Stay updated with breaking news from Aaron Shechet. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
What started as a simple question ended with an unexpected legal bill. Experts discuss what happened and chime in with some free advice on a reader’s query about changing the mission statement of his charity.
Shouldn’t an attorney who holds himself out as working with tax-exempt organizations know the answer to that question already?
Getty Images Today’s story looks at billing practices that may violate ethical rules that apply to lawyers across the country. Before reading further, if you have hired an attorney recently or in the past few years and still have the paperwork, pull out the retainer agreement and accounting sheet. Look for this type of language under costs: “$50 scanning/storage of file fee; $75 file/cost maintenance fee; $75 long-distance telephone toll calls/faxes; $75 initial data entry.” If you have been charged for these things, especially for long-distance telephone calls, depending upon the sta...