[blindlaw] Formatting Woes

[Angie Matney]

I do my best to use documents that are in the form I need, but
invariably, something isn't exactly as it should be in the final
product. My secretary is responsible for making sure my documents look
Ok before I either send them out to clients or third parties or
distribute them to the partner who gave me the assignment. This was
how it worked when I was a summer associate as well. It is more
efficient for my secretary to do this; it gives me more time to do
more billable work.

I also agree about a braille display. I could not do my job without one.

Angie



On 9/1/13, William Burley <wburley at burley-wilson.com> wrote:
> I agree with this approach. If you don't have access to old forms, maybe the
> firm uses O'Connors forms for your particular state.
>
> Great conversation!
>
> Will Burley
> Burley-Wilson & Associates
> Main: 888-494-0031
> Direct: 832-529-3243
> Web:www.burley-wilson.com
>
> "Virtual Consultants for Your Success"
>
> On Aug 31, 2013, at 7:59 PM, "Russ Thomas" <rthomas at emplmntattorney.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Find out what different formats you will need and then create one form of
>> document for each format. Then when you need a particular format. Open
>> that
>> formatted document and use it. When you create a new document, rename the
>> current document so that you do not compromise the basic form you are
>> using.
>>
>> For example, in California pleadings have to be prepared in a very
>> particular format. We have a default pleading document which we all use
>> --
>> me and my sighted paralegals. Preformatted documents save you a lot of
>> time
>> and eliminate the risk of inconsistent or unacceptable documents.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rahul
>> Bajaj
>> Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 5:09 PM
>> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [blindlaw] Formatting Woes
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I hope this message finds you well.
>> I was wondering if we could have a dialogue about 1 major challenge which
>> I
>> have often  encountered during my internships and which  some of you must
>> have had to confront as well at some point.
>> As I am sure you know, it is not easy for a visually impaired person to
>> format documents as effectively and quickly as a sighted person.
>> Due to this inherent difficulty, it often becomes difficult to complete
>> assignments in a time bound manner, as one has to scrupulously check the
>> formatting of the documents which is not at all easy with a screen
>> reader.
>> The sighted person, who is responsible for assigning the work, generally
>> believes that the  aforementioned delay is due to the fact that the VI
>> person lacks efficiency and competence.
>> This is primarily because most of them do not know how hard it is for a
>> VI
>> person to format documents independently. Another point worth noting is
>> that
>> the VI person cannot overlook evenminor instructions pertaining to the
>> formatting of the documents just  to complete the work quickly,  as that
>> would greatly tarnish his/her image.
>> This problem prevents visually impaired people from truly showcasing
>> their
>> potential which substantially reduces their chances of getting a  job
>> offer.
>> So, what, in your view, is the best way of dealing with this problem?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Rahul
>>
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