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Does anyone have experience with Ben Glass’s “Great Legal Marketing” programs? https://greatlegalmarketing.com
I ordered a free “starter kit” from his company and received a decent-sized box with some books and audio CD’s. Haven’t listened to the CD’s yet, but the books aren’t bad, with plenty of practical advice.
Now he’s running a promotion where you can get two months of his basic-level course for just $19.95 to cover the cost of shipping. It seems that Ben is one of the better-regarded legal marketing “gurus” out there.
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I do this and include it in bold in my engagement letter. I only do it when it is a meeting, telephone call, or email, that requires immediate attention from the client after normal hours or if we have to have a meeting after normal hours because of the clients convenience or schedule, then the 1.5x or 2x kicks in. If i am working on their case after hours or weekends because of my own business demands, then they get the normal rate.
It is amazing though...just explaining to the potential client that just lile they get 1.5 or double time for their overtime or holiday work, I do too. Since I have implemented that, the late night and weekend phone calls have almost completely stopped.
This seems like a good way to put the ball in the client’s court. “How important is it to you? Enough to pay extra?”
I can’t see this being workable or defensible from an ethics standpoint. To some extent, attorneys are professionals and can prioritize tasks, so how could you justify working on someone’s matter at a lower, standard working hours rate but another at the higher one just because you didn’t get to until a certain time of day?
Also, for emergencies prompted by the opposition I don’t think it’s justifiable for your client to incur a higher rate because the other side’s actions required you to respond “after hours.”
Have you already tried being super clear with your clients that you will respond to non-emergency communications the following business day, and then make that your practice? I just don’t see this being workable, and it would never pass muster with a judge reviewing a fee agreement.
Also, for context: we are a domestic relations boutique. Some parent representation in child welfare. About 80% litigation; 20% appeals.
As A1 said. I wouldn’t do it just to make more money. But the number of people who want weekends or in person late in the day is really starting to be ridiculous. We tell everyone our latest scheduled appointment is 4:00. Then number of people who give me: but then I have to take time off work and you’re across town.
I am a professional. But this is my work. I do it for a living. It’s not a hobby between 9 and 5 and professionalism before or after.
What state(s) are you in? I’d check for ethics opinions but generally under the model rules and ABA Formal Opinions I don’t think there’s any ethics issue, very interesting idea.