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Anyone want to run Bain-style cases with me?
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Oh you sweet summer child
Actually this is done as a courtesy! it doesn’t necessarily affect the attorney at all. It’s the secretary that has to retype the questions and set up the responses. if he/she is efficient, they will provide draft responses already typed along with the incoming requests before they even give them to the attorney.
My firms technology was top notch but even when you convert the pdf to Word you have to clean it up. For me it was easier to retype it than it was to read every line for formatting and spacing issues, but to each their own.
As to opposing counsel, treat others as you would want to be treated. Firms do not bill for their secretaries time so are you really saving money by not providing Word documents when you can? Will that change the outcome of the service you provide to your client? Will you win more cases if you are known in the legal field as someone that won’t work with other attorneys. I’ve yet to see the benefit.
The secretaries at my Firm would simply make a phone call to ask for the requests from other offices There was never an issue and most times the attorneys didn’t know or care. They just need the work done.
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Lol, thanks for the kind words.
To me, looks from the responses it’s very local rules specific. Sorry if I offended someone.
Personally, I’m not in NY Big Law. But I’m also not sending or receiving interrogatories via fax.
Yes, but there’s a statue in CA that requires it.
Interesting, I’m in NY so had never seen that before.
Not often asked for in NJ in my matters but if they asked I would provide. Just make sure to scrub your metadata people!
Yes, this is normal.
I practice in several states, and if it is asked for you provide it.
Rising Star
If e-serving I include them along with the pdf’s.
Of course. We don't even wait. We send them the Word version at the same time we serve them with the pdf. It's a professional courtesy.
I’ve gotten word versions in Connecticut before. Glorious
Not required in my jurisdiction, but it is a common courtesy. Often times attorneys won't even know as the legal assistants will call each other to exchange copies.
yes, that is very common! You must not have done much discovery. You will appreciate it when it’s your turn! Have a blessed day!
Always. Years ago (and could still be happening) Wordperfect may have been used. Word is #1 for shell responses.
WordPerfect…. *shutters* 😱
I was always so annoyed by this until someone told me it is commonly done as a courtesy. Had no idea some states require it.
Yeah I’ve literally never done this or heard of this. You learn something new every day!
It isn’t really done in my jurisdiction, so when someone sent it to me, I thought they were being too lazy to take the extra step to convert it to a PDF. Then I discovered it really was so much easier to work with, so I get it now
All the time.
It’s normal practice in Oregon. It may even be in our local rules somewhere, but it’s always just provided.
Common courtesy if asked for in PA and NJ
Same in Texas.
Yes, and I usually send word docs when serving as a matter of professional courtesy so they don't have to ask.
I usually send them in Word as a courtesy.
Me too.