As a busy attorney, juggling multiple cases and appearances can be overwhelming.
That’s where ZR Per Diem Services comes in to lend a helping hand. Using our per diem coverage services allows you to focus on your responsibilities while ensuring your cases proceed smoothly in court.
To obtain the most value out of ZRPD, it is essential to provide comprehensive instructions and case details so your assigned per diem attorney can obtain the best possible result.
The below provides valuable insights and tips from the law firm's perspective on how to best prepare your per diem for a successful appearance.
Schedule Your Per Diem In Advance
Providing advanced notice of your coverage needs allows ZRPD to secure the most qualified, available per diem attorney before their schedules are filled. This will also provide you adequate time to gather the pertinent information, documents and detail the legal strategies on your matter to ensure a seamless coverage experience.
Pro tip: Review your calendar weekly and schedule all of your per diem coverage requests for the following week . We suggest you request coverage at a minimum of 48 hours in advance.
Provide Clear Directives For Your Per Diem
Your objectives and goals to the per diem should be clearly outlined. Whether it’s a simple status update, a motion hearing, or a trial, providing specific instructions will allow the per diem attorney to tailor their approach accordingly and ensure your expectations are met.
An example of a clear directive could be the following:
“As the per diem attorney, please appear and provide the judge with the following status update that the parties are in negotiations to settle, please have the matter adjourned 2 months to allow the parties to complete settlement”
“Please request an adjournment date no sooner than mm/dd/yyyy”
“Please enter into a discovery schedule that includes the exchange of written demands and responses within X days and depositions on mm/dd/yyy and mm/dd/yyyy. Note that if alternate dates are proposed please do not choose a Monday or Friday”
Provide Specific Legal Arguments
Make sure to share your key legal arguments and strategies with the per diem attorney.
Per diems review NYSCEF, as needed on your matters. However, motions and other case documents can be voluminous with information not pertinent to the particular court appearance. While they will review, it's critical to provide a summary and clearly outline your particular arguments.
Understanding the core arguments in the case will help the per diem attorney present a cohesive and well-prepared argument on your behalf.
Expectations and Court Procedures
Often times the per diems appearing on your behalf are experts in the county and more specifically the part they are appearing in. When your per diem attorney asks questions or requires more information, it is often because the request is missing what is required by the court.
A clear understanding of the court's expectations will help you and the per diem navigate the proceedings smoothly.
Share Important Case Updates
Revolution, ZRPD's proprietary assignment management portal makes communicating with your per diem easy. If there have been any significant developments or changes in the case, make sure to inform the per diem attorney promptly.
Timely updates will help them adjust accordingly and stay well-prepared.
Pro tip: Sometimes last-minute updates to your per diem are needed. Message through Revolution or text your per diem in Revolution when he or she is in court with an urgent update. This is often better than a phone call as per diems can message from the court, however, may not be able to leave the courtroom to make a call.
Utilize Our Case Appearance Prep Sheet
ZRPD is developing a comprehensive Case Appearance Prep Sheet that streamlines the process of outlining your case and providing clear instructions to the per diem attorney representing you.
This invaluable document prompts you to gather all essential case details, from relevant documents and pleadings to key legal arguments and court procedures.
By systematically organizing this information, the prep sheet ensures that nothing is overlooked, allowing the per diem attorney to fully grasp the nuances of the case.
Keep an eye on your emails for it to be unveiled!
Conclusion
By preparing your cases diligently and communicating effectively with our per diem attorneys, you can maximize the benefits of ZR Per Diem Services.
Our goal is to ensure that your legal matters proceed seamlessly in court, even in your absence. This comprehensive preparation ensures a well-informed approach during the court appearance.
Thank you for choosing ZRPD for your coverage needs!
