Billing Practices - Comparing Solo, Small, Large Firm Practices

Many paralegals are not aware of the many significant different kinds of law firms that are available and the differences in what the expectations are for billing practices. Did you know that attorneys didn’t always bill by the hour and that it was actually mandated? The history of billing will be presented in this session along with the different billing practices of Plaintiff law firms and Defense law firms. The size of the firm can make a significant difference in the practice of billable hours. Expectations vary from firm to firm. The significant differences in how the actual law work is handled in different size firms of the law offices will be presented in this session, which will show the diversity within the profession and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Carolyn Yellis, ACP received her paralegal certificate from Southern California College of Business & Law in 1991 and her Certified Paralegal certification credential (CP) from NALA in 1998. In July, 2006, she completed the Advanced Paralegal Certification program in Discovery and earned her Advanced Certified Paralegal designation. She is a frequent author for several legal periodicals such as Facts & Findings, and the Solo & Small Firm Section of the California State Bar’s Big News. She has been a speaker/panelist at numerous conferences and educational seminars including the Orange County Paralegal Association, California Alliance of Paralegal Associations, American Bar Association, State Bar of California, NALA, the Orange County Bar and their affiliates, promoting the paralegal association, voluntary certification through the NALA’s certification programs and the need for a statutory definition. As president of CAPA in 2000, Ms. Yellis testified before the California Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees in support of AB 1761, which was codified as Business & Professions Code 6450, et seq. Ms. Yellis is an ardent supporter of continuing education for paralegals and wholeheartedly supported the Senate Judiciary’s recommendation that California paralegals complete continuing education. Ms. Yellis is currently serving as NALA as a member of the Board of Directors from Region IX and Secretary and Legislative Chair for the California State Bar’s Solo & Small Firm Section

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