FEATURES: PRACTICE-BASED ALTERNATIVE FEE ARRANGEMENTS

The Billable Hour Zombie: Why You Need to Act Now to Avoid an Attack on Your Business

By Jessika M. Ferm

Various factors seriously threaten the traditional hourly billing system—but some easy-to-implement strategies will help you realign.

“This Isn't Your Father's Law Firm”—But Maybe It Should Be

By Victor J. Medina

Are you ready for a practical alternative to the “legal services as commodities” trend? Here’s an approach that builds a longtime client family.

Make Time Work For You: Handling Cases on a Fixed-Fee Basis

By J. Benjamin Stevens

There are multiple reasons why handling cases on a fixed-fee basis is better for both our clients and ourselves.

Fixed-Fee Engagements in Litigation Cases: Why and How

By Michael Sherman

Making the argument for why fixed fees are better than hourly billing, along with practical tips for how to make the switch.

Client-Directed Billing: Shifts in Who Defines the Value of Legal Services

By Jim Calloway and Mark A. Robertson

More and more, clients are directing how the value of the legal services they use is determined and many of them are looking at alternatives to hourly billing.

From Practice to Business: Flat-Fee Relationship Engagements for Transactional Lawyers

By Kevin E. Houchin

Getting beyond the hourly billing trap requires admitting there’s a better way—and then acting to implement it.

MANAGEMENT

Chair's Column

Getting Creative with Your Fees

By Micah Buchdahl

The creativity can be endless, if you are willing to simply change the way you are used to doing business.

How the Recession Has Affected Elder Law Firms

By Kenneth M. Coughlin

A survey reveals the variety of steps that practitioners are taking to counter slumps in their market.

TECHNOLOGY

Making the Most Out of Digital Dictation: Give It a Try and Get More Done

By Peter A. Jones

The current wave of digital dictation tools offers fresh options when it comes to mobility and efficiency.

Best of ABA TECHSHOW – iPhone Tips for Lawyers

By Jeff Richardson and Ben Stevens

The iPhone can help you become a more productive lawyer, especially if you know how to make the most of it.

FINANCE

Making Alternative Fee Arrangements Work in Corporate Litigation

By Ed Poll

Why and how to employ an alternative billing philosophy in which lawyer and client share risk based on the case’s outcome.

MEET THE WOMEN RAINMAKERS!

Rosemary Turner

Interview by Shelley Canter

This UPS officer gives back by mentoring young people to pursue their career ambitions.