Billable Hours May Never Go Away, but There's Room for Other Drivers of Performance
By shifting some focus away from input (billable hours) and embracing output (results), law firms can become more efficient and resilient to industry changes, improve client satisfaction, attract top talent and be better equipped to meet other, more long-term financial targets.
October 03, 2023 at 11:58 AM
5 minute read
Tracy LaLonde of Joychiever. Courtesy photo
Lawyer Wellness
Ah, the B-word. Attorneys have a complicated relationship with it. For many, it's the bane of their existence, but billables are also the holy grail of law firm profitability.
The billable hours system is the lifeblood of law firms, but the relentless pursuit of it can be detrimental.
Success isn't only about how many hours are worked—it's also about results. Putting billable hours on a pedestal is a bit like awarding a gold medal to the athlete who spent the most time training, even though they came in fifth place.
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