Honest Billing Commitment

Last Updated: June 2, 2026

We believe legal billing should be fair, transparent, and aligned with your business goals, not driven by unnecessary complexity or inefficiency. This commitment reflects how we approach every client engagement.

Our Approach to Billing

We did not always use billable hours. Dev Counsel originally operated on a flat-fee model. Over time, we found that while flat fees can provide predictability, they often do not accurately reflect the time and complexity involved in legal work. In many cases, they can lead to overpricing simple matters or underpricing complex ones, neither of which serves clients well.

We chose to return to a time-based model because we believe it is the most fair, flexible, and transparent way to bill for legal services when paired with the right safeguards.

Why We Use Hourly Billing

Fairness Across Matters. You pay for the time actually required, not a padded estimate or a one-size-fits-all fee.
Flexibility as Your Needs Evolve. Legal work is rarely static. Hourly billing allows us to adapt to changes without forcing rigid scopes or constant renegotiation.
Better Alignment With Your Goals. Our focus is on solving your problem efficiently, not fitting your needs into a predefined package.
Transparency and Accountability. Time-based billing, combined with clear tracking and communication, gives you visibility into what is being done and why.

Balanced by Our Honest Billing Commitment

We recognize that hourly billing can raise concerns about unpredictability. That is why we pair it with our Honest Billing Commitment, including:

Fair and Equitable Billing. We bill only for time that is reasonable and appropriate for the work performed. Our goal is to deliver efficient, practical legal support, not to maximize billable hours.

Aligned Incentives. We maintain a full and balanced workload and offer predictable pricing structures so that our recommendations are not influenced by a need to generate additional fees. Our focus is on solving your problems efficiently.

Transparent Time Tracking. All billable time is tracked and made available to you through the Client Connect Portal. You will have visibility into the work performed and the time associated with your requests.

Proactive Communication. If your legal needs are likely to require a meaningful amount of time in a given period, we will communicate with you so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Our Billing Standards

We apply the following principles to every matter:

No Billing for Idle Time. We do not bill for administrative delays, internal scheduling gaps, or time where no meaningful work is being performed.

Efficient Use of Time. We aim to complete work as efficiently as possible, including leveraging templates, prior work product, and technology where appropriate.

Right-Sized Work for the Task. We will use the appropriate level of effort for each task and avoid over-engineering solutions where a simpler approach is sufficient.

Appropriate Rate Application. Where different rates may apply, we will use reasonable judgment to apply the appropriate rate based on the nature and complexity of the work.

No Unnecessary Rush Fees. We will not apply rush or expedited fees unless timing requirements genuinely require prioritization over other client work.

Honest Billing Guarantee

If you believe any billed time is inaccurate or unreasonable, you may raise a concern within a reasonable period after receiving your invoice. We will review the request in good faith and, if appropriate, provide a credit or adjustment.

To request a review:

Submit your concern through the Client Connect Portal or by email
Identify the specific entry or charge in question
We will review and respond promptly