This question relates to the previous one, but it’s an even more serious concern, in my opinion. Some attorneys spread themselves thin and take on cases that conflict with already-scheduled court dates. Instead of carefully managing their calendar to ensure they can personally handle every case, some attorneys ask colleagues to “stand in” for a case in court. I know. I’ve been asked by several of my competitors to stand in for them. Usually, the “stand in” attorney gets contacted a few days before trial and asked to add a case to their calendar. The attorney YOU paid to defend your case might fax a copy of the file to the “stand in” guy, or he might not. Then a random attorney who isn’t even associated with your attorney appears in court for your case. Again, if you hire me, I handle your case in court. I’ve NEVER had someone else appear in court for a client, and I don’t plan to ever do that.