Kerr, Coretta 1998-07-10

Lubbock attorney Coretta Kerr talks about being a legal secretary and going back to school to become a lawyer.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Coretta Kerr

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: July 10, 1998

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Gene Preuss

Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Millie Coretta (Watkins) Kerr, Born: Muleshoe, Texas (July 1, 1943), Parents were Claude and Irene Watkins, Father was a farmer, Went to school in Lazbuddie, Texas, 25 in graduating class, Texas Tech University, Stopped after three years, Worked as a secretary in district attorney’s office (May 1964), Alton Griffin, District Attorney, Child support—1 year, Hot checks—2 years, Salary--$275 a month, Nelson, McClesty and Harenger (1968), Legal secretary, 4 years, Duties, Worked for George Gilkerson (December 1975), First national certified legal assistant’s exam, Became one of the first certified assistants in the nation, Differences from a legal secretary, Texas Tech University (again), 1980, Worked part-time, Undergraduate degree (August 1981), Texas Tech University School of Law, SMU School of Law, Women in law school, Worked as associate for George Gilkerson, Went out on own (1987), Law practice, Family law, Law clerk for Judge Woodward (January 1988), Difference between being a secretary and being a lawyer, Judge Woodward, Opinions, Characteristics.

Tape 1, Side 2: Judge Woodward (continued), School desegregation case, Lubbock, Transporting students to different schools, Judge Woodward (again), Worked in Amarillo with Judge Robinson, Prose Staff Attorney, Prisoner civil rights cases, Northern district of Texas, Amount of prisoners, Prisoners filing cases, Civil rights have been violated, 80% of cases do not go to trial, Denial of medical attention claims, Excessive force claims, Frivolous claims, Lubbock Bar Association, Involvement, Lubbock Law Community, Increasing number of lawyers, Texas Tech University School of Law (again), Opinions.

Tape 2, Side 1: Traveling for work, Workshop in Huntsville, Texas, Lubbock Law Community (again), Characteristics, Legal fees, Probono work, Minorities in the law profession, Changes, Appeal RA, 1996 law, Prose Staff Attorney’s provisions, Influences, Alton Griffin (again), George Gilkerson (again), Attorneys, Young attorneys, Opinions, Characteristics, Advice about becoming an attorney, [Tape ends after 20 minutes].

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1943-1998

Bulk Dates: 1964-1998

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