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if you are writing a memo or a brief, and it requires some thinking to properly set out your arguments and you think better when doing something else (walking to get coffee, bathroom etc.) does that count as billable hours?

If you're spending time thinking about the case - developing legal theories, sounding out legal arguments, contemplating difficult facts - it's billable. If I'm involved in an intense case that is on my mind a lot while I'm sitting around at home and I'm thinking about my next steps or arguments I plan to make, I'll capture that time. But what you don't do is write a description like "develop legal strategy while pinching a loaf," obviously.

But in our profession we charge for our mental minutes, so don't sell yourself short. Capture every .1 you can and let the partner decide whether to write some off. Don't miss out on potential hours - that's money to the firm.

NotMyRealName09 wrote:If you're spending time thinking about the case - developing legal theories, sounding out legal arguments, contemplating difficult facts - it's billable. If I'm involved in an intense case that is on my mind a lot while I'm sitting around at home and I'm thinking about my next steps or arguments I plan to make, I'll capture that time. But what you don't do is write a description like "develop legal strategy while pinching a loaf," obviously.

But in our profession we charge for our mental minutes, so don't sell yourself short. Capture every .1 you can and let the partner decide whether to write some off. Don't miss out on potential hours - that's money to the firm.

that is what I thought, thanks!