Jim Schratz & Associates

Clear, defensible opinions for mediation, hearing, or trial.

Legal fee audits, expert testimony, and claims-handling analysis for high-exposure matters nationwide.

Straight answers. Disciplined methodology. Comfortable on the stand.

Bad Faith & Claims Handling

We evaluate claims handling conduct in context — investigation, documentation, communication, and litigation oversight — based on what the record shows.

Legal Fee Audits

Structured, contextual audits — invoices compared to work performed — with a free initial review and a clear not-to-exceed budget before you proceed.

Expert Witness Services

Courtroom-ready expert testimony built on record mastery. Clear methodology, disciplined opinions, and comfort under cross-examination.

Nationwide Coverage

Retained nationwide. We work with counsel across the United States and provide support built for deposition, mediation, and trial.

Publications

Practical writing on legal fees, billing, claims handling, and trial strategy — built for attorneys who need usable guidance, not theory.

Context—not sampling.

Jim Schratz brings more than 40 years of experience spanning legal fee audits and high-exposure insurance claims. He compares billing records, pleadings, transcripts, and case history to what actually happened, then delivers a disciplined opinion counsel can use in mediation, hearing, or trial.

Based in Sonoma, California; reviewing legal fee and claims matters nationwide.

Resources Built for Working Lawyers

We’re a boutique practice based in Sonoma, California, serving counsel nationwide. If you need a clear answer and a report you can use in court, start here:

Full-scale legal fee audits

Free initial file review

Not-to-exceed budgets

Claims handling standards analysis

Expert witness testimony

EXPLORE SERVICES

Record-Based Analysis

We anchor conclusions to the claims file, billing records, and litigation documents — not assumptions.

No-Nonsense Case Screening

We start with a free initial file review and tell you if a deeper engagement makes sense.

Courtroom-Ready Opinions

We build opinions for deposition and trial — clear methodology, clear support, and comfort under cross.

START WITH THE RECORD

Is This Case Worth Pursuing?

Send the core materials for a quick review. We’ll tell you what the record supports and what it doesn’t.

REQUEST CASE REVIEW

RECENT CASES

Success Stories

Florida Asset Financing Corp. v. Borton, Petrini & Conron

LEGAL FEE AUDIT

Jim Schratz on Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. United Dominion Realty

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LEGAL FEE AUDIT

Jim Schratz on Florida Asset Financing Corp. v. Borton, Petrini & Conron

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LEGAL FEE AUDIT

Adam v. Norton, Northern District of California

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PUBLICATIONS

Recent Publications

The Value of Trial Monitoring

Independent trial monitoring can clarify settlement posture, expose hidden risk, and help counsel make decisions under pressure—based on facts, not fear.

How to Win a Fee Petition

Whether you’re presenting a fee petition or opposing one, success depends on disciplined records, credible staffing choices, and billing that matches the work performed.

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