Is there a legal ethics guide to billing hours?
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:15 pm
Like what counts what doesn't?
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Curious about this too - I thought the guidance was "bill everything and let your superiors mark it down if it needs to be marked down"? Unless you're worried that billing your research into samples might look like you're trying to "get away with something", I guess.emkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
Bill thatemkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
I agree. You should bill this time. Look at it this way, you likely would have to spend a lot more than 1-2 hours if you reinveted the wheel. Although I would note that if you're spending 1-2 hours look for an example, you are being highly inefficient. You need to go find a mid-level associate who porbably could pull an exemple within 15 minutes, time which should also be billed.rad lulz wrote:Bill thatemkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
I want to know if that is fraud.ymmv wrote:Wait you guys don't just guesstimate this stuff to the nearest hour?
Wow that is crazy.smallfirmassociate wrote:This may even vary by state. My practice is to not bill for anything that constitutes "background knowledge" -- or what the substantial majority of attorneys in my areas (as in, geographical area and practice area) should already know. This is different from having to research things that particularly experienced attorneys may already know, as that difference is reflected in different billing rates. It's an inexact science, but I think that's the ethical way to do it where I practice.
I said reviewing examples, not finding one. I'm not an idiot.silenttimer wrote:I agree. You should bill this time. Look at it this way, you likely would have to spend a lot more than 1-2 hours if you reinveted the wheel. Although I would note that if you're spending 1-2 hours look for an example, you are being highly inefficient. You need to go find a mid-level associate who porbably could pull an exemple within 15 minutes, time which should also be billed.rad lulz wrote:Bill thatemkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
Ha, well, if nobody cares, then what the hell!Desert Fox wrote:Wow that is crazy.smallfirmassociate wrote:This may even vary by state. My practice is to not bill for anything that constitutes "background knowledge" -- or what the substantial majority of attorneys in my areas (as in, geographical area and practice area) should already know. This is different from having to research things that particularly experienced attorneys may already know, as that difference is reflected in different billing rates. It's an inexact science, but I think that's the ethical way to do it where I practice.
I'm talking more about billing for watching World Cup and barely researching concurrently.
I think you should. Reasons? 1. You bill per hour less $$ for a reason. 2. it would take a month for someone who has no legal education to write it correctly even with sample (riiiiight?) so even if it takes you more than it should compared to an average competent lawyer there is still value in what you're doingemkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
You will never make hours if you self edit like this. This is a 10/10 on the legit to bill spectrum. Your goal should be to save the client time by looking up example language plus it avoids the risk by taking something written by a senior person. I often spend half the day in transactional law looking up perfect language. Sometimes the research doesn't pay off and it would have been quicker to draft. Most times it pays off. You don't just bill the client if you win, you bill them win or lose. If the client makes millions on the matter you are on, you don't get the upside either, you just bill for your services.emkay625 wrote:I had the same question. Lots of things like - if I get asked to write a motion, and spend 1-2 hours looking at samples because I've never written one before, is that billable? My inclination is no, so I haven't been billing things like that, but an official guide would be helpful.
Biglaw_Associate_V20 wrote:bill baby bill
Seems like the CR.Anonymous User wrote:Tldr: as long as you are in good faith not trying to slow up the process it's legit, the fact that you were not as efficient as possible is the billing partner's issue.
Ask your firmAnonymous User wrote:What are typical protocols for billing travel time where you either can't work or don't have work that can be done? (i.e. sitting in a cab to the airport, going through security, etc..)