Markel (3500, 6300, 6380) – Legal eXchange – quarterly or $10K (unless pre-approval has been provided by CVM for more frequent billing) - entries over 180 days considered stale
- Staffing of the claim, including staffing changes should be agreed to in writing, including the names and timekeeper titles of those individuals
- Within one (1) business day, the firm should send an acknowledgement letter identifying the legal team assigned (lead attorney, associate(s) and paralegal(s)) to the matter
- Billing in excess of eight (8) hours per day across all Markel matters will not be allowed except during trial or mediation, or if prior written approval has been granted.
- Budget must be submitted to Legal eXchange no more than thirty (30) after the matter is set up in Legal eXchange
- Final billing should be submitted within thirty (30) days after final resolution of matter
- Counsel will be reimbursed for the preparation and submission of all Budgets on the case, up to a total of two (2) hours for the life of the case assignment.
- Budget should be submitted in LeX, no more than thirty (30) days after the matter is set up in LeX.
- Vendor bills over $500 must be preapproved and submitted via LeX
- Non-travel expenses over $500 may be submitted as an individual “expense only” invoice, though the e-billing system and outside the quarterly billing process
- The firm does not have to pay the invoice prior to submitting the invoice
- Computerized legal research is considered overheard and nonbillable
Pre-approval needed:
- To initiate depositions for individuals not already preapproved in the initial Litigation Plan
- Where it is anticipated that more than one timekeeper’s attendance is necessary at trial, court appearances, mediations, arbitrations, meetings, depositions, witness interviews, inspections, and other functions.
- For legal research in excess of three hours (five hours for appellate matters) per topic required
- To avoid reductions, the firm should either attach documentation of all written pre-approvals to submitted invoices or indicate in the applicable line item description the name of approver, the date of approval, and the method of approval
Travel:
- All travel expenses must be pre-approved by the Claim Professional.
- Travel time will be reimbursed at half (50%) of counsel’s agreed rate.
- Air travel to be booked 14 days in advance (domestic) and 30 days in advance (international) whenever possible
- Only coach tickets should be purchased for air travel; counsel may select a non-stop flight, however, it is encouraged to select connecting flights if reduced fares are achieved and their schedule permits
- Upgraded seating or boarding will not be reimbursed
- Counsel is expected to drive or take the train rather than fly to any destination that is within a three-hour drive, unless the cost of airfare (including ground transportation cost to get to and from the airport and parking) is not more expensive than the cost of driving (including mileage reimbursement and parking) or taking the train, then you may fly.
- Business class is permitted without pre-approval for rail travel over two hours
- Markel will reimburse meals while traveling at a combined daily rate of up to $75 per day, per individual.
- Alcoholic beverages will not be reimbursed
- Markel will reimburse reasonable charges for parking and tolls
- Mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS Standard Mileage Rate
- Markel will reimburse costs only for non-luxury car rentals and moderately priced accommodations
- All travel expenses of $25 or more must be supported with receipts attached
- Credit card bills and check requests are not acceptable
