A Little Juicy Tidbit From Dorna.

Dorna is our summer intern. She has been working at our offices diligently Monday through Thursdays handling all sorts of legal and administrative matters. Her first post was a big hit.

Here's her second post:

Frantically dispersed throughout my busy days here at Sawday and Drake are the interesting stories from clients. The clients themselves often have, one might say “unique” characters.

What is most striking is the range in background, affluence and age.

One woman, I was told, had just come back from a two-year crack binge, and was starting to get her life back together. A woman I met last year stamped an irrepressible image in my brain. She had the personality of an saint, yet it seemed as though she had forgotten to change out of her sixth-grade catholic school girl uniform, even as the cellulite kicked in and the grooming skills went to an all-time low. Just recently I met a freshly hatched woman who came in for the same services—with her prom picture in hand. It is overwhelming to see that a girl who is only months older than me has already gone through such devastation.

And of course there is the man who jumped off of the roof to get into his own house and ended up breaking both legs.

Aside from the clients, in my work here over the past few months, I’ve learned a lot about the different types of legal writing. I’ve written letters and declarations and have learned who deserves a stern demand versus a cordial salutation.

Frequent phrase #1: It needs to be a nasty letter.

Last week, as I tried to be a good host to my British cousin, my car was towed from the Ralph’s parking lot. I reluctantly paid the $200 towing fee and grasped that it is pointless to argue with people who have so much control over you—or your mode of transport.

Upon returning home, I discovered that my car had a scratch on the front bumper that had not been there before. I guess we all know where I learned to write the letter that I promptly spewed out of Microsoft Word. Hopefully they will pay for the damage. Otherwise, Tow N’ Mow had better be prepared for an 18 year old to file small claims forms against them—forms which she has formed an intimate relationship with.  ; )

Dorna