NCJ Number
75118
Journal
University of Florida Law Review Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 424-441
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
An allocation model is presented to demonstrate to attorneys how to maximize the profit margin while operating within ethical and other constraints.
Abstract
The strategy involves allocating as little time as possible to cases involving flat fees or fixed salary, and as much time as possible to cases paid on an hourly rate. In contingency fee cases, the strategy requires allocating a quantity of hours between the minimum and the maximum by determining the relation between billable hours and damages awarded as indicated through analysis of cases similar to the case under consideration. The analysis could be accomplished through a computerized system of case data gathering, retrieval, and processing or through noncomputerized data kept by attorneys on index cards and organized by subsets. The recommended optimum hours from the analysis allow for aggravating and extenuating circumstances; comparing the optimums across cases indicate which clients to encourage or accept as well as improvements in the allocation of time among accepted cases. The application of management science developments that have been successfully used as resources in business firms to develop computerized case management systems could greatly expand the rational use of attorney time. Graphs and 19 footnotes are included. (Author abstract modified)