1973, July, Pg. 23. Billing Clients and Making Collections.

• Author: by William M. Peek

2 Colo.Law. 23

The Colorado Lawyer

1973.

1973, July, Pg. 23.

Billing Clients and Making Collections

23Vol. 2, No. 9, Pg. 23Billing Clients and Making Collectionsby William M. PeekSuccessful billing technique begins with your initial conference with your client.

It is advantageous to make your own appointments when possible, to assure that the client's name is properly spelled on your appointment calendar and to ascertain the correct pronunciation---you can add a phonetic spelling if the name is unusual. It is important to your client to be known and to have his name properly pronounced. This telephone contact will also provide a moment to become aware of the client's problem and avoid wasting both his time and yours in an initial conference which discloses that he is interested in obtaining a patent, and you, in general practice, have no background in this specialized area. You can make a one or two word reference on your calendar as to the nature of the problem so that later you can open the initial conference with, "Now, you wished to discuss a mechanic's lien filed against your residence..."

When the client arrives, go to your waiting room to greet him and escort him to your office. Advise your secretary to hold all phone calls and you will thereby have told the client that nothing is more important to you than the discussion of his problem. Similarly, let there be no files or papers on your desk except the file of this client. You have now set the stage so that you can give your full attention to the problem of the client in order that you may best be able to advise him.

Discussing the FeeAfter reviewing the problem and, when possible, suggesting a course of action to the client, open the discussion with regard to your fee. A Missouri Bar survey of a number of years ago concluded that 80 percent of the clients wished fees discussed at the initial conference and 88 percent of these persons preferred that the subject be broached by the lawyer. In certain areas of practice, you can without hesitation state an exact charge, as where there is to be a simple will or a new corporation. At the other end of the spectrum, the vicissitudes may dictate that you can do no more than set forth the applicable elements of Canon 2 of the Code of Professional Responsibility that will be considered in the ultimate billing. Those factors are:a. Time.

b. Effort.

c. Complexity or responsibility.

d. Total value of claim.

e...