Getting the Job Done Right:

Getting the Job Done Right

Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC is a medium-sized law firm operating out of Idaho that specializes in a wide variety of legal fields: including criminal defense, trademark law, family law, and more. We spoke with a Senior Paralegal at Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC, ReAnna Ottly. In the interview, ReAnna Ottley explained how ABC Legal has assisted Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC as their business expanded to new states. 

Finding A Reliable Service of Process Provider

Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC is a growing, full-service law firm operating out of Idaho Falls, ID. They have over 30 years of combined legal experience and serve clients globally. The firm provides services for legal matters including but not limited to: family law, Intellectual Property law, criminal law, business law, estate planning, and general litigation. As the local firm grew in reputation,

The main obstacles Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC faced were:

• Finding a process server provider to handle nationwide work that had their back

• Ensuring that each case received the follow-through required

• Keeping lines of communication open throughout the process

These problems placed a significant burden onto Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC, increasing the time spent on each case, with the firm wasting time trying to confirm diligence, follow up with the providers, and work through the documentation on their own, all while chasing answers. This resulted in additional costs, ineffective and ineffectual service of process, and severe timeline delays for cases.

While trying to find a service process provider who could help them with their increasing nationwide workload, Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC came across ABC Legal, and decided to give them a try.

A Process Server Who Has Their Back

Comprehensive Coverage

When dealing with process server providers for out-of-state work, it’s important to consolidate work with a company you can trust. Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC tried to find the right partner but often found that the providers they tried were less than considerate and found themselves with unexpected fees and a lack of documentation.

"All service of process documents had to be prepared by our office. The service fee with other companies did not include the affidavits of service. That was very disappointing."

What got Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC started with ABC Legal was simply the company’s ability to deliver. When looking for multi-state service of process providers, ReAnna’s firm found “ABC was the only one that responded and was personable.” For them, “The biggest seller for our firm has been that ABC has been able to out of state services with no issues”

As they continued to send work to ABC Legal, they found that not only were they not being charged fees for things that should be included with service of process, like the proof of service, they were getting service of a higher quality. ABC Legal considered them a partner and put their needs first.

"ABC Legal was always very time considerate and processed all our requests efficiently and quicker than most other companies that we used."

Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC found ABC Legal to be the service of process provider able to best fulfill their nationwide work while treating them with respect and giving their cases the priority they deserve.

Follow-through That Doesn’t Leave Them in the Dark

Reliable Services

With the early vendors that Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC tried, they found there were problems getting process servers who would, well, do the job fully.

"There was no further communication and there was never an affidavit of non-service sent. All service documents had to be prepared by our office. Other companies did not follow through like ABC does. After one attempt if it was not complete, that was the end of it."

Process servers who didn’t deliver the documents on the first attempt would sometimes stop trying to deliver altogether, leaving the company in a bind. With neither completed service nor knowledge of what had transpired, the firm was unable to maintain straightforward timelines for their cases.

That changed with ABC Legal. While service was often fast, even when it wasn’t so straightforward, Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC never felt out of the loop. Instead, they were able to stay on track and feel confident in the work that was done.

ABC Legal ensures that local legal requirements are met for service of process. This includes setting high standards for due diligence and making sure that process servers make detailed records of each attempt including GPS coordinates, photos, and notes detailing what took place. All of that information is made available to customers online in their secure accounts.

"There has never been a service that ABC has disappointed us on. Even when service could not be completed, they worked diligently with our firm to make sure that we exhausted all possibilities. I always felt ABC wanted to get the service done!"

By ensuring that service of process was always completed in accordance with local laws and going the extra mile on difficult attempts, ABC Legal helped keep Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC’s cases on track.

Answers When They're Needed

Continuous Communication

When relying on a vendor to complete a necessary action for a client, communication is essential. When a client asks for an update, the last thing a firm wants is to not have an answer. Service of process is such a service, a task that must be completed by a third party that is required to move civil cases forward. With other service of process companies, ReAnna notes that there was a “Lack of communication and response time.”

Without the ability to get information, law firms can feel left behind and lose out on opportunities to keep their clients and cases up to date. What set ABC Legal apart for communication and transparency for Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC is the secure online account. “Other companies did not have an interactive dashboard like ABC does. ABC is so much more efficient and easier to deal with.”

While service is in progress, ABC Legal provides notifications for service attempts and final delivery. All of the information from service of process - including data, files, and attempt records - can be reviewed online, anytime. Information updates in real-time so law firms always know the current status of their case.

"Communication was always there. If there was ever a question or they thought another address would be better, they always kept us informed and offered suggestions to save them time and the firm money.”

Transparency and communication are top of mind at ABC Legal. If there’s ever a question that can’t be answered in the account, ABC Legal has support staff on stand-by available to answer any questions that may arise before, during, or after service.

Whether a firm wants to see holistic overviews of performance, minute details from service attempts on each case, or just wants a direct answer to a pressing question, ABC Legal offers a range of solutions that ensure answers are always available.

Transform service of process into an easy online experience.

”Because of the efficiency in service, we have been able to streamline all our services timelines and have been able to effectuate services in a timely manner.”

ABC Legal is committed to accurate, efficient, timely service of process. With nationwide coverage, responsive communication, and service update notifications, we work hard so your law firm, like Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC, has time to focus on your clients and their needs.

For anyone looking for reliable and personable nationwide service of process, ReAnna Ottley recommends ABC Legal:

“Always go to ABC first. They have and will always be my number one choice for any service They are 100% reliable and they will make sure the service is done!”

If you’re an expanding firm like Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC, hoping to find a nationwide service of process provider you can trust to support you at every step, the answer is as easy as ABC.

Place your first order online and see how easy service of process can be.