DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys - Driving Under the Influence of alcohol - DWI
TOLL FREE HELP LINES: Bankruptcy (866) 233-3092, Divorce (866) 233-3093, Injury (866) 233-3098, DUI (866) 233-3099, Criminal Defense (866) 233-3094
  FAQ: Bankruptcy Lawyer | Divorce Lawyer | Injury Lawyer | DUI Attorney | Criminal Defense Attorney

News Flash: Legal Assistants Read Bathroom Walls

Legal Article Guide
By: Laura McDonald

I was one of the younger kids in my class, and graduated at 17. Upon graduation, I was hired immediately by a city attorney. First full-time job - it was definitely my baptism by fire. I enjoyed it, really enjoyed it...well, except for having to deal with that older woman across the hall. She was the real estate paralegal and worked directly for my boss. Best description I can share is that she was a very handsome woman. Know the type? Not beautiful, but very attractive. Her regal style literally commanded respect.

My personality is outgoing and I don't fear many things in life, but that woman intimidated me. Apparently the intimidation I felt fed my desire to please and impress her. I was rarely successful. Whew, tough nut to crack.

One day I was typing a Last Will and Testament for a waiting client. As the paralegal wandered by, she noticed me using correcting tape. "Is that a will?" "Yes." "Do I see what I think I see, you're using correcting tape?" "...yes? Almost finished..." "Take it out and start all over again, you must never make a mistake on a will, even if corrected."

Now this was a few years ago. It was in the days before word processing. All right, it was several years ago. When we used tiny strips of correcting tape and had to line it up just right to rehit the incorrect stroke and hope it adequately covered the typo. Okay, it was several years ago. Okay, many. Fine.

I got so flustered I wound up wasting several sheets of heavier gauge special will paper before I finished a perfect document. Obviously, the incident impressed me to still easily recall it today. But she was right. Overkill, perhaps, but shouldn't all documents prepared by law firms be typo-free? Clients pay for professional advice and the preparation of official documents. Shouldn't those documents be perfect?

Excellent proofreading is a great skill for a paralegal to develop. A paralegal should check and recheck her work product, and not only her own but also the work done by others around her. Proofread work done by your boss. Proofread work done by your secretary. Proofread the work done by other paralegals down the hall. Proofread advertising on busses. Read the bathroom walls at dance clubs, no doubt some editing could be done there! Overkill?

That particular story ends well. Over time, I felt less intimidated and ultimately gained that woman's respect. And friendship. I learned a valuable lesson - backspace and delete keys are pretty darn handy for invisible corrections.

Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She has many years of experience in the areas of personal injury (accident related and medical malpractice), workers’ compensation, civil litigation, family, environmental, and corporate law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. She is employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her website is: http://www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com. Laura is available to encourage anyone interested in entering the paralegal field or seeking to improve related skills.


Bookmark & Share Articles:


Leave a comment to News Flash: Legal Assistants Read Bathroom Walls

  • Name (required)
  • Mail (required but not published)
  • Comment / Rate this hotel
    Terrible
    Fair
    Okay
    Good
    Excellent
  • Please enter:  


No Responses to News Flash: Legal Assistants Read Bathroom Walls

Average Rating: (From 0 Votes)


Request a Case Evaluation with a Local Attorney

Regardless of your legal situation, a local attorney can help explain the legal process involved and answer any questions you have along the way. Fill out the form below for your case evaluation with a local attorney.

Latest Legal Articles:

  • Mesothelioma Settlements
  • Identity Theft: 5 Keys To Protecting Your Identity
  • Privacy in the Workplace
  • Franchised Outlets Must Maintain their books as per the Confidential Operations Manual
  • Advance Planning: The Advantages Of Living Wills
  • What Accident Lawyers In Staten Island Can Do For You
  • New Jersey DWI Penalties
  • Five Steps To Full Compensation For Your Personal Injury Claim
  • Finding a Bankruptcy Attorney in New Hampshire
  • Does Software Solve Sarbanes Oxley Compliance Issues?
  • Child Support Laws and the History
  • Identity Theft May Be on the Run!
  • How To Avoid Probate
  • Lawsuit Legal Finance! How Does It Work?
  • Other Segments to Law Enforcement
  • Sue Instead of Fixing the Problem
  • Durable Power of Attorney - "Scope of the Agency"
  • Criminal Defense Dissociative Disorder
  • The History of Sarbanes Oxley
  • Limit Your Liability to Protect Your Assets
  • Legal Secretary Jobs: Gatekeepers of the Law
  • Identity Theft Protection - Not Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft Can Cost You a Fortune
  • Siding Lawsuit
  • Litigation Financing
  • Travel Fraud - What to Look For
  • One Message to All Law-Obedient in the World
  • Ten Social Security Disability Mistakes to Avoid in Virginia
  • Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
  • Are You a Victim of Identity Theft?
  • Litigation Financing Companies
  • What is a Will and Why Do We Need One?
  • Legality of NonCompete Agreements in California
  • After the Revocable Living Trust is Signed... Now What?
  • What Are Your Legal Rights When It Comes To Children?
  • Fidel Castro Was a Law Student
  • Recent Identity Theft Statistics
  • Live on Forever (Or Why You Need an Ethical Will)
  • Franchisee Attorneys Purport To Believe That All Franchisors Misrepresent
  • Discrimination and the Law
  • Are You Really Safe From Identity Theft?
  • Why Limited Liability Might Not Be As Limited As You Think
  • Identity Theft: The G.I. Blues
  • Resolve Disputes With Your Partners Before They Happen
  • Colorado Criminal Lawyers
  • Attorneys And What They're Good For - Part II
  • Identity Theft Hits Home
  • Louisiana Lawyers
  • Is it Time to Have Your Estate Plan Reviewed?
  • What Is A Judgment Lien?
  • Franchise Computer System Clauses in Home Based Franchise Businesses
  • Florida Personal Injury Claims
  • How Much Does Justice Cost?
  • Rock, Paper, Scissors and Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • How Your Arrest Records Might Haunt You
  • The Basic Elements of Contracts
  • The Rex Files: Your Dog and The Law
  • Financing A Lawsuit
  • Only Your Wisconsin Child Custody Lawyer Knows Best
  • California Easy Divorce
  • Automobile Lemon Laws
  • Useful Information About Whistleblower
  • Ask, And It Will Be Given: Disclosure
  • Dental Negligence - Stupid Decisions Under The White Light
  • Texas DWI Laws (Know Your Rights)
  • How To Stop Identity Theft
  • Criminal Identity Theft - A Step Beyond
  • Should You Hire An Accident Attorney
  • Legal Terms - A Quick Guide
  • Offer In Compromise Lawyers
  • Fen-Phen Settlement Lawyer: Lawsuit Facts
  • Social Security Records - Why It's So Important to Protect Them
  • "No Win...No Pay...No Risk" Lawsuit Loan Bridges Financial Gap
  • San Diego DUI Laws
  • Identity Theft is Rather Silly if You Think About it
  • Will there be Unintended Consequences from the Supreme Court Decision in eBay v. MercExchange?
  • Finding an Injury Lawyer
  • Liability of ISPS for Content Hosted by Them
  • Getting a Mesothelima Lawyer to Fight Against Lung Cancer
  • Protecting Your Important Files
  • Considering Filing a Lawsuit? – 8 Important Facts to Consider Before You Sue.
  • Arkansas Child Support and Enforcement
  • Living Will Formality
  • Tax Attorneys
  • Criminal Law Information
  • Junk Faxes - New California Law Challenged
  • Wills
  • Consumers Beware of Unscrupulous Contractors and Attorneys
  • Delaware Incorporation - A Very Business Friendly State
  • Choosing the Right Lawyer for the Job
  • California DUI Lawyers
  • Identity Theft - Guard Your Children's Social Security Numbers
  • Probate Records
  • Fundamentals of Agency Law
  • Texas Bankruptcy Lawyers
  • Your Guide To Legal Forms
  • Lawyers' Professional Liability Insurance for the Distressed Risk
  • Preparing For Immigration Reform Now
  • Cases Involving Defective Products
  • Protect Yourself From Holiday ID Theft
  • Winning Your Social Security Disability Claim: 15 Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make!

  • Latest Legal Guide

    TOLL FREE HELP LINES:

    - Bankruptcy (866) 233-3092
    - Divorce (866) 233-3093
    - Injury (866) 233-3098
    - DUI (866) 233-3099
    - Criminal Defense
      (866) 233-3094