Author: Michael S. Dorsi
Many clients actively work with their attorneys to minimize their bills, and understandably so. Some choices are within the client’s control, such as making a motion for summary judgment. Others are not — like when the other side files a motion.
I have always understood the conventional wisdom to be that the moving party ends up with a larger bill for motion work – at least in California where the moving party writes two briefs, while the opposing party writes only one.[1] But a review of past matters suggests this may be incorrect.
Looking at federal court motions in the 2014-2016 timeframe, I found that opposing a motion often consumed more attorney hours — and resulted in higher bills — than making a similar motion. It was a small sample size, but the result is consistent with a different analysis: when you decide the strategy, you have more control over costs. But when the other side picks their spots, maybe lawyers end up spending more time adjusting to the other side’s focus.
Attorneys: does this match your experience?
Academics: there are a lot of attorney bills in the public domain because of fee applications — perhaps this would be a good subject for research . . .
[1] Some courts, such as the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, have only one brief by each side unless there is a reason to have additional briefing. See D. Mass. Local Rule 7.1(b)(2)–(3).