Are Lower Billables Start of a Trend?

Some midsize law firms are cutting billable hour requirements, perhaps ushering in change at other law firms, the National Law Journal concludes.

“Such a strategy is something other law firms say they are contemplating and could represent the advent of a change in the industry that many contend is long overdue,” the story says.

Among the law firms that have cut billables or changed the requirements are:

--Atlanta-based Ford & Harrison, which abandoned any requirements.

--Dallas-based Strasburger & Price, which cut the requirement from 1,920 to 1,600 hours.

--Chicago-based Chapman and Cutler, which allows associates to choose whether to work fewer hours at lower pay or more hours at higher pay.

--Boston-based Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, which requires only 1,600 hours but pays about $30,000 less to first years than other comparable firms.