Results 1 to 25 of 25

Thread: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

  1. #1
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    I am working at a legal clinic for practical training for my law degree.

    I met a client on Friday (yesterday) and she needed me to get a contract authenticated because it is the only copy and the matter has fallen into dispute and will be litigated.

    I took the paper to court in a brown folder, carried it around all morning, and FORGOT it somewhere.

    I never did the notary part and there is no other copies.

    I just realized now that I have lost it.

    Should I wait until Monday and go try to find it, or tell her first or what? I should email my supervisor but I am so embarassed.

  2. #2
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Oh wow.

    The longer you wait, the worse it will be. If they don't fire you, know they REALLY like you.

  3. #3
    High_Heel_Lover
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    oh man no clue! I think it's better to call now.

  4. #4
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    718
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    I know it is the weekend, but any chance you can retrace your steps for the most likely places it might be? There may be a simple answer to this, and nobody would be the wiser. If you absolutely feel it is lost, I certainly would be up front about it as soon as possible.

    Good luck--I've gone through moments like this in jobs too, but the sun will shine again.
    JK Jim

  5. #5
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    The courtroom where I was on Friday was hearing the last case of the day, so it it possible the folder might still be there, or maybe someone found it and handed it to the clerk.

    I am really tempted to wait until Monday to go back and check, but I have a bad feeling about sitting on this all weekend.

  6. #6
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Quote Originally Posted by 242_fair View Post
    The courtroom where I was on Friday was hearing the last case of the day, so it it possible the folder might still be there, or maybe someone found it and handed it to the clerk.

    I am really tempted to wait until Monday to go back and check, but I have a bad feeling about sitting on this all weekend.
    Can you go there now? Is there maybe a security guard there over the weekend that can escort you to the courtroom so you can look?

  7. #7
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    718
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    I see your worry--no chance you can call in some favors and ask the clerk (call at home--?) -- at least then you would know...or maybe get into the building yourself and retrace your steps?
    JK Jim

  8. #8
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    718
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Cameron and I are thinking the same thing at the same time! Obviously, we're rooting for you!
    JK Jim

  9. #9
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Ok I am putting on some clothes and going up there right now. There might be a guard or something.

  10. #10
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Good Luck!

  11. #11
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    718
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Let us know what happens!
    JK Jim

  12. #12
    Banned
    Joined
    May 2007
    Location
    Schwarzefornia
    Posts
    2,410
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Quote Originally Posted by 242_fair View Post
    I met a client on Friday (yesterday) and she needed me to get a contract authenticated because it is the only copy and the matter has fallen into dispute and will be litigated.

    Should I wait until Monday and go try to find it, or tell her first or what? I should email my supervisor but I am so embarassed.
    What a drag, 242_fair!

    Looks like you'll be visiting the courthouse just after dawn on Monday morning...

    Questions: What is your timeline for returning the contract? How many rooms did you visit at the courthouse? Do you have a direct number to the court clerk(s) or department(s) that you visited?

    In my experience, clerks and bailiffs are typically respectful of documents and generic contracts rarely interest the public. IMO, it could be perceived as more irresponsible were you to declare the contract "lost" before actually searching the courthouse for it on Monday.

    Depending on your relationship with your supervisor, you might want to give them a "heads up", but you still have an obligation to perform due diligence by searching thoroughly for the missing contract before notifying the client.
    Remember, "Possession is 9/10ths of the law."

    Good luck!

  13. #13
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    The contract should be ready next Friday. I only was in 1 room at court. I made small talk with the Clerk and he noticed where I was sitting (if that helps). I don't have any phone numbers for the courthouse and they never answer the phone anyway.

  14. #14
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Hey...you were leaving 10 minutes ago..get going girl! Get your contract back!

  15. #15
    Banned
    Joined
    Feb 2007
    Location
    ATX
    Posts
    3,502
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    oh noes! keep us posted, good luck!

  16. #16
    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    The middle of a field in the south texas countryside...
    Posts
    4,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Awe, this sucks, I'm sorry! Gooood luck!

  17. #17
    Veteran Member Casey4Now's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Among the Yahoos
    Posts
    231
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    I also work for a law firm (Paralegal) and for the most part the senior attorney is always misplacing everthing. Numerous times he has left the file at court. Good news is.. I have always been able to retrieve them, even after months. If you left the contract behind at the court house the likelyhood of it still being there is great. I would call the Judge's clerk first thing Monday morning, they should be able to tell you if it is there.

    I know you can't help but worry, it seems that my weekends end up that I am constantly worried that I missed an importat item, but knock on wood it has not turned bad yet and I've been doing this for 11 years.

    Just be sure to call first thing Monday I am sure if it was left there it is still there.

  18. #18
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Tell someone right away! The longer you wait, the worse it will be. Keep in mind that you are just human, and humans make mistakes sometimes. If you try to hide it and lie about it, it will be worse in the end.

    Good luck. I hope you find it, but if you don't I'm sure someone can draw up another document from scratch.


    Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!


  19. #19
    Veteran Member Casey4Now's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Among the Yahoos
    Posts
    231
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Also if this contract is a land record it would have been recorded by the Register of Deeds. You may be able to obtain a copy there. If you want to tell me what the contrat was I may be able to lend a few leads on where to search for available documentation. Trust me people from the office call me on the weekends to help them find the remote. LOL, I am really good at tracking shit.

  20. #20
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    9,746
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 50 Times in 31 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    After you get back - if you didn't get it back, I think you need to call your supervisor. Like, it is a complete disaster, but you obviously aren't the first person to lose a sensitive document. It's also better presentation to call her now and say "This is a disaster and this is what I'm doing to fix it" than wait until you have no more ideas and say "This is a disaster and I have no options." Retrace your steps - as completely as possible, tonight, now, right now and fill in the gaps tomorrow, and then fill in those gaps on monday.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

  21. #21
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    That was a waste of time, I couldn't get in the building.

    Lets see, I went to court, then drugstore, then a friend's car, then a bar, then subway ride home, and I only remember having it at the court, although I could have had it in the drugstore...

  22. #22
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Well..we'll keep out fingers crossed for you for Monday. Make sure you are there when they open up.

    And if the building is shut up...at least you know it isnt going anywhere if it IS there.

  23. #23
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    718
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Good luck with this--we'll be thinking good thoughts!
    JK Jim

  24. #24
    Newbie
    Joined
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    6
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    Exhaust every possibility you can come up with before contacting your supervisor. As a supervisor I don't want to hear about any problems from a subordinate until they have reached the end of their attempts at correcting a problem. However, when they have come to that point and don't have a resolution, they better come to me right then. Chances are I can help them, but I don't want them running to me for every single thing that comes up, they should be able to handle most things on their own.

    With that said, go by all the places you visited and ask if it was found by someone. If you can't get into the courthouse this weekend, go by there first thing Monday morning. The courthouse should be the last place you check since you're having to wait for it to open. If you don't find it at the courthouse, call your supervisor immediately. This will still give them enough time to develop a plan for getting another copy. Don't bother with telling them over the weekend, chances are the avenues they would use to get another copy won't be available except during the week.

  25. #25
    God/dess FrustratedBunny's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2006
    Location
    New Orleans, LA
    Posts
    2,457
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: I have made a terrible mistake... what to do?

    I hope you can find it. You're human though so don't beat yourself up over it. I know an attorney who lost a deposition transcript. He thinks he left it on a plane but he wasn't sure.

Similar Threads

  1. Made a mistake (please be nice)
    By Ilovetodance in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 09-14-2006, 07:21 AM
  2. Made a mistake
    By Ilovetodance in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 07-20-2006, 12:48 AM
  3. I made a mistake of going out with a customer
    By NewbieTx in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 09-23-2004, 12:55 PM
  4. made mistake how can i get him back?
    By lady jada in forum Hustle Hut
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-12-2004, 10:36 PM
  5. I made a horrible mistake....
    By Chelle in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 49
    Last Post: 09-18-2003, 09:24 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •