Thank YOU Google!

I just had to share because it's one of those beautiful moments in life where you just want to savor it forever.
I was on this case, details shall remain confidential, where I was on the verge of losing. And this was one of those cases where I was actually representing a good and descent guy! So I spent the last days before the trial thinking about how we'd try to settle out of court and praying that the asshole we were suing would just get what he deserved. I'm a huge believer in Karma.
So this one night I look at this Google alert email I got for french recipes (sue me...) and I figured "hey! I should start adding alerts about my cases!"
So I put the asshole's name and my client's name and the next day I GET AN ALERT!
The asshole idiot got interviewed by his kid daughter for her blog and he talked all about the case!
Needless to say his lawyer refused to represent him if he didn't settle and we won! My client got the money he deserved and that asshole learned that Karma is unforgiving :)
So thank you Google Alerts for winning me a case and making a fool out of someone who deserved it.

Jane Out.

The Cost of Errors

What Can a Spelling or Grammar Error Cost You?

You can never proof-read a written piece too many times before submission. English grammar rules are complicated enough without having to worry about simple misspellings. With writing being the main means of communication, grammar checking software such as WhiteSmoke's all-in-one writing solution can be a huge help to everyone from students and professors to doctors and professionals.  

Errors in spelling or grammar can be costly. Aside from causing embarrassment, a misplaced comma or apostrophe can change the meaning of a sentence. Even the slightest mistake on a job application can cost a candidate his/her job. Several years ago, a lawyer lost $31,350 (as a lawyer,  I have to stop and say "OUCH!") when the judge ruled that he should not be paid in full due to overabundant typos. It’s certainly worth taking the extra moment to read over your work, or even better to scan it with a grammar checker.

However, the importance of good grammar extends beyond just paper and pen. Since The King’s Speech has been at the forefront of award season, there have been several articles published on the significance of grammar and stuttering. The movie focuses on King George VI and his stuttering problem. Having a screenwriter with a stutter, it accurately portrays many of the symptoms and difficulties of stuttering. According to an article by Pam Belluck in the New York Times, research has shown that there is a connection between stuttering and the complexity of language. In a study conducted by Dr. Anne Smith of Purdue University, children with stutters responded normally to contextual errors in speech, but did not pick up on grammatical errors.

Whether written or spoken, language can be a very powerful thing. As they say, “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Inaccuracy can cost money, jobs and speech. A spelling and grammar check is always worth it. 

This article is taken from WhiteSmoke's Scribd profile, of which I am a follower: http://www.scribd.com/karen_white_1

I just had to post it because of the lawyer thing, and because I've seen writing mistakes take their toll on others. So here's a lesson to you all :)

Jane out.