Five Things to Notice in Your Lawyer’s Bill

Two experts break down how to look closely at your lawyer’s bill and make sure the fees are reasonable. (If not, you have the right to request a discount!)

A couple look over their bills at the kitchen table.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A recent article, Overbilled by Your Lawyer? You’re Not Alone, told the story of a lawyer whose firm touted expertise that she didn’t yet have and billed for time that she didn’t work. That story led to an e-mail captioned “Bravo” from Professor Nancy B. Rapoport of William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Collaborating with Joseph Tiano, the founder and CEO of Legal Decoder, a legal data analytics company, the pair have written extensively about the reasonableness of attorney fees as well as on using time entries to predict risk factors for legal malpractice.

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H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
Attorney at Law, Author of "You and the Law"

After attending Loyola University School of Law, H. Dennis Beaver joined California's Kern County District Attorney's Office, where he established a Consumer Fraud section. He is in the general practice of law and writes a syndicated newspaper column, "You and the Law." Through his column he offers readers in need of down-to-earth advice his help free of charge. "I know it sounds corny, but I just love to be able to use my education and experience to help, simply to help. When a reader contacts me, it is a gift."