Opinion ID: 1198866
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Vertecs Account

Text: Vertecs Corporation had been a client of Dann's since the late 1970s. In 1990, a lawsuit was brought against Vertecs as a result of work it had done on the Kingdome roof. Handling the case with Dann was a UDL associate named Philip Hickey. Hickey was actually the attorney actively managing the case, and Dann reviewed his WIPs. On WIPs that reflected hours that were billed in October, November, and December 1990, Dann substituted his initials for Hickey's. Accordingly, the billing statements sent to clients showed that Dann performed work that was done by Hickey. Notations in Dann's handwriting on the WIPs request that this initial-switching occur, with Hickey getting credit within the firm for hours worked. Dann admits this initial-switching, and explains that he had worked the number of hours that he billed, and that the activities that Hickey had performed for which Dann had taken credit were similar work. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 25. However, Dann admits that his hourly billing rate at this time was $175 and Hickey's was $140, although he denies that overbilling occurred as a result. Vertecs paid these bills in full.