If your firm is going to be switching from one software to another one, the issue of downtime or loss of output often comes up. While there’s always a learning curve associated with anything new, that doesn’t mean your firm necessarily needs to take a loss because of it. Introducing new software often brings a lot of excitement to a … Read More
Can my law firm pass on charges for payment fees to my client?
Accepting credit cards is a benefit to both your clients and your cash flow, providing an easy way to quickly take payment for invoices without requiring available funds or a mailed check. However, accepting credit cards comes with a service charge, usually ranging from 2-5%. For lawyers who are trying to maximize their profits, the question arises of whether or … Read More
How do I use automation in my law firm?
Automation is a way of taking repetitive processes and using technology to complete them. Law firms are full of processes and in almost all of them, some form of automation can be applied. Benefits of automation for law firms include[1]: More time to handle billable tasks Ability to get paid faster Increased profits Reducing error Streamlining case management There are … Read More
What is my law firm’s tax liability?
Tax liability occurs because of a taxable event, which is frequently is fiscal year-end financial taxes. However, there are other scenarios in which law firms can incur tax liability, including royalty income, stock or asset sales or business mergers that cause profits. In legal terms, tax liability means the government has a client on assets, which are typically those in … Read More
What KPIs should my law firm be measuring?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide valuable data law firms can use to make strategic business decisions, evaluate trends and determine opportunities for growth[1]. There are many metrics law firms can track, but the following are the most critical. FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL These KPIs can give you insight into the firm’s financial health: Revenue billed by matter Fixed/contingency fee profitability ratios … Read More
What are the most common ethics violations for lawyers?
Ethics violations can result in sanctions and even being disbarred for lawyers, so it’s important to be aware of the most common ways lawyers wind up in trouble with their bar association. Conflicts of Interest Lawyers should run conflict checks for not just their current clients[1], but also look to check: Concurrent representation of clients with adverse interests Successive representation … Read More
How can my law firm avoid bad debt?
Bad debt can take up a significant portion of a firm’s income. While it can be challenging to avoid bad debt entirely, law firms can minimize its likelihood by doing the following: Be upfront with pricing Make sure from the start that your client is aware of what the payment amounts will be. If you have a flat-fee structure, lay … Read More
As a lawyer, what can I do if my client won’t pay their bills?
Collecting past due payments can be time-consuming for lawyers. There are various routes to take when a client simply won’t pay their bills, but the recommended course of action is to try to collect outside of court if possible[1]. To start, lawyers can write a payment demand or collection letter to the client outlining the original terms of the invoice, … Read More
Should my firm use accrual or cash basis accounting?
There are two methods law firms can run their accounting by: accrual basis or cash basis. The primary difference between the two is the point at which revenue is realized. In cash basis accounting, revenue is recognized once the payment is received. In accrual basis accounting, revenue is realized when the sale is made even if the payment isn’t complete. … Read More
How should I set my hourly rate as a lawyer?
Setting your rates is a combination of multiple factors including: Geography Experience Firm size Specialization/type of case Reputation Look at what others in your area are charging, and assess the type of setting you’re in. Rates in large cities will be larger than those in suburban or rural areas. See what others nearby are charging to get an idea of … Read More