Slow Week at Work

Well it has been a long week here at my internship, but not because of too much work; it is because of having to catch up with the smaller projects because a lack of real work. This week was focused on learning how to send closed cases to the National Record Center for archiving. We had to go through hundreds of folders, paper by paper to make sure we were not staging duplicates and other documents that do not require archiving. What a pain in the butt. Tedious and time consuming. We also had a chance to clean up the database before the new fiscal year gets into full swing. However, one thing that was not worked on was the budget. We are working off of a continuing resolution and money is super tight. Everything from computers to paper clips needs to be examined for need before it can be purchased. Soon a real budget could be passed and the purse strings may get a little looser.

Having a great time learning legal work and how the process flows. Keep posted as I will have more riveting information later as time progresses. Until then, be safe.

Theresa

A New Dawning

Ah.......the rise of a new Fiscal Year. More budgetary headaches, less money, the need for more stuff...the fun has just begun. As I start out a new fiscal year with my organization, we are tasked to do more with less money. As usual fashion over the past decade, we are starting out with a temporary continuing resolution to carry us through until Congress can decide how much allowance they should give us. Reminds me of the days of dad opening his wallet and deciding how much green I could have. Unfortunately, not enough green at this job means that cuts have to be made. Paper is less and less so copying is decreased. Electronic filing is now the way to go.

Even though we are short on funds, other companies that we deal with are not. They still slay us with mounds and mounds of paperwork. This year starts out looking like I will become a reviewer of documents for a short while. A good chance to really learn what the case is about. I look forward to the future here (with or without funding.)

Theresa

End of a Fiscal Year

Well....the end of the fiscal year has come and what an end it was. My organizatoin was tasked with filing as many cases as possible with the District Court. So much work goes into this process. It actually started months ago with what began in an investigative stage. Now, we are at the litigation stage and that is where my office takes over. Now that they are filed, the pretrial litigiation period starts. So much more to do before we can even reach a court date. Deadlines are set, motions are drafted, court decisions are made by the assigned judge. What a roller coaster ride of emotions. Busy times, slow times, confused times are all ahead of me. I will keep you all posted on my progress. Should be a very interesting time for the office. Hope to learn as much as a I can during my internship about the civil court process. This will be a real eye opener to say the least.

Best of luck to me,

Theresa

End of the week and time for a refreshment

Well, it has been a full week here and the work never let up. The end of the fiscal year is fast upon us and yet there is still much left to do. Timelines are approaching and sometimes it feels as though we will not make it. However, with hard work and perseverance it will all get done. Today I spent most of the day copying and mailing files to other attorneys offices. I have also spend a lot of time on the phone arranging for depositions and court reporters. It seems that when you get one step done, 2 more steps appear that need to be handled. How someone does this job on a permanent basis is way beyond me. However, given a chance to work full time here would be a plus. I have learned much in the short time that I have been here and look forward to learning much more in the weeks to come.

Theresa

Appellate Level Work

I have been working all morning on coping, scanning and emailing trial exhibits for a case that went to appeal a few months back. There must have been over 500 pages that I had to work with. However, I am only half done. I now need to do the same thing with the Defendant's exhibits that were admitted by the court. This will take more time as I need to locate the exhibits in our vast paper disaster area. After this daughnting task, I will have to assemble them for our attorneys to use as well as the D.C. attorneys who actually handle the appeal at their level.

Not to worry, even though my little brain is about to explode, I will survive this little escapade and be ready to move on to bigger and better tasks. One little tidbit that I will touch on in a later blog is the difference in leadership styles and techniques that exist between two Federal Government agencies. For now.....back to my paper mountain.

Good Day all,

Theresa

After Graduation

I have decided that I want to stay with ASU after finishig my undergraduate. I am looking at the Graduate programs and debating Urban or Public Policy. I am tinkering with the idea of doing a dual Master's. Any thoughts from my fellow students? I have always had the passion for urban work, but after taking some PUP and PAF courses I am torn. Both offer what I am looking for and either one (or both) will certainly give me that leg up needed out in the world. I have greatly enjoyed my time with ASU and look forward to staying with them no matter what choice I made. Is anyone else out there looking at staying on and pursuing higher education? I look forward to hearing from you.

Theresa

Legal Work

After working for a few weeks in the legal environment, I have acheived a greated appreciation for the court systems. When it comes to the rights of the alleged wrongdoers, those in the civil courts are afforded just as much protection as those accused of crimes in the criminal side of the justice system. As with the prosecution of a criminal case, the plaintiff has the burden of proof. We have to show proof that discrimination, regardless of how slight, has occurred before a jury can find for the side of the Government. If that is not done, then the case must fall for the side of the defendant. Clear and convincing evidence must exist for a findings of what amounts to guilty. The Government and the other side are given over  a year to build there case by taking depositions, gathering information, interviewing witnesses and submitting many, many briefs to the Judge. Nationwide, there are hundreds of cases being litigated. There are many more at the lower investigative stages. I will report more about that in future blogs. For now, the legal side is giving me more than a run for my money.

Happy days everyone,

Theresa