Hornstine Law, LLC
PA: 215-568-4968
NJ: 609-523-2222
FL: 727-538-4178
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  • About Our Firm
  • Our Attorneys
    • Louis F. Hornstine, Esq.
    • Blair Leah Hornstine, Esq.
    • Eric C. Garrabrant, Esq.
    • Buneka J. Islam, Esq.
    • John A. Richert, Esq.
    • Patrick D. Quarles, Esq.
    • David J. Groth, Esq.
    • Brian A. Pelloni, Esq.
    • Richard L. Vanderslice, Esq.
    • Peter M. Williams, Esq.
    • David Louis Cohen, Esq.
  • Our Practices
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Complex Civil Litigation
    • Criminal Offenses
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Gun Charges
      • Drug Crimes
      • DUI / DWI Defense
      • Traffic & Municipal Court Violations
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      • Inappropriate Punishment
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    • Estate Planning and Probate
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      • Avoiding Probate
      • Death Taxes
      • Guardianship of an Estate of a Minor
      • Guardianship of an Incapacitated Person
      • Removal of a Personal Representative
      • Will Contest
    • Personal Injuries
      • Premises Liability
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      • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Traffic Court
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      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Our Blog
    • Character & Fitness / Ethics
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    • Estate Planning
  • Contact Us

Importance of Keeping Track of Your Time

Please note that this is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.

Attorneys are familiar with their duties and obligations for maintaining records of billable hours. This is especially important if you have an hourly or flat fee agreement with your clients. However, even in contingency cases, it is essential to know what was specifically finished on a case as well as how many hours it took to complete each task.

For flat fee cases, it is important to remember that your fee agreement should state if the fee is earned upon receipt or non-refundable. If it does not, then it is best practice to treat the payment as a retainer and place it in your IOLTA account until it is fully earned. If you fail to do so, you can subject yourself to disciplinary action for violation of RPC 1.15. Further, if a client dismisses an attorney, the client may be entitled to a refund of a flat fee.

If you can justify the time you have spent and detail every aspect of your representation, then you have a stronger basis to not only show that your flat fee was reasonable but also that it was fully earned.

Additionally, it is important to keep your time keeping records safe. If you keep them electronically, it is essential that you maintain the records in multiple locations in case of a technical failure. If you lose these records, it is impossible to resurrect what you have done on any cases with necessary accuracy. In order to protect yourself, it is essential to ensure that these records are maintained and that you have a back-up for these records.



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Our Office Locations

Bristol, PA Office
2 Canal’s End Road
Suite 201A
Bristol, PA 19007
Map & Directions

Philadelphia, PA Office
1500 Walnut Street
21st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Map & Directions

Clearwater, FL Office
13575 58th Street North
Clearwater, Florida 33760
Available by appointment
Map & Directions

Hornstine & Garrabrant, LLC
Wildwood, NJ Office

5606 New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
"By appointment only"
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Why Two Firm Names?

PA (215) 568-4968

NJ (609) 523-2222

FL (727) 538-4178

Fax (609) 964-1849
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