Comments on: “The Billable Hour Must Die”

By: Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:43:42 +0000

Paul, you’re right. There’s a balance between appearing too “cheap” and costing too much. Seth Godin always preaches about charging a premium and marketing the value like crazy. However, I just think the market can no longer bear high fees. So on the one hand, it might appear that lawyers are offering their services for “cheap.” But on the other hand, those lawyers might just be ahead of the curve.

By: Paul Jacobson

Paul Jacobson — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:30:50 +0000

Do you think there is a risk that reducing hourly rates (where they are still used) would lead clients to devalue the work done on the basis that it is being done for less? Clients still seem to value work more highly when it costs an arm and a leg.

By: Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:05:01 +0000

I agree, Tex. The legal profession is saturated.

By: Ken Kaufman

Ken Kaufman — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:13:55 +0000

Very valid points. we use a structure of billings with our clients that i thin lawyers could learn a lot from.

By: Tex

Tex — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:10:35 +0000

Agreed. Other major goals of change should be faster court decisions. We seem to have forgotten about the concept of “justice delayed is justice denied.” These changes will probably result in less lawyers, as the competent ones will stay, the ones who can only drag things along will be gone. However, the new administration will probably take us further in the other direction.