I have dictated my legal briefs, motions and summaries using a variety of formats over the years. Full size cassettes, micro cassettes and digital recorders. About 4 years ago, I tried voice recognition software, which I now use exclusively. I wear a head set like an air traffic controller, or a help desk tech.
I really like the system, though I am the only lawyer in our office using it. Turn around time is cut to nothing.
There is only one downside. While the software is incapable of misspelling a word, it can sometime produce the wrong word....spelled correctly.
Proofreading, my least favorite activity, does become a bit of a challenge. A misspelling will often jump out at you. A wrong word, spelled correctly? Not so much.
So, a few errors have crept into my final work product. I wish I had compiled a list over the years.
However, I remember one mistake very well.
I had reported a case settlement to my carrier. I indicated that the case had been resolved at a facilitation with attorney "Stool Weiner". For those few who may not know, I had meant to say "Stu Weiner", the dean of Southeast Michigan facilitators/mediators. In fact, I believe there is a proposed local court rule under consideration in Wayne County that would require a Court Order to use someone other than Stu.
Anyway, the adjuster caught the error and kind of chuckled about it when next we spoke. Well, I said, it was a shitty case. Which caused a huge burst of laughter from the adjuster, as I hoped it would. I will say, from that day, I got a lot of work from that adjuster....right up to the time she retired. So it goes.
Food fight y'all...I meant, Good Night to All.
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