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BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP'S BILLING POLICIES Our century of experience has shown that the attorney-client relationship works best when there is mutual understanding about fees, expenses, billing and payment terms. Therefore, this statement is intended to explain our billing policies and procedures. Clients are encouraged to discuss with us any questions they have about these policies and procedures. Clients may direct specific questions about a bill to the attorney with whom the client works or to Judy Ismael of our Accounting Department. Any specific billing arrangements different from those set forth below will be confirmed in a separate written agreement between the client and the firm. Fees for Professional Services Unless a flat fee is set forth in our engagement letter with a client, our fees for the legal ��ork we will undertake will be based in substantial part on time spent by personnel in our office on that client's behal£ In special circumstances which will be discussed with the client and agreed upon in writing, fees will be based upon the novelty or difficulty of the matter, or the time or other special limitations imposed by the client. Hourly rates are set to reflect the skill and experience of the attorney or other legal personnel rendering services on the client's behal£ Time is accrued on an incremental basis for such matters as telephone calls (minimum .3 hour) and letters (minimum .5 hour), and on an actual basis for all other work. Our attorneys are currently billed at rates from $200 to $550 per hour, and our administrative assistants, research assistants, paralegals and law clerks are billed at rates from $110 to $225 per hour. These hourly rates are reviewed annually to accommodate rising firm costs and to reflect changes in attorney status as lawyers attain new levels of legal experience. Any increases resulting from such reviews will be instituted automatically and will apply to each affected client, after advance notice. Fees For Other Services, Costs and Expenses We will incur on your behalf various costs and expenses in performing legal services under this agreement. Miscellaneous expenses are covered by a standard administrative charge, currently set at 4% which compensates the cost of normal photocopying, long distance telephone calls, regular mail postage, telecopy charges and other expenses as to which individual itemization is impractical. Costs specific to your matter such as investigation and filing fees, process server fees, required costs of travel, out-of-town lodging and meals, courier and express delivery and mail services, deposition and court reporter fees, computerized legal research, major photocopying, conference calls and staff overtime, as needed, are itemized and will appear on your monthly stateinent as separate items. All costs and expenses are billed at our cost. In some instances, invoices for outside services will be sent directly to you for payment. You agree to pay the administrative charge and the costs itemized on your statements in addition to the hourly fees. We may need to advance costs and incur expenses on your behalf on an ongoing basis. These items are separate and apart from attorneys' fees and, as they are out-of-pocket charges, 099�9.00000\739� 174.1