I’ll Never Bill Another Hour

For most of my career, I billed by the hour.

I’ll never do it again.

Not because it can’t work. I just don’t think it’s the best way to serve clients.

Over twenty years, I can’t tell you how many times a client has said some version of, “I almost didn’t call because I was worried about the bill.”

I’ve done the exact same thing myself when I’ve hired lawyers.

You hesitate before sending the email. You wonder whether the “quick question” is really worth asking. You wait.

Sometimes nothing happens.

Sometimes the problem gets bigger.

Not because it had to.

Because someone spent a week deciding whether the phone call was worth the bill.

I don’t think clients should have to decide whether they can afford to ask the next question.

That’s why I built Audette Law the way I did.

Every matter is handled on a flat fee. Every one.

Not because it’s trendy.

Because I think lawyers and clients make better decisions when they’re on the same side of the table.

Clients aren’t paying for my time.

They’re paying for my judgment.

If experience means I can solve a problem in twenty minutes instead of two hours, that’s not a discount. It’s the point.

The billable hour asks the wrong question. “How long did this take?”

I’d rather answer a different one: “Did we solve the right problem?”

Those aren’t the same thing.

I’d rather my clients wonder whether they need to call.

Never whether they can afford to.