45 MinuTeS AT A TiMe : A DAy in The LiFe OF The CLerK ’ S ATTOrney
Government lawyers Section Chairs : Christian Katchuk - 13th Judicial Circuit Court & Lyndsey Siara - 13th Judicial Circuit Court
The fact that the Clerk ’ s office serves the public in so many ways means that the matters are often like bar exam fact patterns come to life .
The work performed by the Clerk ’ s 600-plus employees involves a myriad of laws : from probate , family , public records , employment , real property , civil , criminal to official records . There are three attorneys handling all legal matters that “ walk through the door ,” either by phone , email , or in-person over the counter .
Sometimes a quick answer suffices . But the fact that the Clerk ’ s office serves the public in so many ways means that the matters are often like bar exam fact patterns come to life . The legal work is unrelenting . I make lists . They are constant moving targets as the day progresses . It starts with a concrete plan , but changes rapidly .
It is 8:00 a . m .: I look up , and review my whiteboard noting my priorities list from last Friday . Below that , I review my daily checklist in 45-minute increments . I will dedicate the remaining 15 minutes per hour to tasks that crop up or a coffee break . On the shelf to my left is a timer preset to 45 minutes . I press start .
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