Figuring Out Your Small-Firm Billing Philosophy
In a small firm, you have to use your judgment as to what's billable and what's not.
Federal Judge Says Paul Clement Isn’t Special Enough To Command Insane Hourly Rates
How much was this superstar attorney trying to charge his client?
Chrometa: Turning Time Into Billable Value For Modern Lawyers
Adoption of Chrometa represents more than a technological upgrade; it reflects a professional philosophy that values accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
Beyond Biglaw: 5 Tips For Dealing With Billing Guidelines
You want to get paid, and for the client to think you are a great lawyer -- so follow this simple advice, from boutique-firm columnist Gaston Kroub.
Reinventing The Law Business: In Defense Of The Billable Hour
Should the billable hour really be vilified as something that rewards inefficiency and incompetence, or is it a benchmark with which to judge performance, or is it both?
Creative Billing: Biglaw’s Perennial Profit Engine
Anonymous Partner wonders: Is the Biglaw problem of padding bills getting worse, not better?
Morning Docket: 11.15.13
* Despite the fact that the overall demand for legal work was down by five percent during the first nine months of the year, law firms still raised their hourly rates. Hey, what can we say? Math is hard. [Am Law Daily] * After instructing his lawyers not to speak during what he called a “sham sentencing,” Whitey Bulger received two life sentences plus five years. Don’t worry, the appeal won’t be a sham. [National Law Journal; CNN] * Attention c/o 2015: the New York City Bar Task Force is considering throwing commercial paper out the window in favor of administrative law. Something something arbitrary and capricious. [New York Law Journal] * What is law school for, aside from collecting gigantic mountains of non-dischargeable student loan debt? Apparently it’s for creating a more meaningful life, because with poverty comes clarity. [WSJ Law Blog] * In the very near future, you might need a license to conduct business with virtual money like bitcoin. The Brothers Winklevii are probably already preparing their paperwork to file. [DealBook / New York Times]
Stand With Survivors: Legal Tools To Make A Real Difference This DVAM
Enhance your legal skills to advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence.
7 More Ways To Pass The Time While Working At A Law Firm
Seven more ways of staying (or at least looking) busy, while you put in your law-firm face time.
7 Ways To Kill Time While Working At A Law Firm
Seven recommended ways of staying (or at least looking) busy, while you put in your law-firm face time.
On The Value Of ‘Wasting’ Time
Are you in law firm management? If so, you may need to rethink your conception of "wasted" time.
The Hunger Games: Partners v. Associates
When billable work is scarce, who should get priority, partners or associates?
How Innovative Legal Teams Are Turning AI From Promise To Practice
In recent years, AI has moved beyond speculation in the legal industry. What used to be hypothetical is now very real.
On Elephantine Mating And Alternative Fees
What's the similarity between discussions about alternative fee agreements and elephantine mating? In-house columnist Mark Herrmann explains.
Skin in the Game: Mixed Hourly and Contingent Fee Billing
Keeping your client invested in the litigation makes for a better relationship.
Seeking Biglaw Billables: $1,150/Hour OBO!
In this day and age, even Biglaw bills can be discounted.
Buying In: An Interview with an In-House Insider (Part 4)
What can Biglaw firms learn from their corporate clients about managing and developing human resources? What improvements do in-house lawyers want to see from their outside counsel?
Buying In: An Interview with an In-House Insider (Part 3)
What criteria do in-house counsel use to determine if a firm is delivering value to their company? Why have clients drawn such a line in the sand when it comes to paying for associate time?