Fee Dispute Hotline
(312) 907-7275

Assisting with High-Stakes Attorney Fee Disputes

The NALFA

News Blog

On Large Attorney Fee Matters, Retain an Attorney Fee Expert Early

April 7, 2010 | Posted in : Billing Practices, Expenses / Costs, Fee Award Factors, Fee Expert / Member, Fee Request, Hourly Rates, Litigation Management

Billing attorneys should submit his/her own opinion on the amount of a reasonable attorney fee.  The attorneys in the litigation are considered “experts” on the work they did and the reasonable value of it.  However, litigating attorneys are not experts on prevailing market rates, customary law firm billing practices, billing judgment, effective litigation management practices, and a host of other factors that affect reasonable attorney fees.  Qualified attorney fee experts have years of substantive experience on reasonable attorney fees and have provided expert reports, opinions, and testimony on the reasonableness of attorney fees in a variety of cases.  An expert opinion on the reasonableness of attorney fees from a qualified fee expert can move attorney fee figures significantly. 

Not only can a fee expert point out the strengths and weaknesses of your fee invoices and billing records, but can help you settle your case.  An expert opinion on the reasonableness of attorney fees from a qualified fee expert can be the biggest asset you have in settling the case.  Only an opinion from a well-credential, qualified fee expert can make the opposing counsel tell his/her client about the chances of taking the matter further.  If the case does not settle, your fee expert can help you win at trial.  Attorneys should tell their clients about the benefits of hiring and using an expert on attorney fees early in a case and how those benefits outweigh the expense. 

Source:  Leonard Bucklin, Attorney Fee Awards: A Handbook for Attorneys