45 MinuTeS AT A TiMe : A DAy in The LiFe OF The CLerK ’ S ATTOrney
Government lawyers Section
Continued from page 34
I start every day answering emails for various matters , like tax deed inquiries , official records requests about documents for recordation , home solicitation permit applications , public records requests , hearings , and bankruptcy pleadings . When the timer goes off , I add emails needing attention to the list and start on item # 1 : Bond Matters .
I review every surety bond motion filed , then file a response and upload the order for judicial review . I check a report for motions filed that were not served on me and add them to my list . After resetting my timer twice to resolve some of the several dozen motions filed last week ( in 2020 , I reviewed
685 ), I move on to item # 2 : Tax Deeds .
It is 12:00 p . m ., so I grab lunch , more coffee , and return to work . I research return mail to see whether or not a property must be removed from sale for lack of notice . I call the tax collector ’ s attorney and he agrees with my determination . My phone rings again before I put it down . It is my colleague calling for an opinion on an operational matter and wanting me to review a vendor contract . I then review claims , send emails requesting additional documentation or notify claimants about their claim ’ s status , and finally I approve check requests ( in 2020 , the Clerk disbursed $ 3,540,426.42 in surplus ).
Around 3:00 p . m ., I reassess things to do before the end of the day . Before I know it , I hear my timer beep a little before 6:00 p . m . I scan all four email inboxes , jot down new tasks for tomorrow and rearrange my list to include anything left over from today . Tuesdays are usually quieter , I think , as I shut down my computer for the night . I reset my timer and chuckle , because I know I will be doing a similar dance tomorrow . No two days are ever the same at the Clerk ’ s Office , and I would not want it any other way . n
Author : Shelby K . Russ - Hillsborough County Clerk ’ s Office
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