Starting a new law practice can be daunting. There are so many things to do and so many decisions to make. One of the most critical decisions is what support services to use. Legal outsourcing is a powerful way of getting the help you need without breaking the bank. It is used by lawyers worldwide such that the global legal outsourcing market in 2021 was valued at $11.61 billion.
Here are some tips on choosing the right support services for your new law practice.
Court Appearance Service
You can waste a lot of time for a non-substantive court appearance, although you only spend a few minutes before the judge. A big part of the time goes to the commute to and from the court. Add to that the time waiting for your case to be called. There’s a lot more productive work you can do instead.
You need a court appearance service that will provide an attorney to represent your client in court when you can’t be there. This is usually for a flat fee. Look for a service with experience with the type of cases you handle. It must also be familiar with the courts in your area.
Subpoena Domestication Service
Suppose you have a case that needs documents or witness testimony from another state. In that case, you need to domesticate a subpoena in the county where the document or witness is located. The Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act (UIDDA) has streamlined the process, but it can still be time-consuming. Meanwhile, you need to focus on preparing your case.
You can get assistance from a licensed process agency to serve the foreign subpoena. They must be experts in the laws of their state because any misstep can cause the dismissal of your case.
Let’s say you need subpoena domestication in California because your witness lives there. Everything from the submission of your subpoena to the county clerk of court to its serving to the person or entity you are summoning must abide by California state laws. You must, therefore, choose an experienced licensed process agency in any state where you need to domesticate a subpoena.
Document Review for Discovery
In the process of pre-trial discovery, both sides are required to disclose relevant documents in their possession that may be used as evidence at trial. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process, especially if you have numerous documents.
Many law firms use document review services to help with this task. These services use attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals to review documents for relevance and privilege. They can save you a significant amount of time and money.
When choosing a document review service, make sure they have experience with the type of case you are handling. You should also ask about their quality control procedures to ensure that all documents are reviewed thoroughly.
eDiscovery Service
eDiscovery is the process of collecting, processing, and reviewing electronically stored information (ESI) for use in a legal case. This can include emails, text messages, social media posts, and other digital data.
eDiscovery can be a complex and time-consuming process. You need to have a firm understanding of the rules of evidence and procedure in order to comply with the court’s requirements. You also need to be able to use eDiscovery software to manage the large amount of data involved.
An eDiscovery service can help you with all aspects of eDiscovery, from document collection to data processing to review and production. When choosing an eDiscovery service, make sure they have experience with the type of case you are handling and that they use the latest software and technology.
Legal Document Preparation Service
If you don’t have the time or resources to prepare your own legal documents, you can hire a legal document preparation service.
Be sure to choose a service that is familiar with the type of documents you need and the laws in your jurisdiction. You can often find law students or paralegals who offer document preparation services at a lower cost than lawyers.
As with any other service, be sure to check the company’s licensing and insurance status, read reviews, and get references.
Court Reporting Service
A court reporting service can be extremely helpful if you’re handling complex litigation. The service will provide a court reporter to attend depositions and hearings and create a transcript of the proceedings. This transcript can be used as evidence in court.
Look for a service that has experience with the type of cases you handle and that is familiar with the courts in your area. Choose one that offers accurate and reliable transcripts.
You should also make sure that the service is able to meet your specific needs, such as providing real-time transcription or video services. Verify that the company is licensed and insured, check its references, and read reviews online.
Virtual Receptionist Service
A virtual receptionist can be a great addition to your law practice. They can answer calls, take messages, schedule appointments, and perform other administrative tasks.
When choosing a virtual receptionist service, make sure that they are available during the hours you need them and that they have experience working with law firms. You should also ask about their confidentiality policies and procedures to ensure that your client’s information is safe.
Check the company’s licensing and insurance status, read reviews, and get references before hiring a virtual receptionist service.
These are just a few of the support services you may need for your law practice. Do your research and choose the right ones for your needs to ensure a successful start to your business.
