A per diem attorney is a licensed attorney who appears in court on behalf of another attorney or law firm. The term "per diem" comes from the Latin phrase meaning "per day" — these attorneys are typically retained for a single day or appearance rather than on an ongoing basis.
Per diem attorneys are not substitutes for the attorney of record. They appear as authorized representatives, following the retaining attorney's specific instructions. After the appearance, they provide a detailed report covering outcomes, new dates, stipulations, and next steps.
What Does a Per Diem Attorney Do?
Per diem attorneys handle a wide range of court appearances and legal proceedings:
When Should You Use a Per Diem Attorney?
Law firms use per diem attorneys in several common situations:
Scheduling Conflicts
When you have appearances in two or more courts on the same day, a per diem attorney handles one while you attend the other.
Geographic Coverage
When a case is in a court far from your office — for example, a New Jersey firm with a case in NYC.
Volume Management
When your caseload exceeds your capacity to appear personally at every court date.
Unexpected Absences
When illness, emergencies, or other conflicts arise on short notice and you need coverage to avoid defaults or adjournments.
How Instant Per Diem Works
Submit Your Request
Provide the court, date, matter type, and your specific instructions.
We Confirm Coverage
Our team assigns a licensed attorney — typically confirmed within 15–30 minutes.
Attorney Handles the Appearance
The per diem attorney follows your instructions and handles the matter professionally.
Get Your Report
You receive a same-day written report with outcomes, new dates, and next steps.