E-FILER OF THE QUARTER
Posted by: Marsha Bills
BRIGIDA RODRIGUEZ, E-FILER OF THE QUARTER, IS
A VIBRANT EXAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
Born into a family of eight children in San Antonio, Brigida Rodriguez was the first child in her family to go to college. Her family members were migrant farm workers and the children learned at an early age that hard work is part of life. After her own children left home, Ms. Rodriguez decided to return to school. She and her husband decided it was time for an adventure of their own and chose Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. “While we enjoyed a complete change of environment, we are glad to be back in Texas where I have many contacts and opportunities,” says Ms. Rodriguez.
Ms. Rodriguez formed her firm with Debra White to create Rodriguez White PLLC about four years ago. The firm’s primary practice area is family law, but it also handles criminal defense cases and state parole issues. She built her practice by placing an ad in a local newspaper that generated business. Even though she did not advertise for family cases, she was not in a position to turn down clients, so she became familiar with the Family Code quickly and has been practicing family law steadily.
After Ms. Rodriguez read about the conveniences offered by eFiling in a legal publication more than a year ago, she called ProDoc and took the company’s free one-hour training course during lunch and set up her account, which has become an integral part of her practice.
Having her own firm, she is acutely aware of how important it is to use every way possible to save time and money. As her father always told her, "No es ganarlo -- es saber gastarlo," which means, "It is not in earning -- it is knowing how to spend it." With eFiling, Ms. Rodriguez knows she is serving her clients in the most cost-effective way available. “As all attorneys know, time is money, and eFiling gives us a critical tool to save time and money for ourselves and our clients,” says Ms. Rodriguez.
”Offering attorneys the ability to meet deadlines and to have remote access to the filing process are two of the most valuable assets eFiling offers,” she adds. “Being able to file from any location at any time is a real stress reducer in a world full of deadlines and professional and personal obligations. With a busy schedule, it is a relief to be able to file a pleading when I’m thinking about it rather than waiting until I get back to the office and get tied up with other issues. And there are only so many hours in a day, so it’s critical to use my time effectively to benefit everyone.”
“I would recommend e-Filing to other attorneys who might be hesitant to use the electronic method instead of the traditional paper method because of Bernita Jefferson and Tonya Pointer at the District Clerk’s eFiling Desk. I actually have their numbers on my cell phone,” says Ms. Rodriguez. “ Change is difficult for some, especially the ‘computer challenged,’ so it was a relief to discover that help is always available without being transferred from extension to extension. I really value the relationship I have developed with these clerks who help me make the most of eFiling.”