Check a proposed fee and expenses against Rule 1.5(a)
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- List each Rule 1.5(a) factor the file actually speaks to, and each expense the draft would charge the client. Do not say the fee is reasonable.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide whether the fee and the expenses are reasonable. Rule 1.5(a) says a lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. The factors in (a)(1) through (a)(8) are the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions, and the skill required; the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the employment will preclude other employment; the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar services; the amount involved and the results obtained; time limitations imposed by the client or the circumstances; the nature and length of the professional relationship; the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyers performing the services; and whether the fee is fixed or contingent. Comment [1] says those factors are not exclusive and that not every factor is relevant every time. The same comment says expenses charged to the client must be reasonable, and that an in-house cost such as copying may be either a reasonable amount agreed in advance or an amount that reasonably reflects the cost incurred. The tool does not conclude that the fee is reasonable.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Potential support includes preparing preliminary structure or wording. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Calculate operative dates independently from the current rule and actual triggering event. Check exceptions and record the verified deadline.
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.