Let’s say a company in California contracts a law firm to handle a collection matter in Florida. Would the law firm hire an appearance attorney or local counsel? Aren’t they the same thing?
Local and appearance counsel often get used interchangeably, but their duties are different.
In this quick guide, we break down the difference between local counsel and appearance attorneys.
Local Counsel v. Appearance Counsel: What’s the Difference?
Local counsel takes over a case while appearance counsel serves as a substitute.
Here’s a more in-depth look into each type of service:
Local Counsel
Each state, city, town, village, and jurisdiction has its own unique laws. Local counselors are experts in the laws of a particular area. For example, local counsel for Miami, FL intimately knows the laws for Miami.
You would hire local counsel for a client that lives in an area other than where a hearing is held. Also, clients often prefer lawyers who live closer to their own home to represent them — this is where local counsel comes in.
Hiring local counsel services has become common — thanks to a broader marketing landscape.
In the past, law firms were limited to advertising their services to people in the immediate area. Now, law firms can market to prospective clients all over the country. In this case, contracting local lawyers makes sense.
But what happens when an out-of-state client is looking for an attorney with a certain area of expertise? Appearance counsel is the best choice.
Appearance Counsel
When a contracted attorney can’t attend a hearing in person, they will hire an appearance counsel service. A lawyer may prepare the case and then have an appearance attorney present it in court. Appearance counsel may also do administrative tasks like filing paperwork.
Relationships play a role in the outcome of a trial. And a visiting attorney may not have a relationship with local judges.
Need Local Counsel or Appearance Counsel?
The decision to hire local or appearance counsel is up to you and your client. If you’re having trouble narrowing down the pool of attorneys, consult with Docketly. We help you find the most qualified attorneys in the country.
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