Miscellaneous

If you bill by the hour, then the most important writing you do for your own career are your time entries. A time entry can inform the client about what you?re doing and how it?s helping to accomplish your client?s goal. Or not. For an example of the not, read this excellent post by Donna Bader on An Appeal to Reason. Donna?s post is about a lawyer?s fee statement submitted for judicial approval. The court was so unimpressed that it cut the bill by over 90%, from over $250,000 to $21,300. To see some of the things the lawyer did wrong, read Donna?s post.

Donna concludes with this advice for submitting motions for court approval of attorney fees:  ?Pay attention to providing adequate details of your services, and avoid duplication of efforts when more than one attorney is performing services.  But, above all else, protect your credibility with the court.? I would add: Do the same thing when submitting a bill for your client?s approval. Write time entries that protect and enhance your credibility with your client.