A recent op-ed piece in The New York Times by Northwestern University Adjunct Professor Steven J. Harper explores the challenges and drawbacks – both to law firms and their clients – of determining legal fees on the basis of hourly rates. The article is interesting, and well worth your consideration.

Despite what Harper refers to as “the tyranny of the billable hour,” I do not believe that all law firms can stop using this method of calculating fees as of tomorrow morning. However, I do think that lawyers need to be able to communicate – one client at a time – how they internally ensure that their billing process is not abused, and that clients are always treated fairly.

I invite you to let me know your thoughts on this subject by way of a comment on this blog post, or by contacting me directly.