Billable hours for DEI work? Yes, please
Many firms already credit pro bono hours toward their attorneys’ billable hours. But what about the time attorneys devote to bar association activities and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives? (Image from Shutterstock)
Many firms already credit pro bono hours toward their attorneys’ billable hours. But what about the time attorneys devote to bar association activities and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?
On Monday, the ABA House of Delegates voted in favor of a resolution asking law firms to consider crediting that time toward billable hours.
While there were audible “no” votes, Resolution 520 passed in a majority vote. It aims to convince law firms to provide billable hours for DEI initiatives—and if widely adopted by law firms, more attorneys will be able to participate in them, the report accompanying the resolution says. The resolution was sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division.
“Some law firms have already taken the lead and are providing billable hour credit for DEI activities,” says Brandon Wolff, a Young Lawyers Division delegate from New Jersey. “While not all law firms will be in a position to offer unlimited billable hours, all firms should offer some hours of billable credit.”
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This resolution comes decades after the ABA adopted a resolution in 1988 encouraging law firms and corporate employers to provide at least 50 hours of billable hour credit for pro bono activities.
The same should be done for the diversity initiatives, Wolff says.
Rene Morency, a Young Lawyers Division Delegate from Missouri, says legal employers will greatly benefit by offering these billable hours. In lieu of earning money from their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Morency says he and many of his colleagues have made the difficult choice to participate in these professional opportunities on their own time, even forgoing vacations.
But Morency says he has recognized the importance of this work, which improves morale and helps with networking.
Other Young Lawyers Division-sponsored resolutions regarding attorney vacations and flexible work arrangements were withdrawn and are expected to be presented at a future date.
