Investigation of “Vague” Billing Practices by Law Firms to Client Amtrak

The National Law Journal reports this extensive story today (from Legal Times reporter Anna Palmer) on a DOT probe into legal bills fees and firm overhead charges, including billing practices of  6 of 10 law firms representing Amtrak from 2002-05. “While the investigation focused largely on Amtrak’s in-house legal team, outside counsel were not without fault,” the article states.  A DOT report finds that bills were vague and did not comply with Amtrak regulations, included overhead inappropriately, and may have exceeded government-client hourly rates.  According to the report, the law firms in question include Pillsbury Winthrop; DLA Piper; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. [Alan Childress]