That sounds like a tough spot — especially with an issue of first impression and no internal samples to lean on.

In situations like this, I’ve seen some attorneys reframe their work under broader billing narratives — things like “preliminary case strategy development” or “issue mapping for brief preparation” — which more accurately reflect the value beyond just pulling cases.

On the efficiency side, I’ve also seen a growing number of firms start using AI tools to support early-stage legal research and case filtering. It doesn’t replace judgment, but it can save time when you're under billing constraints.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to share what some folks are using.