here is a quote from a gig on Craigslist:
well, so what exactly does this “requesting specific depositions” entail that it requires several days worth of time of a paralegal? Why can’t the lawyer “request” this stuff via a web interface without running around?
This job doesn’t make a lot of sense. It actually sounds more like the sort of thing that a pro se litigant would think up/believe to be necessary to prosecute a case, and then post a (low paying) cragslist job, which probably makes them feel sort of empowered. I’ll almost guarantee this is some doofus with an axe to grind and some oddball idea of how the legal system works, not a law firm or any other sort of legal entity.
To answer your question about requesting this stuff via a web interface, most places don’t have the time or money to scan and put online every document that is filed with the clerk. Some people also cite privacy concerns – there should be some small hurdle to looking at court documents (which I disagree with). In any case, while it would be fantastic to have all court documents online (for free), it’s just not available in most places.
Anyway, the process is as simple as saying “I need to look at the file for 10-C-217, and I need 3 copies of the complaint. Here’s $20.” I don’t know what kind of “expertise” is needed, nor why someone would be sent around to get basic court documents.
It’s either a pro se moron, or a long shot could be that it is some sort of news/academic research looking for a mass of data or some juicy bits they can use.
ETA: Also, a disposition is almost never a pleading.
Here’s how it would work in many New York counties:
You’d have to go to the courthouse and find the proper clerk’s office where they keep these case files. You’d fill out a slip with the case number and information, and after waiting on line, give that to the clerk. Eventually (assuming the case file had not been sent to off-site storage), the clerk would return with one or more file folders with the case file.
Once you had the case file, you’d have to go through it to find the relevant papers. If you’re lucky, everything in the file is in chronological order, but that doesn’t always happen. Finding the complaint is easy because it is usually the first paper filed, though there may be amended complaints. The answer can usually be readily located as well. Dispositions may be harder to find as there are multiple types of papers that could be a full or partial disposition of the case.
Once you get the papers, you have to find a working public photocopy machine in the courthouse, often the toughest part of the job. Then you have to copy the documents page by page while feeding quarters into the copier. With multiple documents that could be dozens or hundreds of pages, this can be very time consuming.
Essentially, this is work that could be readily performed by a competent paralegal, but if the para is not trained for this, he or she can screw it up fairly easily. It is time-consuming but not really difficult, particularly if one is familiar with the different types of legal papers.