When is bill not a bill?

This is easy, when the bill was sent out in error. From the law firm perspective this likely seems like a minor mistake; an agreement was made to do something at no charge for a good client, time on the activity is nonetheless maintained for record keeping purposes, but due to wires getting crossed at the end of the month a bill goes to the client when it shouldn't have.

Again, from the outside lawyer's standpoint, a seemingly minor error, as the client is instructed to ignore the bill and pretend it never received it. But, now, put yourself in the client's shoes and see things from their standpoint. The arrival of the bill apparently triggers a cascade of requirements, filings, recordings, etc., that can't be as simply ignored or disregarded as the outside lawyer might imagine. Call it bureaucracy , needless paperwork or what have you, to the client it's very real and has to be complied with. So at the end of the day, the minor almost insignificant mistake by the lawyer has caused the client, however unintentionally, a great deal of frustration and consternation.

So, is there a lesson here? I think so. Two really: 1) Always strive in every relationship and dispute to see things, or at least try to, from the other side's perspective; and 2) As my father preached over and over, always measure twice--if not 3 or 4 times--and cut once. Thanks Dad.