Comments on: Listserves: I don’t know if they’re evil, but they’re damn entertaining http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:42:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Gideon http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10828 Gideon Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:54:41 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10828 As I was driving around after my last comment, it occurred to me that there might be another reason why you and I view listserves differently. I work in an office with colleagues and supervisors and hundreds of other attorneys in the system that I can call if I need to. Maybe it is different for the solo, who can't walk down the hall and ask the question. Do you think that has anything to do with the relative value we place on these listserves? Or did it always form a part of your opinion and I just missed it? (It's possible. I'm stupid like that.) As I was driving around after my last comment, it occurred to me that there might be another reason why you and I view listserves differently.

I work in an office with colleagues and supervisors and hundreds of other attorneys in the system that I can call if I need to. Maybe it is different for the solo, who can’t walk down the hall and ask the question.

Do you think that has anything to do with the relative value we place on these listserves? Or did it always form a part of your opinion and I just missed it? (It’s possible. I’m stupid like that.)

]]> By: Gideon http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10822 Gideon Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:57:52 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10822 I think I have a problem with relying on them. Knowing that you can always ask a question there in a do-or-die situation and get an answer. It's fine as one of the alternatives for sources of help and information, but over-dependence on it (and there are quite a few that operate in that fashion) is dangerous and not good practice. I think I have a problem with relying on them. Knowing that you can always ask a question there in a do-or-die situation and get an answer. It’s fine as one of the alternatives for sources of help and information, but over-dependence on it (and there are quite a few that operate in that fashion) is dangerous and not good practice.

]]> By: Carolyn Elefant http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10819 Carolyn Elefant Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:42:50 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/2007/12/19/listserves-i-dont-know-if-theyre-evil-but-theyre-damn-entertaining/#comment-10819 I stand by my comment that listserves are a lifeline, even for experienced attorneys. For example, haven't you ever made a mistake in a case? Many lawyers who make mistakes are so fearful that they conceal them, often further compounding the error. A listserve gives lawyers a non-threatening environment to describe a mistake and obtain advice on remedial action. In other cases, a listserve can help a lawyer address unexpected problems in a case, such as what to do when a witness dies or you learn that your client in an employment lied on a job application or an EEOC form. I stand by my comment that listserves are a lifeline, even for experienced attorneys. For example, haven’t you ever made a mistake in a case? Many lawyers who make mistakes are so fearful that they conceal them, often further compounding the error. A listserve gives lawyers a non-threatening environment to describe a mistake and obtain advice on remedial action. In other cases, a listserve can help a lawyer address unexpected problems in a case, such as what to do when a witness dies or you learn that your client in an employment lied on a job application or an EEOC form.

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