In most firms, prebills are reviewed only by the supervising partner or the associate handling the file. In the Three-Step Method, the associate becomes responsible for his or her hours. The prebill is first reviewed by the handling associate, then the supervising partner, and, finally, the managing partner. Select two or three random files of a few associates and partners each month. Compare the work product with the prebill.
Correspondence is the easiest area to check, and the most abused.
And watch for patterns developed by an attorney. Nothing will discredit your billing faster than to end up overbudget within the first six months of the file. Most insurance companies have billing guidelines that defense counsel must follow. Borrow from this concept. Do not list estimated times to complete certain tasks or task minimums.