Dear Ms. McLaughlin:
My thanks go out to you and all of the members who aided me in my search for a bates numbering system utilizing labels. By utilizing e-mail, within a matter of minutes, I had several great suggestions concerning my request for help. Additionally, I received an inquiry from another person who received your e-mail (forwarding mine) that was interested in receiving whatever ideas I learned of through "cyber-space." Because of the ease and speed of e-mail, my questions were answered promptly and I felt I had made new friends through this new networking tool. I was reminded of the television commercial that used the line, "and so on, and so on, and so on...." as I heard from legal assistants from all corners of this great State. Thanks again to all of you who took the time to respond to my request for help. E-mail is a valuable networking tool of which we all should take advantage.
Sincerely,
Sue A. Comstock,
Victoria, TX
Dear Ms. McLaughlin:
I just finished reading the article "The Lying Game" by Ellen Lockwood, CLA in the Fall 1998 edition of the Texas Paralegal Journal and felt I had to respond. I was very, very disappointed in and shocked by the article.
Ms. Lockwood asks "When is it acceptable to lie?" "If it is acceptable to lie sometimes, how much of a lie can be told?" and "Is the omission of information the same as lying?" I really am shocked that the first two questions could even be asked by any reputable legal assistant. In addition, I also strongly resent her implication that ". . . most of would agree that it is acceptable, even necessary, . . . " and ". . . the same people would probably agree that lying (or omitting) is often useful and sometimes necessary." I don't know what "people" she is referring to but I don't think they are representative of the legal community and I have worked in the legal field for 15 years.
"When is it acceptable to lie?" Never. It is not acceptable to lie. It is not necessary to lie. Ms. Lockwood may rationalize it all she wants, but it is not acceptable and it is not necessary. The instances Ms. Lockwood provides as times when lying is "acceptable" are ridiculous. They could easily be handled by other responses. I am not required to give out any information just because it is requested and I am certainly not expected to lie to avoid giving out information. A little forethought to how I might have to respond when questioned about a situation eliminates the easy out of telling a lie. Instead of looking for ways to condone her lying, perhaps she should be looking for ways to avoid the problem and showing remorse that she has lied. Lying may be prevalent in our society but it does much more harm than good.
How does Ms. Lockwood think she has any credibility with anyone when she so easily resorts to lying when she feels pressured or when she just doesn't want to respond? Contrary to her position that ". . . lying and omitting information is often a part of our jobs," I think truth and integrity are essential elements of our jobs.
Trust is basic to our relationships with everyone-our families, our employers, our coworkers, our clients, opposing parties. If people believe they can trust us, even if they do not like our responses or do not agree with our responses, we can expect respect and usually cooperation. We cannot command respect and trust when we treat it so frivolously.
The legal profession is constantly struggling to improve its image and defend itself against charges of a lack of standards and ethics. Ms. Lockwood's article is shameful and tends to confirm what many have assumed or want to believe. I am embarrassed by her and for her.
Sincerely,
Bonnie J. Lewis
404 Arrington Road
Diboll, Texas 75941
Member Legal Assistants Division
State Bar of Texas