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LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES
Attorneys don't do it all; we use a variety of litigation support services to help us.
service of process and other legal deliveries:
ABC Legal Messengers
-- you can send documents to them by e-mail as PDF attachments, for them to print out and serve, file, or deliver.
-- ABC has offices in all major Washington counties and also in other western states
-- they can arrange for service anywhere in the world
-- ABC are the service of process experts; if you asked me a question about how to get somebody served outside Washington state, I would tell you to call Birnie at ABC (his phone no.)
others who can serve process:
deputies (CONTACT PHONE NO.S, COST)
over 18, not a party -- be sure to file proof of service (FORM)
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video depositions:
-- The extra cost to make a video record of Mom's deposition is money well spent, for all sorts of reasons; these days, you get a DVD, although I think you can still get for a VHS tape if that's what you want. Mom's attorney is restrained from the worst deposition abuses (especially whispering to Mom, telling her what to say) because of the record being made. Mom is often more focused on how she looks than she is on what she's saying; this is one of the reasons a video record can act like a truth serum. We all know what liars look like when they're obviously lying; Mom knows this, too, so she will answer more quickly in a video deposition. Video also captures all the facial expressions and hand gestures, and it makes it possible to sort out who is saying what when two or more people talk at the same time. Bottom line: you should always take Mom's deposition, and it should always be a video deposition.
-- If you want to show some of the deposition at a hearing, be sure to contact the court ahead of time and ask for a "special set" (extra time) if necessary. Tell the court staff whether you're bringing a DVD or a VHS tape, and they will have the equipment ready for you. If you want to show the video record at trial, contact the judge's bailiff. You can file a DVD or a videotape with the Clerk of the Court, but, at least in King County, there will be a charge for this or anything else filed that is not a standard-size document.
Naegeli Reporting (800-528-3335) is the Cadillac of deposition services in the Pacific Northwest, with locations in Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Coeur de'Alene -- most expensive than the others, but worth it. When you have only one chance to win custody, always hire the best people when you can!
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audio transcriptionists
-- use to transcribe voice mails, answering machine tapes, etc.
-- must be King County certified if you want to use the transcript in King County
-- link to court's certified list
-- warn people that taping telephone conversations without everybody's consent illegal (cite to RCW); the tape will not be admissible in evidence and the judicial officers won't listen to it
-- OK to offer messages left by people who know they're being recorded, such as voice-mail and answering machine messages
-- and discuss the case where the GAL listened to the tape & discussed it when she testified at trial
-- I recommend:
Reed Jackson Watkins, KCSC certified audio transcriptionists 1425 4th Ave, suite 520 Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 624-3005 / fax (206) 624-3007
info@rjwtranscripts.com
-- excellent overnight service, reasonable fees
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Lawyers don't win cases, evidence wins cases; you gotta get the evidence if you wanna win. I know that on TV, the lawyers do that themselves, but that's not true in the real world. Often you need to hire a private eye:
private detectives:
Gerry Adams
(206) 523-5184
e-mail: gerry@adams-pi.com
website: http://www.adams-pi.com/
I have known Gerry since my first year as a lawyer. He's the best: a good detective and a good guy -- known to, respected by, and believed by the judges. He'll get you the evidence you need, and charge you a fair price.
Gerry Adams is a private investigator in Seattle since 1972. He offers
investigative case management, consulting, and planning for PIs, law
offices, pro se litigants, & businesses.
This combination of consulting and case management services allows you to
develop an investigative plan that you can carry out under the supervision
of an experienced investigator. Whether you are a do-it-yourself litigant,
or an experienced business owner, you can find proper guidance and
assistance from Gerry Adams.
Mr. Adams is also a registered process server. Using a registered process
server is required in order to recover your costs of service in Washington
courts.
Most clients appreciate the efficiency of time spent on individual tasks.
Clients are billed by the tenth of an hour, without minimum charges, for
consulting and case management services. Strict budgets are used to direct
and control costs.
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Gerry Adams says LMI is good, too:
Linda Montgomery Investigations,
a full service Seattle agency emphasizing litigation support
http://www.lmipi.com/
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My private detective, Gerry Adams, shares these trade secrets:
Gordon Mitchell is the person that I routinely call, or recommend, for
computer forensics and anti-eavesdropping. Here is his website:
http://www.bug-killer.com/
Gordon's phone number is (425) 489-0446
To locate witnesses, for difficult services of process, etc.,
Gerry recommends:
http://legallocate.com/
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free 50-state links to public records online:
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/
private detectives do a good job of serving process on people who are hiding from process servers
to find a licensed detective near you, or to confirm somebody's license:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/bpdLicenseQuery/
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parenting plan evaluators
Naomi Oderberg
Marsha Hedrick
get list from directory
sexual deviancy evaluators
polygraph examiners
brief re: admissibility (if both sides agree)
other expert witnesses
check directory
appellate attorneys:
Catherine Wright Smith is the #1 family law appellate attorney in Washington State
-- if you can afford her, hire her quickly before the other side does!
http://www.essglaw.com/catherine_wright_smith.html
other choices:
Margaret Dore
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Re: Expert needed re: choice of school
I recommend hiring a veteran school teacher (not known to the people at the school, but from as similar a district as possible) to make an appointment with the principal, posing as a parent who is considering moving into the district and who wants to get to know the school better. Your teacher can testify both as a fact witness and as an expert witness.
I have used School Match but was always disappointed with the results.
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mediation/arbitration:
JAMS weblink
less expensive choices:
free mediation at the KCSC: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt/civil/setconf.aspxhttp://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt/civil/setconf.aspx
only the judges who do "all types" of cases will mediate family law cases
KCSC also sponsors mediation by private attorneys: For family law cases, all parties seeking a settlement conference are invited to call, (206) 205-6770 on Thursdays and Fridays between 8:30 and 4:30 p.m for Seattle and (253) 852-2345 for Kent. You will reach a Settlement Conference Coordinator who can schedule a conference with an attorney who has indicated a willingness to conduct settlement conferences. See Volunteer Settlement Conferences for more information.
FL mediators I recommend in Snoho & Pierce Counties
overnight copying -- I usually use my local Kinko's (now known as FedEx Office)
http://www.fedex.com/Dropoff/start?locale=en_US&appId=WFXK
go through my directory
illegal "paralegal" services -- why you should avoid them
the new "legal technician" program
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DNA testing
Genelex
3000 First Ave., Suite One
Seattle, WA 98121
(800) 523-3080
www.PaternityTestingLab.com
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