Clients are often confused when they show up to a hearing and see a substitute instead of the lawyer they’ve hired. Using appearance attorneys is more common than you think, and there’s no shame in it either.
The point of a substitute attorney is to show up to hearings on your behalf. They can also serve as an administrative assistant — and the benefits don’t stop there. Hiring an appearance attorney can save you and the client time and money.
Today, we explain the basics of an appearance attorney and some of the advantages.
Basics of an Appearance Attorney
Simply put, an appearance attorney appears in court on your behalf. An appearance attorney may even take care of administrative tasks, like filing papers or giving the judge an update on a case.
Appearance lawyers typically have a broad range of experience, so they’re usually cheaper to hire.
The reason is that an attorney with a specialty charges top dollar — think $400 or more per hour.
However, a junior attorney that doesn’t have a niche typically doesn’t charge much. The rate of an appearance attorney is usually around $150 per hour.
So, hiring an appearance attorney makes economic sense for both the client and lawyer.
Let’s explore this further.
Appearance Attorneys Are Economical
The reason why attorneys hire a substitute is that it allows them to maximize their time. They can take on more clients without spreading themselves too thin. This is also great for clients because it saves them money.
Here’s what we mean:
Example 1
Let’s say a client contracts a lawyer for $500 per hour. Without an appearance attorney, the client would have to pay $500 for their lawyer to attend court hearings.
However, if their lawyer hired a substitute with a fixed job price of $75, the client would save $425.
Example 2
Let’s say a client has a court hearing in a town 2 hours away from where their lawyer practices. The lawyer would bill the client for time traveled and for attending the hearing.
This scenario is unfavorable for the client and lawyer. Why? The lawyer wastes time traveling and attending a short hearing. And the client gets billed the lawyer’s hourly rate plus travel expenses.
An appearance attorney that resides in the same town as the hearing would eliminate extra costs for the client and save the lawyer valuable time.
Example 3
Let’s say a lawyer takes on a complicated case that involves tons of discovery and other research.
A substitute attorney would lessen the burden by handling all administrative tasks and miscellaneous work. This allows the lawyer to take on more clients.
Add Convenience With an Appearance Attorney
We’re not being dramatic when we say that an appearance attorney is a lifesaver. It gives lawyers more room to breathe and could save clients money in the process. It’s a win-win for everyone!
If you’re finally ready to hire an appearance attorney, Docketly’s got you covered. Our database features the most qualified attorneys in the country — all for a fair price.
