Being a legal assistant is a high stress position. We are the last step in a long line of steps that ensures pleadings and documents get filed and out on time to whomever they need to go. Everyone wants everything done yesterday, even if they only got their part of it to you ten minutes ago. It’s commonplace for us to take on all responsibility for a project and get it done in an … Read more
Sep 25, 2018
LEGAL ASSISTANT’S CORNER: Safeguard Yourself Against Burnout
Aug 29, 2018
Sovereign Immunity – A License for Abuse?
At what point is it no longer appropriate for government officials to hide behind sovereign immunity in order to get away with committing crimes? Check out a recent abuse of power story involving Alabama sheriffs pocketing funds earmarked to feed inmates leaving inmates underfed and/or fed unfit food.
What is sovereign immunity?
“Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that protects a sovereign body (ie, the federal or state government and their respective agencies) from being … Read more
Jul 30, 2018
The Geezer Gallery Revisited
We are delighted to announce that we have once again partnered with The Geezer Gallery, a nonprofit art organization featuring juried artwork created by local artists aged 60 and above, to exhibit works of art in our offices. The initial installation was a hit and the second installation is now complete! Come visit our offices to view art pieces from featured artist Melody Cleary, a painter and papers artist:
Featured artist Tekoah Buchanan, a … Read more
Jul 24, 2018
LEGAL ASSISTANT’S CORNER: Time is Always of the Essence
Legal assistants have chosen a career where time is always of the essence. We understand that the matters we work on daily are often among the most important problems that will occur in our clients’ lives. Everything in our work world comes with strict deadlines and a lot of pressure to get it done right, on time and without unnecessary expense to clients. In a word, we deal with loads of stress every single day.… Read more
May 25, 2018
LATIN LESSONS: Per Se
The Latin term “per se” peppers many conversations though it is often used incorrectly.
The literal translation of per se is “by itself”; however, many Americans use it as a synonym for “quite” and “exactly”. The phrase is so misused that it has won an entry in Urban Dictionary. When utilized correctly the phrase pinpoints a single element of a larger thing, e.g., I didn’t enjoy the movie per se, but the cinematography was … Read more
May 18, 2018
LATIN LESSONS: Et Al., Etc. and Inter Alia
The terms “et al.”, “etc.” and “inter alia” are similar, though different in meaning.
Et al. is an abbreviation for et alia (neutral), et alii (masculine) or et aliae (feminine). When translated from Latin, it means “and others”. Etc. is an abbreviation for et cetera (commonly written without the space in English), translated from Latin as “and the rest”. The literal Latin translation for inter alia is “among other things”.
Et al. is used at … Read more
May 17, 2018
LEGAL ASSISTANT’S CORNER: We Do Know What We Know
One of the readers of my previous article commented: “While I don’t know everything, I do know what I know.” Despite my admission that legal assistants don’t know everything related to law, there are circumstances in which we do know everything.
Legal assistants are the detailers of the legal profession. We make the attorney’s vision of their solution to a client’s problem come to fruition. We get ‘er done.
Many attorneys only understand their part … Read more
May 1, 2018
LATIN LESSONS: Habeas Corpus
A Latin legal term that pops up in headlines fairly frequently is “habeas corpus”.
Habeas corpus is a legal procedure to keep the government from indefinitely detaining someone without showing cause. The literal Latin translation for habeas corpus is you shall have the body.
Any person can petition the court to issue a writ of habeas corpus ordering the detainer to present the detainee in court along with proof justifying why the detainee should continue … Read more
Apr 24, 2018
LEGAL ASSISTANT’S CORNER: We Don’t Know It All
I work in a small general practice law firm. Despite that description, I am not familiar with every area of law. There are dozens of areas of law, some broad in scope and others very specific. Some law firms opt to practice in limited areas of law while others, like the one I work in, practice in several areas of law. There are benefits and drawbacks to each law firm model; however, I prefer working … Read more
Apr 17, 2018
Drum Roll, Please!
Today, April 17, is National Haiku Day – let us all break out our pencils and pay homage to the Japanese art form! Without further ado, here is mine (with tongue solidly in cheek):
Snakes, spiders, rats, wolves
Slither, creepy, dirty, sly
The den of lawyers
Don’t worry, I plan on sticking to my day job.
© 4/17/2018 Heather M. Carr of Hunt & Associates, P.C. All rights reserved.… Read more
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