Question: I am an attorney,
and I took a call from a client this morning. I tried to bill this to ATTY07,
but that task code is no longer available in defenderData.
Where did ATTY07 go,
and why was it deleted?
Answer: After a week of
experience with the new codes, many have written regarding the overlap between COMM02 --
communicate with client -- and ATTY07 – conduct other case related communications.
In light this confusion, the Steering Group has asked defenderData to eliminate
ATTY07 as a task code.
All billing to ATTY07 for the
week of June 16 through June 22 has been re-designated as, “COMM02” –
communicate with client. (This June task code data, incidentally, will not be
used for anything related to the Work Measurement Study).
Unlike the old
defenderData codes, which had a number of client-communication options, the new
codes are designed to capture almost all client communications in COMM02. In
the future, we anticipate that almost all client communication will be billed to
COMM02. This will be more accurate data, easier to remember, and will avoid divided
billing with ATTY07.
Note that two other communication codes also remain available: COMM01, and COMM03.
To the extent that
the Study needs to identify time attorneys spend communicating with their
clients, this data can be determined by correlating the employee’s role codes
with the COMM02 task code. The same availability of correlated data applies to
the other two communication codes.
While COMM02 is the “go
to” task code for communicating with our clients, there are several other remaining task
codes that also contain client-communication subtasks. Those codes may, on
occasion, be appropriate, depending on the work at hand. They are summarized
below.
These additional task
codes, however, generally cover other tasks as well as client communication. One example is ATTY05, that covers initial appearances. The application of these other codes will usually be
self-evident. Most client communication, we anticipate, will be best described
by COMM02: client phone calls, client meetings, and jail visits all fall within
that code.
We appreciate that
the task codes and Work Center Descriptions are far from perfect, and suffer
from errors and overlap. The deletion of ATTY07 is one example, but certainly
not the only issue brought to our attention since June 16.
Please bear in mind
when working with these tools that the Work Measurement Study was advanced a full
year by the Administrative Office. Because of this accelerated schedule, this new
system -- originally intended to take eighteen months to design -- was
completed in less than six. In addition, many different members of our community
have weighed in with revisions to these documents. Some errors have naturally
crept in during this collaborative process. The mid-June
roll-out of defenderData was a very deliberate date, to give all of us an
opportunity to identify these bugs and correct them.
The Steering Group
appreciates your patience as we work through these task codes and WCDs together,
to provide for greater accuracy during the fall collection periods.
______________________________
Other Task Codes that
can involve client communication:
CJA01 3.1
ASSIGN CASE TO CJA PANEL
3.1.1 Communicate/assist client
with financial affidavit, questions, etc.
LA01 4.1 PERFORM GENERAL OFFICE DUTIES
4.1.1 Greet and direct clients
and visitors, advise necessary persons of visitor arrivals and purpose of visit
LA02 4.2 PROVIDE TRIAL / HABEAS / HABEAS APPEAL SUPPORT
4.2.1 Print ECF notices;
distribute to attorney; copies to client if applicable
COMM01 8.1
ARRANGE COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES
8.1.1 Correspond with client,
e.g., review and reply to letters, calls, obtain all necessary releases
FORN01 9.1 INTERPRET AND TRANSLATE
INVE13 10.13
ATTEND AND ASSIST AT COURT PROCEEDINGS – ATTORNEY SUPPORT
10.13.1 Confer with client and
family
ATTY02 12.2 REPRESENT CLIENT DURING
COOPERATION
ATTY05 12.5
APPEAR IN COURT FOR INITIAL COURT APPEARANCES AND DETENTION PROCEEDINGS
12.5.1 Complete Financial
Affidavit and Client Intake Sheet
ATTY19 12.19
PREPARE FOR SENTENCING HEARING
12.19.1 Review/correct final
judgment and attachments with client
APP07 13.7
DRAFT AND FILE PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI AND OTHER PLEADINGS IN UNITED
STATES SUPREME COURT
13.7.6 Review
decision and confer with client
APP08 13.8
PREPARE FOR RETROACTIVE RESENTENCING LITIGATION
13.8.1 Identify/contact eligible clients
13.8.1 Identify/contact eligible clients
.
