Emil Speaking– ABA: Beyond the Rules: Real-World Ethics in Small Firm Practice: From Time Entry to Trust Accounting: Protecting Your Practice and Your Clients

This Ethics CLE, part of a four-part series for practical ethics for small-firm practitioners, will focus on helping lawyers bill ethically and effectively, and cover essential topics including:

• Understanding Your Ethical Obligations: Dive into the relevant Rules of Professional Conduct that govern billing and fee agreements. Learn what constitutes an ethical fee and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to grievances or malpractice claims.
• Crafting Clear and Compliant Fee Agreements: Discover how to draft comprehensive and ethical retainer agreements that protect both you and your client. We’ll discuss different fee structures (hourly, flat, contingent), what must be included, and how to effectively communicate these terms to prevent misunderstandings.
• Accurate Timekeeping and Documentation: Learn best practices for meticulous timekeeping, including the benefits of detailed descriptions and contemporaneous entries. We’ll discuss tools and techniques to ensure your billing is accurate, transparent, and defensible.
• Avoiding Common Billing Disputes: Gain insights into the most frequent causes of billing complaints and how proactive measures can prevent them. We’ll review strategies for clear communication, managing client expectations, and handling fee disputes professionally and ethically.
• The Nuances of Billing for Overhead and Administrative Tasks: Understand what expenses are properly billable to a client and what should be considered firm overhead. We’ll discuss ethical guidelines for charging for paralegal time, administrative services, and office expenses.