Fill and Sign the Sample Firm Billing Policies Form

3.04[5]c Sample Firm Billing PoliciesIntroduction We look forward to doing business with you. This document outlines our standard billing practices. Fees Our fees are based on the time required to handle the matter at our normal individual lawyer/paralegal hourly rates. Rates for lawyers in the Firm range from $___ per hour for the most junior associates to $___ per hour for our most senior attorneys. The rate for paralegals is $___ per hour. The rates of our lawyers and paralegals are subject to change. We will charge for all time spent representing your interests, including, by way of example, telephone and office conferences with you or your representatives, co-counsel, opposing counsel, fact witnesses, consultants (if any), and others; conferences among our legal and paralegal personnel; participation in discovery; factual investigation; legal research; responding to your requests for us to provide you or your representatives with additional information; responding to clients' requests to provide information to auditors in connection with reviews or audits of financial statements; preparation of letters, pleadings, and other documents; and attendance at depositions, hearings, mediations, closings, trials, or other proceedings; and travel. Hourly charges are applied to total time devoted to client representation including travel time, when necessary. Costs and Expenses We have established prevailing rates for all charges that will be incurred during the course of this representation. You will be responsible for all such charges that we incur in the course of this representation and will be responsible for reimbursing us for any actual costs advanced on your behalf. Our charges include, but are not limited to travel, copying, facsimile charges, messenger services, long distance phone calls, computer research services, secretarial overtime and filing fees. These charges may also include any sales or service tax that may be applicable. Expenses of Outside Contractors Generally, expenses of outside contractors, such as court reporters, surveyors, title companies, may be directly billed or directed to the client. It is important to note, that the prompt payment of these charges to outside contractors is essential to be able to provide timely and efficient service to you in the future, with the assistance of such contractors. If desired, with sufficient expense deposits in advance, we will directly pay the outside contractors. The amount of the retainer and deposit may be increased as circumstances require (for example, at the time of trial), but in any event will be applied to the payment of our final bill or refunded, as applicable. Type of Invoice Unless otherwise agreed, we will send you a monthly invoice which reflects the amount of our fees and expenses attributable to the matter. At your option, the invoice will be either generalized or detailed. The generalized invoice will indicate total fees due for legal work accomplished and the total costs charged to the file. In the alternative, the invoice will have a detailed backup sheet showing the attorney that worked on the matter (to the 10th of an hour); the work performed; the time spent on the task; and, the total fee amount due. Payment of InvoicesWe will bill our time charges on a monthly basis. Each invoice is payable upon receipt. Any unpaid balance not paid within thirty (30) days of the billing date may incur interest upon such balance at the rate of 1.5% per month. In the event we receive a payment from a client at a time when more than one invoice is outstanding on any one or more matters for that client, we will apply that payment to any such invoice(s), unless the payment is accompanied by the remittance copy of the invoice(s) being paid or by some other written indication from the client directing how the payment is to be applied. It is the policy of the Firm to discontinue representation, in a manner in accordance with the Rules of Professional Responsibility governing the [State] Bar, for any client whose account is more than ________ (___) days in arrears, unless special arrangements are made with the Firm's Management Committee. Individual attorneys are not authorized to make such arrangements or to waive this policy. In the event we are ultimately required to bring suit to collect any unpaid fees or costs, you understand and agree that we shall be entitled to the reasonable value of our attorneys' fees and costs. Retainers For certain types of matters, our policy is to require that our clients provide us with an initial fee retainer and expense deposit. The exact amount of this retainer and deposit will be agreed to by the client and the billing attorney. Unless other arrangements are made, the retainer for legal fees and expenses will be held throughout the engagement and will be applied against payment of the last invoice on the matter or refunded if the account is up to date. The cost and expense deposit will be retained in our trust account, with interest on that account to be paid in accordance with the rules of the _____________ Court of [State]. Different Billing Arrangements Individual billing arrangements that differ from these general policies will be discussed and agreed to between the client and the billing attorney and will be set forth in a retention letter. Attorney's Lien To secure payment to the Firm of all sums due under this Agreement for legal services rendered and/or costs advanced, you hereby authorize us to withdraw sums from our client trust account to pay your statements for services as such sums are billed, and grant us a lien for attorneys' fees and costs on all retainers, escrow accounts, trust accounts, real, personal or intangible property claims and causes of action subject to our representation of you and the proceeds of any recovery obtained. Mutual Right to Terminate Relationship Of course, every client has the right to terminate our representation at any time for any reason. We have the same right upon giving the client reasonable notice so that suitable arrangements can be made by the client to obtain alternative representation, in accordance with the Rules of Professional Responsibility governing the [State] Bar. Among the reasons for which we may terminate representation are: (1) nonpayment of our fees, charges or costs; (2) the client's failure or refusal to be forthright, cooperative or supportive of our efforts; (3) the client's misrepresentation of, or failure or refusal to disclose material facts; (4) the client's failure or refusal to accept our advice; (5) discovery of a conflict with another client of the Firm, or (6) any other reason permitted or required under the Rules of Professional Responsibility governing the [State] Bar.Subject to any limitations imposed by a court, the Firm or you may terminate the Firm's representation upon ten (10) days' written notice. Following termination, we will continue to provide representation in the matter for a reasonable time, at your request, until arrangements can be made for alternate representation. However, our services will consist of only those necessary to protect your interests and prevent prejudice. Moreover, if substitute counsel have not been located within ten (10) days of the termination of the representation, you nonetheless agree that appropriate papers allowing the Firm to withdraw may be filed. We will be entitled to be paid for all services rendered and other charges accrued on your behalf to the date of our withdrawal. Questions Regarding Billings Any questions regarding billing should be immediately directed to the billing attorney or to our Accounting Department.