Lies we lawyers tell you

It's Alfresco's end of quarter, and so as ever I'm spending my last few weeks of the quarter wading through contracts. If you've had the joy of working with contracts and those who make a living reviewing, editing, or creating them, you will have heard or read these words:

"I was able to accept most of the changes. There are just a few last items to discuss. I think we're almost there."

Translation?

"I approved all of your formatting changes but we're still oceans apart on the truly nettlesome issues that neither you nor I want to budge on. Bring a sleeping bag to work because we're not finishing up any time soon."

Maybe people say "almost there" to try to soothe the opposing counsel; to lull them into accepting odious terms that they would never approve if offered to them. Whatever the reason, we're not "almost there" until the contract is black and white with no redlines. At that point it will still take a week to find the person with signing authority back at her desk.

"Almost" lasts an eternity.

[Carlo Mason]

I tend to agree, given that I myself am an attorney. I trust those of you reading will consider the wise counsel (pun intended) of the original writer.

[chuckjuhl]

So, so true - LOL. Forests are laid to waste to make the paper that all of the revisions are printed on. In my experience it's a war of attrition. I DREAD the emails that come in with the subject: "See Revisions" or "Revisions Attached."

[bernie.mcginn]

interesting post.. thanks!