Envision a process in which a partner who wants to take on an alternative fee matter inputs information — such as matter type, expected duration, and distribution of work — online. The information is routed to the finance department for modeling into an alternative fee proposal, then on to the finance committee for approval, and back to the lawyer without the need for a meeting, telephone call, or e-mail.
Or, how about a “dashboard” on every partner’s computer that provides daily budgetary updates on alternative fee matters with green, yellow, and red light indicators showing where the matter is relative to its budget?
