Week 2, Post 1

Week 2

1. Describe the software and versions, tools, and equipment used in the office.

a. The software we use:

i.   Amicus, which is used for booking appointments and docketing phone calls;

ii.  OutLook, which is used for emails and will be taking the place of Amicus;

iii. DivorceMate, which we are familiar with; and

iv.  PC Law, which we are also familiar with.

b. The tools/equipment we use:

i.   Xerox copying/scanning/faxing machine;

ii.  Three computers, two new and one older;

iii. Lots of sticky notes, highlighters, permanent markers, and paperclips etc.

2. Are you using/will you use any of the legal software learned in your program?  Explain.  If you are using new software, was it easy/difficult to adapt to.  Why?

a. The only new software I was unfamiliar with was Amicus, but it’s essentially like Outlook and very easy to use.

b. I have not personally used PC Law, or DivorceMate since my computer is not hooked up with it. I do use DivorceMate documents that are saved in the DivorceMate – Shortcut folder, just not the program itself.

3. Describe some of the documents you have been preparing.  Do not use client names.

a. I have collaborated on a Case Conference Brief, completed a Form 15, Financial Form, and Settlement Conference Brief on my own, as well as a Cumulative Table of Contents.

4. Do you have any accounting responsibilities?  Explain what they are.

a. The only monetary responsibility I’ve had so far is to deposit General and Trust cheques into the account.

5. Have you been assigned a specific project?  Explain your role.

a. I was assigned the role of scanning, copying, saving the document in a specific folder that I made, and creating an Excel spreadsheet for a Respondent’s Disclosure. I have also been assigned the responsibility of procuring a Cumulative Table of Contents from the courthouse, which I used to create our own updated one after confirming what documents we were missing (mostly from the Respondent.)

6. Are you feeling more comfortable?  Why or why not?

a. I am feeling more comfortable. The first week was a balderdash of new information which made me feel a little overwhelmed. They did not do things as I expected or anticipated; but I adapted, and learned to listen better to their instructions after a few failed attempts of mishearing on my part.

7. Is there any subject matter you wish we had covered in class?  Explain.  How are you managing to become more knowledgeable about this subject?

a. Everything I have experienced so far has been covered in my 2.5 years taking the Office Administration – Legal program with the exception of Form 15, but it is understandable why we didn't cover it as Family Law is just too extensive to cover in one semester.

8. Are you drawing on skills learned in interpersonal communications, office procedures, math, bookkeeping or legal classes?

a. I have drawn on information gleaned in Office Procedures, the legal classes and Interpersonal Communication, but I have had no need to use the information learned in Math or the Bookkeeping classes as of yet.

9. Have you had an opportunity to interact with clients?  How? Was this easy or difficult?  Explain.

a. I don’t really have anything to do with the clients aside from showing them to the boardroom and offering them refreshments when they are here to see Heather. But as of yesterday, I was given the opportunity to speak with a potentially new client on the phone while I asked him intake questions.