INSULT

Being a "non-FAMILY" member, or "PEON", I expect to be insulted by members of the FAMILY on a regular basis.

Today, my OFFICE MANAGER insulted me on a whole new level. For privacy purposes let's call him DON-BOY. DON-BOY is the son of DON-DADDY, the named owner of the firm. DON-BOY thinks he is an attorney, but he is not. He is just a lowlife office manager that needs to leech off of other people to get things done. Incidentally, I think I see a pattern that I attract these people in my life (people that are dependent on me to do their work). I will have to talk to my SHRINK about that.

Moving on. DON-BOY does have years of experience acting as a "negotiator" of sorts on cases, but he must always defer to an attorney. The problem is, DON-DADDY has given DON-BOY full authority to control the way the office is run. DON-DADDY is available, but basically just rubber stamps everything DON-BOY says or does. I am sure this is a problem that many of you have, but the dynamic of the FAMILY causes this problem to be out of control. For instance, imagine you are at work and your spouse constantly tells your secretary how to type a brief. Maybe your spouse does have some understanding, but your secretary is gonna get pissed real fast.

Okay, so I have been rambling on and I still haven't gotten to the insult. DON-BOY was in a meeting with me today. We were with two other attorneys (SMART OLD HAG & THE INFANT). We were reviewing a brief that I prepared for grammar problems, clerical errors, and any suggestions. This is part and parcel of our practice, and we do it intentionally to help weed out the problems that always pop up because we are so busy.

So THE INFANT gives one minor suggestion - no problem. He's been at the firm for less than 6 months, so we don't let him say anything anyway.

Next, SMART OLD HAG gives some worthwhile suggestions, and we discuss the same. Here's where the insult comes in. DON-BOY, in his everlasting quest to be "smart", says that he agrees with SMART OLD HAG, and asks her if she wants to make the changes. Maybe I am blowing this out of proportion, but this is my baby. To SMART OLD HAG's credit, she immediately said that I could and should do it, and I immediately and simultaneously said the same thing. He backed down right away, but I am tired of his nonsense. This non-attorney is now trying to tell me how to practice. No f-in way!! Next time I am going to skip the review step and just serve my motion/response and see what he can do about it.

Besides, my own practice is growing. Can't wait to tell him what he and the FAMILY can do with their crap job! Well, alas, it is very late again. I will try to remeber to update this blog more often, and to follow-up on what I said I would reply to.

-John Doe, Esq.