Lydia,
I have your point, but would you also insist that the middle-level
associate who told the _American Lawyer_ in 1993 that "I would
rather sell shoes than work at Paul Weiss!" must disclose his/her name?
It seems in sensitive matters, you can have "answerablility" or you can
have "candor" but I doubt if you can have both. Certainly a "political"
firm would punish any employee who embarrassed the Firm, don't you think?
So we would be left with nothing from the profession but sanitized
diplomacy and firm PR. :)
Guardedly,
Terry "Axe me no questions, I tell yo no lies" Seale
in Miami
.......................
On Mon, 7 Aug 1995, Lydia Wilson wrote:
>
> Dear Law-Lib:
>
> The cover article from the most recent issue
> of _Law_Lines_ (July/August 1995), published by
> the Law Library Association of Greater New York
> (LLAGNY) puts forth the contention that as hard
> as those in "leadership and management positions"
> work to have the library perceived as a worthwhile
> instrument, the "rank and file" have been stonewalling
> these endeavors.
>
> The article is entitled "One Librarian's Opinion
> Managing Change." The truly shocking thing about this
> article (aside from the fact that I disagree
> with a majority of this librarian's opinion) is that
> it is anonymous. The librarian refers to the law firm
> at which he/she works as X LAW FIRM. Since when do we
> as professionals make statements and print them in ou
> professional organs without accountability!
>
> _Law_Lines_ contains a disclaimer that reads, "All
> contributions submitted for publication are subject to
> editorial review and are published at editorial discretion.
> LLAGNY does not assume responsibility for the statements
> advanced by the contributors to _Law_Lines_ nor do the views
> expressed necessarily represent the views of LLAGNY or its
> members." Then who claims responsibility for this article?
> Not the author, not the publisher, perhaps a good bit more
> editorial discretion was needed.
>
> I have great respect for those individuals within
> the profession who are brave enough to take positions
> contrary to those generally held. I have no respect at all
> though for those who must do so behind a screen of
> anonymity!
>
> The librarian in the article claims that librarians
> have trouble making the transition from library administrator
> to financial administrator. The author sees efforts to do so
> being hampered by the "rank and file" members of library staffs.
> The author bases these opinions on his/her personal experience
> with the staff members of his/her library.
>
> The librarian finds that attempts to shift his/her staff
> at X LAW FIRM to new ways of thinking were met with resistance.
> Submitting time records and statistics is viewed by the
> staff as burdensome. The staff is too "lazy" (the author's
> word) to do these tasks. The author's staff objects to
> doing overtime and resents having to work through lunch.
> The staff does not accept responsibility for their own
> welfare, comfort or job security. The staff does not or
> will not keep up with changes in technology.
>
> The author seems to feel that the above circumstances
> are true of law libraries everywhere. I, personally, would
> argue that the author lacks the necessary leadership,
> managerial and motivational skills necessary to the effective
> performance of his/her duties.
>
> With full knowledge of the accountability entailed, I sign
> my name.
>
> Lydia E. Wilson
> Tax Librarian
> Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
> 1285 Avenue of the Americas
> New York, NY 10019
> Tel:(212)373-2456
> Fax:(212)373-2221
> E-Mail: BM.PWW@RLG.STANFORD.EDU
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 14 2007 - 20:48:59 PST