IT’S TIME TO DITCH THE BILLABLE HOUR IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING.
NCE Counsel is a specialized law firm dedicated to helping noncommercial broadcasters navigate complex FCC regulations. We deliver expert legal guidance through affordable membership plans, providing our members with cost certainty and peace of mind.
First, let’s be honest about something: tracking time in six-minute increments isn’t enjoyable for attorneys or the noncommercial broadcasters they serve. To be sure, the traditional billable hour model has always seemed counterproductive, especially when a station needs a quick answer about FCC compliance or requires a simple administrative filing. Sometimes, time is a good measure of value. But most firms behave as though time is the only measure of value. Indeed, when firms equate money with time, efficiencies seem like losses.
Under the traditional model, attorneys focus on billing maximum hours, often leading to unnecessary work and inflated costs. The emphasis becomes justifying billable hours rather than delivering value. Moreover, firms that aren’t motivated by efficiency have no incentive to develop more cost-effective solutions to their clients’ problems. This isn’t just inefficient – it’s fundamentally misaligned with the mission-driven nature of noncommercial broadcasting.
One of our fundamental duties as attorneys is to promote access to client-centered legal services. But when stations hesitate to reach out with questions because they’re watching the clock, it raises serious concerns about accessibility. This is particularly troubling in the noncommercial broadcasting sector, where stations operate on tight budgets but must still maintain rigorous compliance with FCC regulations. In this context, charging for every minute spent reviewing a public file or answering a routine question about EEO compliance feels like the opposite of efficient and helpful. There’s nothing client-centered about that. And it’s why we’ve developed tiered membership plans that aim to make the billable hour the exception, not the rule.
In our membership plans, instead of tracking every minute, we focus on being as efficient as possible to achieve the best outcomes for our members. While noncommercial broadcasters rely heavily on their legal advisors, traditional billing practices make it difficult to budget for expenses. With our fixed monthly rate, stations know exactly what their legal costs will be and can seek advice freely without watching the clock. Whether you need guidance on your public file, help with an EEO report, or assistance with an STA filing, you can reach out without hesitation.
Because we’re not constrained by billing requirements, we can concentrate on what matters: keeping your station compliant and addressing issues proactively. This predictability and freedom leads to better compliance outcomes – stations address potential issues early rather than waiting until small problems become big ones. Ultimately, our approach means our members don’t merely get what they pay for; they get more. More value. More access. More predictability. And just simply better service.
In our experience, when we focus on client outcomes rather than billable hours, everyone wins. You get predictable costs and comprehensive compliance support, while we build lasting relationships with stations that value our expertise.
Ready to align your legal services with your mission? Apply for membership today.