What’s so important about ‘creating a record’? Ask the lawyer
Q: We had a theft at our club and no one knows who did it, but we have our suspicions. I have taken notes of the phone calls and meetings so far. I asked an attorney what I should do to best protect myself and he said, “Create a record, confirm things in writing, and get a police report on file.” He kept saying “create a record.” Do you agree? C.S., Hawthorne Ron Sokol A: The word “create” might better be replaced by the word “make” or the word “establish,” as in, make a record or establish a record. You indicate a theft has occurred (so, an apparent crime), and that you have taken notes. But if a claim arose, or somehow you were faulted, even in part, the notes you have written may appear to be self-serving. Also, how do you prove when you wrote down the notes? If you met with people, you can send a writing (an email, for example) that confirms the discussion. You can conclude with: “If you believe that I left something out here, or did not report things
