On Tuesday, I learned how to answer the phone. "Thank you for calling the Levine Law office, this is Megan, how can I help you," was my line. Sometimes I take messages for Mr. Levine or my on-site mentor and other times I just transfer the call over to them. Along with this, I also learned more about the filing system and how they keep track of documents and clients at the firm. I worked on some of my research during my free time. I have found that many of the cases do not involve social media being used as evidence, but being an instigator to a disagreement. A lot of the time, it is mentioned in the cases that a parent got upset with the other parent due to their children's posts on social media, whether it is pictures posted on Myspace or written posts on Facebook. However, there are some cases that I have found which involve social media as evidence, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I just have to weed out the ones which fall under family law. More on that later.
On Wednesday, I was greeted immediately by one of Mr. Levine's clients at the door. This client was there before me, as she needed to prepare for the deposition of her late daughter's ex-husband's new girlfriend. This deposition was regarding a grandparental visiting rights issue, as the father of her grandson had moved the both of them out of state, taking him away from her. Before they moved, the grandmother was able to see her daughter's son at least once a week. She would walk him to school and allowed him to seek counseling after his mother's death. The case involves the grandmother of the boy, the father of the boy, and the father's current girlfriend. As there were so many parties involved in this case, the conference room in which the deposition took place was overflowing with people. Along with Mr. Levine and his client (the grandmother), there was the girlfriend of the father and her lawyer (who brought an intern to observe), and there was the lawyer of the father (who didn't show up). In addition, the grandfather of the boy (our client's husband) and the videographer was present. With so many people and not enough room, I was placed in the doorway of Mr. Levine's office, able to watch and listen. I was more than happy to watch from the next room over, away from the cramped space of the conference room. The deposition lasted about three hours, during which there were three breaks taken to stretch legs and discuss questions. A deposition is basically a question-and-answer session in which the lawyer of a party in the case (in this case our client) asks another party some basic facts about the case and about their observations. This is then signed under oath and turned in as an addition to the facts of the case, as evidence. After the deposition, I worked on some of my research until it was time to leave. I am allowed to discuss cases (as I know it always seems so hush hush in the movies, and it is to some extent), as long as I do not mention any specific names. Anonymity is everything.
On Thursday, I worked a lot on my blog posts for this week and I was able to comment on some of the other blogs that my classmates have been publishing. It was really great to reconnect to everyone and see what people are up to. It was also a nice reminder that we're all in this together, emerging into the professional realm. I was very eager to see that so many people are enjoying their time in the "real world." I also filed some paperwork and answered the phone some more while I was there. In addition to the paperwork, I read some more cases in my search for ones which involve social media and family law. I think I'm going to come across a lot of good ones soon, as there are several in a row that involve divorce cases that mention some sort of social media, whether it's Facebook or Myspace or Twitter.
Next week, Mr. Levine will be out of town, so it will just be me, my on-site mentor, and our paralegal at the office. It might be hectic (because his clients will be calling us a lot), it might be slow (because there will be less meetings probably), but it will be different, and I'm excited to help out in any way they might need me.
See you soon!
Megan,
ReplyDeleteI myself do not have much knowledge about law, but your topic is intriguing. It sounds as if you are getting a lot of amazing hands on experience with this project. I have read all of your entries on what you have been doing in your internship. Your original topic has to do with social media impacting family law; how have you seen this impact thus far? Has the impact of social media been great in these cases you have seen or not as much?
Hannah
Lutheran High School, Parker CO
Thanks Hannah! I have seen bits and pieces of a few cases in my time at my internship, as most cases can carry on for much longer than a ten-week period of time (which is how long I will be interning at the law firm). I went to a hearing a little while back regarding an issue of contempt due to the fact that the father was not paying his full share of child support or alimony. Though what I saw of this case did not involve social media, the beginnings of this case were very much influenced by social media evidence. A friend of the mother and the father was talking to the father on Facebook through the messaging function of the site. This friend was able to catch him admit to doing drugs even though he was supposed to be clean at the time (and he claimed that he was in court). Though the father believed that the friend would choose his side in the divorce, he was apparently wrong, as the friend turned over the messages to the mother, which were then used by Mr. Levine to prove that he was not fit to have full custody of his children. Again, be careful what you post and be careful who you trust. This case was the closest I've come to personally witnessing the effects of social media evidence in family law cases; however, Mr. Levine has shared some of his closed cases involving social media evidence with me as well.
DeleteMegan,
ReplyDeleteYour project sounds so interesting. I myself am not interested in law but I find it just how much I have learned from your blog so much, by your explanation. Your information seems like it will effect many lives. I think this project will allow for student to see the impact in which social media has on life, and that what we say really does matter. My name is Tanner and I attend Lutheran High School in Parker Co. I am really enjoying your project and following it!
Thank you Tanner! I am hoping that this information spreads as much as possible. Many people are aware that what you post matters, as colleges can look into your behavior and jobs can browse your profile. However, the fact that posts and other information found on Facebook can be used against you in a court of law as well. I agree, what we say really does matter, and spreading that information is the real purpose of my research project. Thank you for your comments. :)
Delete