Subject Index Attorney Fees

1099s for deadbeat clients?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2009
LawPulse
, Page 10
 A law-office management expert puts forth the option of sending a nonpaying client a 1099 for the value of your services. Is it really OK to do so?

Correspondence from Our Readers

November
2008
Column
, Page 546
Two takes on two-tiered billing.

Don’t Be Afraid To Be Paid

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2008
Cover Story
, Page 558
Learn how to create a bill-paying culture among your clientele.

Two-Tiered Billing in Illinois Divorce Cases - a Critique

By James H. Feldman
September
2008
Article
, Page 452
Illinois divorce lawyers typically charge a higher hourly rate for court than for office time. It's time that changed, the author argues

Engagement Letters, Fees and the Dowling Case

By David A. Berek & Fred R. McMorris
May
2008
Column
, Page 262
Consult Dowling for guidance on fee arrangements and how to describe them in engagement letters.

Correspondence from Our Readers

January
2008
Column
, Page 6
Labeling security retainers; order-of-protection abuse.

From Here to Retainer Fees

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2007
Cover Story
, Page 636
Learn how to craft retainer agreements to define and clarify the scope of your engagement, why it’s important to collect fees up front, and more.

Initial consultations - satisfaction or your money back?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2007
LawPulse
, Page 398
Should lawyers provide free consultations to prospective clients? Discounts to new clients? Refunds of a consult fee to clients who ask for one? ISBA lawyers offer their opinions.

Validity of advance payment retainers for attorneys upheld

July
2007
Illinois Law Update
, Page 348
On May 3, 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirming the Circuit Court of Cook County's judgment ordering DLA Piper to turn over funds from an advance payment retainer paid by defendant Michael Davis.

The Illinois Supreme Court OKs advance payment retainers

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2007
LawPulse
, Page 286
The court last month approved lawyers' use of the advance payment retainer, cautioning that more familiar retainer agreements will be the preferred option in most cases.

It’s official - you can’t collect fees for collecting your own fees

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2007
LawPulse
, Page 286
As a matter of public policy, "lawyers representing themselves simply do not incur legal fees," the third district ruled recently.

The trouble with hourly billing

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2007
LawPulse
, Page 286
Does the tradition of billing by the hour push lawyers to pad bills and thus engage in the kind of "dishonest" behavior forbidden by the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct?

Bad faith needed for defendant to receive attorney fees under the Consumer Fraud Act

March
2007
Illinois Law Update
, Page 124
On December 21, 2006, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, and the Circuit Court of Cook County, striking the defendants' petition for fees.

Extra fees for extra effort - a win in the appellate court

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2007
LawPulse
, Page 66
The appellate court reversed the trial court's rejection of a plaintiff's firm's argument that its extraordinary effort justified fees that exceeded the statutory med-mal limit.

Accepting Payment by Credit Card: Priceless?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2007
Cover Story
, Page 18
Setting yourself up to accept credit card payments has its advantages - and its risks. 

Billing Gallantly

By Karen Erger
December
2006
Column
, Page 684
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Legislature overturns one-year limit on family-law fee suits

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2006
LawPulse
, Page 458
    Family law practitioners now have 10 years to sue clients in an independent action for unpaid fees. 

Reasonable Fees in Dissolution of Marriage Cases

By Donald C. Schiller
September
2006
Article
, Page 474
A look at what the cases say about what constitutes a "reasonable" attorney fee in a divorce proceeding.

Trial Lawyers’ Top Opinions of 2005

By Hon. James P. Flannery Jr.
March
2006
Article
, Page 122
From pre-trial notice requirements to spoliation of evidence, 2005 produced an array of Illinois cases of special interest to the trial bar.

Attorney’s fees are not recoverable absent express statutory or contractual language

February
2006
Illinois Law Update
, Page 68
On December 1, 2005, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, reversed the decision of the Circuit Court of Menard County, which held that a contract provision stipulating that the defendant management company would be responsible for "all collection costs" allowed recovery for attorney's fees.

Attorney has no right to contingency agreement fees if client does not appeal unfavorable decision

November
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 564
On August 5, 2005, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of Cook County dismissing the plaintiff's complaint. 

Fees, Part 1: Budgeting required for Capital Litigators

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Appointed criminal defense counsel must now submit budget estimates under the amended Capital Crimes Litigation Act.
 

Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys?

Law firm’s failure to register under Rule 721 not UPL

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2005
LawPulse
, Page 330
And that means an unregistered firm can collect its attorney fee award, the supreme court holds.

Failure to register under Supreme Court Rule 721(c) does not amount to the unauthorized practice of law

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
On March 24, 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the orders of both the appellate and circuit courts, which vacated an attorney fees award. 

Fee arrangements made prior to a client’s death will remain in tact, absent proof of intent to change the fee arrangement

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
On March 18, 2005, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the Circuit Court of Cook County's decision denying a motion for declaratory judgment by the defendants. 

Fee Not-So-Simple: Referral Fee Dos and Don’ts

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2005
Cover Story
, Page 236
It's permissible to refer cases to other lawyers and share in the fee, as long as you meet the requirements.

Maximum hourly amount for attorney’s fees increased for contested unemployment insurance matters

April
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 170
The Illinois Department of Employment Security recently amended 56 Ill Adm Code 2720.20. These changes became effective on January 24, 2005.

Highlights of the 2004 ISBA Law Firm Economic Benchmarking Survey

By Virginia Grant
December
2004
Cover Story
, Page 624
How well are ISBA lawyers doing economically? Our recent economic survey provides answers to this and other questions.

Disbursement, within the meaning of section 14 of the Arbitration Act, does not include an award of attorney’s fees

September
2004
Illinois Law Update
, Page 456
On June 14, 2004, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the Circuit Court of Cook County's denial of a petition for attorney's fees.

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