The punchlines of some “lawyers’ jokes” focus on attorneys’ perceived greed: overcharging clients, enjoying flashy lifestyles or abusing expense accounts. Although such a view may be dated in 1980s-era “Greed is Good” dynamics, there are many regulations and rules that govern attorneys’ use of and proximity to fees or other funds derived from an attorney-client relationship.

This installment of the series regarding the “Seven Deadly Sins of Lawyers” focuses on “greed” and the risks for attorneys who are imprecise or unscrupulous when it comes to billing clients. Notably, the practice of law is a business, and law firms and lawyers typically try to structure their fees to support their practice and reflect their skill. However, given the uniquely personal nature of the attorney-client relationship, there are still some considerations governing attorneys’ setting, collection, and processing of fees.