Answer a client's request for information about fees and expenses incurred
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- List the fees and expenses the file records for the period the client asked about, and any figure the file does not support. Do not send the report.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide what is sent and whether the request is reasonable. Rule 1.4(a)(3) requires the lawyer to keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter. Rule 1.4(a)(4) requires the lawyer to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information. Rule 1.4(b) requires the lawyer to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation. Rule 1.5(b) is the rule on communicating the basis or rate of the fee and the expenses for which the client will be responsible. Rule 1.5(c) requires a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance, only when the fee is contingent and the matter has concluded. These pages do not state a national deadline for an itemised bill. The tool does not decide that the request is reasonable and does not send the report.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Consider narrowly defined preparation support after confirming 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.
- 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.