my attorney bills me how to capture details in report

Should I let my attorney review the bill before I dispute?

Before you formally dispute the bill, you may want to allow your attorney the opportunity to review and explain the bill. In some situations the attorney may not even have seen the bill before it was sent – or she may have simply given it a cursory glance as she signed it.

How do you Bill your law firm?

Don’t bill in blocks, bill in bites — small, bite-size pieces that detail all of the hard work you put into your pleadings and the like. Take a motion for summary judgment, for example. Lengthy, comprehensive briefs for judgment on the pleadings take a lot of time to research and write. Many lawyers will bill that time in one block, like this:

What to do if you have an issue with a bill?

Even if you do not have a document to refer to, contact your attorney immediately after you realize that there is an issue with the bill. You have a business relationship with your attorney and it is usually in his or her best interest to resolve this issue with you quickly.

What should I do if my attorney's Bill is too high?

You have a business relationship with your attorney and it is usually in his or her best interest to resolve this issue with you quickly. Respectfully point out the portion of the bill that you think is too high and why. If your attorney had given you information that is contrary to what is in the bill, point this out.

How to dispute a bill from an attorney?

If you’ve received a bill from your attorney that you feel is unjust, then you can dispute the bill without having to take your lawyer to court. Before disputing your bill, review your initial fee agreement, which should include details on how often you’ll be billed and what the rates will be. Then, review your bill in light of the fee agreement, your own records, and your understanding of what your attorney has done. Try to pinpoint areas where you feel you were overcharged or discrepancies in times or services. Instead of formally disputing your bill right away, call your lawyer and ask them to review and explain the bill. If you still disagree with your bill, write your lawyer a formal letter explaining which fees you're disputing and why. If this doesn't work, check with your state or local bar association to see if they offer free arbitration services. To learn how to prepare for an arbitration hearing, keep reading!

What to do if your bill doesn't go into detail?

Ask for a detailed accounting. If your bill doesn't go into detail regarding the charges, you should ask the attorney to provide you with one so you can better understand the charges.

What to do if you are allowed to have an attorney represent you during an arbitration?

Look for an attorney who is experienced in handling attorney's fees disputes. Make copies of any documents related to the fee dispute to take with you to the hearing.

What should be included in a fee agreement?

Your fee agreement should include details on how often you'll be billed, how costs will be computed, and the rates at which the attorney will bill for work completed.

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What should be included in a letter to dispute a bill?

On the subject line of your letter, include the date of the bill you're disputing and the case name, if any, that relates to the services for which you were billed.

How to dispute a bill?

If there is more than one item you want to dispute, you may want to format them in a bullet-point list. Identify the charge you dispute specifically and provide a brief description of why you dispute it.

What to look for in a pleading before filing?

Before filing with the court, you look over pleadings one last time to check for errors, proper exhibit references, and the correct names and designations on the certificate of service, to ensure the pleading is accurate and ready for filing.

How to sharpen a billing pencil?

1. Break it out. Don’t bill in blocks, bill in bites — small, bite-size pieces that detail all of the hard work you put into your pleadings and the like. Take a motion for summary judgment, for example.

How do lawyers charge?

Lawyers typically charge in one of a few ways. The most common method is billing by the hour. The lawyer keeps track of how much time is spent on your case and bills you for that time. Many lawyers bill in certain increments of time, such as six-minute increments. Examples of cases that are handled by the hour include criminal defense cases, contested divorce cases, business and real estate matters, and civil defense cases (any time you are being sued in court). (To learn more about hourly rates, see our article on how much lawyers typically charge .)

Why is it important to read your lawyer's fee agreement?

This is especially important if you will be charged by the hour. Pay particular attention to what the fee agreement says about: how disputes over legal bills will be handled .

What to do if your lawyer is charging you unfairly?

If you suspect that your lawyer is charging you unfairly, you can dispute the bill. Your first step should be to talk to the lawyer and try to work it out informally. However, if that’s unsuccessful, you can try a more formal forum, such as fee arbitration through your local bar association.

How to dispute a lawyer's fees?

If you suspect that your lawyer is charging you unfairly, you can dispute the bill. Your first step should be to talk to the lawyer and try to work it out informally . However, if that’s unsuccessful, you can try a more formal forum, such as fee arbitration through your local bar association. To learn more, see our article on how to dispute your bill for legal fees.

What are some examples of cases handled by the hour?

Examples of cases that are handled by the hour include criminal defense cases, contested divorce cases, business and real estate matters, and civil defense cases (any time you are being sued in court). (To learn more about hourly rates, see our article on how much lawyers typically charge .)

What is block billing?

Block billing: lumping in several different tasks in one line-item (for example, “Three hours: make phone call to opposing counsel to discuss settlement, perform legal research for summary judgment motion, and review documents produced by opposing counsel”).

Do lawyers get paid?

Like any professional, lawyers get paid for their expertise. However, with many lawyers charging hundreds of dollars per hour, legal bills can quickly add up. To avoid major sticker shock and fee disputes down the road, it helps to understand how your lawyer will charge you, what your bill will look like, and how to spot improper ...

How to write a bill for a law firm?

These should include when to send invoices, how long descriptions should be, what types of expenses must be included on bills and what should be written off, and any standard introductory communications on bills, if needed. 2. Write out the flow of your law firm’s billing process.

How to keep your billing process on track?

To keep your billing process on track, you should keep a close eye on outstanding balances, payments, and revenues. The following reports can help you monitor your law firm’s financial health and keep your billing process running smoothly:

What is LEDES billing?

LEDES, or Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard, is a standard format for electronic legal billing that uses specific format guidelines. It makes it easier for large organizations to handle large amounts of files and data, and assess invoices, as all they will all be coded in the same format.

Why is billing important in law?

Billing is critical to the success of your law firm. And yet, for many law firms, billing clients and chasing down payments can still be one of the most time-consuming, repetitive, and dreaded parts of the job.

Why send out bills?

With the right system, you can send out bills and reminders quickly, so there’s no reason to put off billing your clients. Sending out smaller bills consistently can lower the shock of a large unexpected bill. Plus, there’s the added benefit of encouraging a smoother cash flow for your firm.

What is billing history report?

The Billing History Report provides a detailed view of open receivables, past-due receivables, and paid invoices. This provides a complete history of your clients’ invoicing.

What is billing code?

Separate from descriptions, billing codes convey—at a high level—which activities or expenses a client is being billed for.

What to do if you receive a bill after signing a fee agreement?

If you have received a bill after you signed your fee agreement, refer to this agreement when handling this issue. Inform your attorney of the part of the agreement that applies. For example, if your attorney agreed not to charge you more than $3,000 in legal fees, refer to the paragraph that addresses the maximum amount that your attorney agreed to charge.

What to do if you have a complaint against a lawyer?

As a last resort, you may consider filing an ethical charge against the lawyer with the disciplinary committee that handles complaints about lawyers. Even if you do not officially make such a complaint, threatening to do so may further motivate the attorney to resolve the issue.

What is a fee agreement?

Legal fees are the amount that an attorney charges for his or her services, such as by providing you with legal advice, preparing legal motions and appearing in court. ...

What is the maximum amount of damages a person can seek in a small claims court?

There are certain jurisdictional limits regarding the maximum amount of damages that a person can seek in small claims court, such as $5,000.

Can a bar arbitrator arbitrate a dispute?

Even if a local bar association does not offer a program, you may be able to arbitrate your dispute. This process usually involves one or more neutral individuals who are typically trained in arbitration and alternative dispute resolutions. The neutral arbitrators hear both sides of the case and make a decision at the end. Both parties usually agree to make the arbitrator’s decision binding. This process may be less expensive and less time-consuming than going to court.

Can a lawyer charge a lower fee?

Lawyers have flexibility in their agreements and may choose to charge a particular client a lower rate or not to charge after a certain amount has been incurred in the case. If you do not like the arrangement with that lawyer, you can always hire a different one. If you have received a bill after you signed your fee agreement, ...

Can a mediator take a percentage of a dispute?

However, there may be a minimum fee to participate, and the mediator may be allowed to take a certain percentage of the fee that is in dispute. Even with these drawbacks, you may incur fewer expenses this way than if you had to litigate the case, and the issue may be resolved more quickly than going to court.

3 attorney answers

Yes. See Business and Professions Code section 6148 (b) which requires an attorney to provide a detailed billing statement within 10 days of request, unless a statements has been provided within the last 31 days. There are exceptions to this requirement as provided in subsection (d).

Michael Raymond Daymude

Yes, yes, yes. If you have continued issues and he/she refuses, make a report with the State Bar of California and request a fee dispute arbitration through the state bar. Good luck.

How long does it take for an attorney to bill?

In other words, if the round trip to court (not including time spent in court) is one hour, the attorney will bill three hours for one hour of billable time.

Do attorneys raise their fees?

Unfortunately, when some attorneys raise their fees, they do so for all of their current clients, not only the ones they retain after the increase.

Can the same attorney cost two clients?

That means that the same work, performed by the same attorney, might cost two clients dramatically different amounts. As a client, you don’t want to be placed in the uncomfortable, not to mention unfair, position of subsidizing another client’s case.

Nine Ways Lawyers Inflate Their Bills

As if legal fees weren't high enough, law firms have devised a number of ways to extract even more money from their clients. Consultant David Paige of Sterling Analytics scans corporate legal bills for charges that may pad partners' profit-sharing at the end of the year but don't pass the legal or ethical smell test.

Grazing

The telltale sign is a high-earning partner who seems to spend afternoons or entire days billing in 15-minute increments. He's "grazing," or popping into the offices of lower-ranking attorneys to discuss important client matters--or perhaps the score of the latest Mets game.

Conference rooms

Most professionals consider the conference room to be a cost of doing business. Some law firms have turned it into a profit center, forming separate LLCs to own the real estate and rent it out to clients for meetings.

Pyramiding

Big-city law firms are stuffed with young attorneys a year or two out of law school who are making photocopies, compiling records, and performing other tasks best left to a paralegal or secretary. It's all leverage for the partners: A second-year attorney earning maybe $60 an hour can be billed out at $300.

Piling On

Is there any reason for four or five partners to attend a routine court scheduling hearing? Or sit in on a conference call? Yes, if the billable hours are running light this month. Paige's rule for clients: Never let more than one partner on a phone call without permission.

Billing Preparation

Baker & Hostetler wants $59,000 for preparing its bill for the bankruptcy court in the Madoff securities case. This is allowed under the Bankruptcy Code, but Paige says no client should put up with it. Preparing a bill is part of the cost of being a lawyer.

Unspecified Expenses

Lawyers should enumerate every expense and identify the person doing it. Simply passing on a percentage of the overall bill smells like overhead, Paige says, and the law firm should eat it.

How many words per minute for court reporter?

For example, NCRA’s Registered Professional Reporter exam includes three dictations of five minutes each at 180, 200, and 225 words per minute. That’s a rate of three to almost four words per second every second for five solid minutes.

When objecting to a report, what should you do?

When objecting, don’t be at a loss for words and resort to hand signals or head nods in the general direction of the reporter. Instead, simply state the fact that you object, the grounds for your objection, and, where permitted, your argument. Doing so concisely makes it possible for the judge to rule promptly and for everyone to understand what is happening.

How to avoid being referred to in a transcript as an unidentified speaker?

The reporter needs to know who you are, whom you represent, and the caption of the case. This will prevent you from being referred to in the transcript as an unidentified speaker. Matters of identification are especially important in multiple-counsel cases. Reporters usually are good at associating names with faces, but they can’t do it if they don’t get the name right in the first place. You can help ensure a clean record if you identify yourself to the reporter when you rise to speak in a multiple-counsel case. In today’s world of technology, telephonic hearings are commonplace. It is imperative to identify yourself each time you speak during a telephonic proceeding.

Why is it important to have a good record during a deposition?

Oftentimes a witness becomes unavailable for a myriad of reasons. If this happens, counsel are forced to rely on the record they created during the deposition.

Why do we need a computerized transcript?

Besides providing greater access to the justice system, the computerized transcript affords the court and attorneys the ability to search the transcript automatically for keywords and phrases, thus greatly enhancing the ability to cross-check witnesses’ testimony for inconsistencies.

Why is a reporter's transcript important?

Making the Record. The reporter’s transcript is an important document before, during, and after a trial. The transcript and its electronic version are used for trial preparation, briefs, impeachment purposes, and, of course, for appellate review. Property, freedom, and life all can depend on a clear and accurate record.

Who can read a transcript?

The transcript may be read by opposing counsel, appellate judges, legal scholars, future generations of law students — maybe even by Supreme Court justices. When you keep this fact in mind, you take a big step toward creating an effective, usable record.