Client-Centered Billing in an AI-Powered World

Why Attend?

• Learn how generative AI (GAI) challenges traditional hourly billing structures.
• Improve profitability, productivity, and client satisfaction by aligning fees with value delivered rather than hours worked.

The Client-Centered Billing™ program educates attorneys on ethics issues related to fee setting in the emerging world of generative AI tools. Attorneys will learn how to ethically set flat fees considering the VSB’s LEO 1901 and effective methods of value-based billing focused on client outcomes, transparency, and collaboration.

Topics will:

• Explain the history, advantages, and drawbacks of hourly billing

• Clarify ethical requirements under VSB Rule 1.5 and VSB Legal Ethics Opinion 1901

• Compare and contrast the ethics guidance from the VSB in LEO 1901 with that of the ABA in its Formal Opinion 512

• Provide practical tools for implementing value-based billing, including tips on drafting Scopes of Work (SoWs) and use of rubrics to guide subjective analysis

• Give guidance on material terms that should be included in every representation agreement

MCLE Credit Note: Content from this live-interactive seminar was presented previously at: VBA Annual Meeting 2024; VSB Advanced Business Law Conference 2024; VBA Annual Meeting 2025; VSB Diversity Conference 2025; and VSB Advanced Business Law Conference 2025. If you claimed MCLE credit for attending any of these prior presentations, you will not be able to claim MCLE credit again for attending the upcoming October 14 program.
Registration Deadlines:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE^®.

Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.

Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions and are attending the seminar in person, please email deanna.mcglothlin@vacle.org.

Inclement Weather Policy and Updates

MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.

Private recording of this program is prohibited.

Can’t Attend?

E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.

Course Schedule

• Q&A will be handled via chat room for Webcast attendees.
• Q&A will be handled via e-mail for telephone seminar attendees.

About the Speaker

Tricia Dunlap, Dunlap Law PLC / Richmond

Tricia Dunlap is a woman attorney who entered law school at age 40 after a successful career as a National Board Certified high school social studies teacher. She graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2011, and after several years at McGuireWoods, she founded Dunlap Law PLC in 2015. She has been recognized by her peers with multiple awards. Just to name a few, they include: Influential Women of Law; “Go To” Business Lawyer; and RVA BizSense Power Woman.