How many Lawyer Hours Does it Take to Write a Useless “Lawyer Letter”?

How many Lawyer Hours Does it Take to Write a Useless “Lawyer Letter”?

March 4, 2007

This is a prototypical example of how many lawyer-hours it takes to write what we consider brain-dead lawyer letters (from having seen several of them, and judging by the results), such as the ones critics of the CZ board have received in the recent past – and very consistent with a story we run on a Wall Street Journal Article titled: Lawyer's charge opens window on bill padding



The table below shows an actual example of such a letter, comparing the time of a big time lawyer, versus the time we took to do equivalent tasks The actual results also do not compare! - Guess which appraoch is more cost-efficient?



Now bear in mind that big time lawyers are paired with a partners, and the partner has to get a cut as well.



Rough average cost for the times listed below:



Partner $500.00

Associate $375.00



Do the math!






Lawyer/Partner Activity
Time
Buzz Time


Develop approach hours

Email correspondence with client



Begin preparing letter



Prepare letter



Revise and finalize letter



Review letter from opposing counsel



Review letter inquiry from adverse party



Telephone conference

Review email conference

Email correspondence
0.35



0.25



0.25



0.90



0.35



0.20



0.70



0.45



0.25



0.15
0.0



0.0



0.0



.15



0



.0005



0



0



0



.05