The Billable Hours Derby: Empirical Data on the Problems and Pressure Points

abstract

• This article considers the consequences of law firm use of the hourly billing method and the recent increase in billable hour requirements. Part I of this article describes the rationale and methodology of an empirical study conducted in 2005 that explored attorney work-life issues and employer efforts to assist attorneys in dealing with work-life conflicts. Part II summarizes select study findings related to billable hours requirements and pressure. Part III concludes by considering what forces and players will change the current course of conduct in which law firm leaders treat increases in billable hours expectations as a necessary evil.

authors

• Fortney, Susan

published proceedings

• Fordham Urban Law Journal

author list (cited authors)

• Fortney, S. S.

complete list of authors

• Fortney, Susan Saab

publication date

• November 2005

publisher

• Fordham Law School  Publisher

published in

• Fordham Urban Law Journal  Journal

keywords

• Attorney Work-life
• Billable Hours
• Law Firms

URI

• https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/464

start page

• 171

end page

• 192

volume

• 33

issue

• 1