A per diem lawyer is an attorney hired on a temporary basis to handle specific legal matters. Per diem lawyers are a cost-effective alternative to hiring an associate and provide flexibility for firms with heavy litigation schedules. Per diem attorneys often have a wide variety of experience in several different areas of law, and can be assigned to any case at a moment’s notice. They can be used for conference calls, court appearances and depositions. Per diem lawyers can also assist with discovery and other case-related tasks.
A recent decision by a New Jersey appellate court reducing an attorney’s fee award because of the use of per diem lawyers has shaken up the plaintiffs bar. The court’s ruling seems likely to be appealed, and could have far-reaching implications. The appeals court ruled that when contract lawyers are on the winning side, their hourly charges to the lead attorney, not the market rates they charge the public, factor into the fee enhancement calculation.
The case involved George Constant, Inc. v. Berman, where a plaintiff’s counsel hired a per diem attorney to appear at an initial court conference before Justice Ramos. The judge, however, was scheduled to hold a preliminary conference on two other matters that morning, and he was unable to accommodate the plaintiff’s request to reschedule the case for that day. The plaintiff’s counsel then called the per diem attorney to advise him of the scheduling conflict and requested he attend the rescheduled date. The per diem attorney agreed, but was late to the original hearing and missed the rescheduled date. The court imposed a sanction against the per diem attorney equal to his usual billing rate multiplied by two hours.
Per Diem Services specializes in providing temporary per diem attorneys to meet the needs of attorneys in their busy practice. Whether you need coverage for a conference in Supreme Court, an appearance for a motion in Criminal Court or a deposition of an expert witness in Arbitration, we can assist you with all your appearance coverage needs. Our seasoned group of attorneys have handled thousands of cases in every county of New York State. We provide the same quality of service and professionalism you have come to expect from our clients, and we pride ourselves on our ability to respond to requests for coverage with less than a day’s notice.
The Revolution assignment management portal combines cutting edge technology with high-quality personalized customer service. Our staff will process your request, confirm coverage, answer questions and transmit instructions to the assigned appearance attorney quickly and efficiently. This allows you to focus on your matter and provide your client with the zealous representation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our per diem lawyer ny services. We look forward to serving you.