Law Office Manager

Billing & collections

The art of setting fees that suit prospective clients

There's an art to presenting fees to clients. It's not just a matter of quoting an amount. It's a matter of finding out what result the client wants to see and what value the client attaches to that result. It calls for a lot of fishing tempered by a lot of tact, says Brian Kennel of Performance Management Consulting, a law firm practice management consulting group in New … [Read more...] about The art of setting fees that suit prospective clients

The ethics of refusing business and parting company with a client

Attorney-client relationships can get mighty tenuous. And either side can be at fault. Here are three issues that cause great concern: Turning down a prospect, firing a client, and getting fired by a client. They are explained by Michael Downey, a partner with Armstrong Teasdale in St. Louis whose practice focuses on professional legal, risk management, and ethics issues. … [Read more...] about The ethics of refusing business and parting company with a client

Model Tool: New matter intake form

Why you need this form: Before accepting a new matter from an existing client, you should obtain as much information about the new case as possible. This process, known as "case screening," can help you avoid many potential problems. How this form helps you: The New Matter Intake Form will not only help you quickly identify whether or not the subject matter is within your area … [Read more...] about Model Tool: New matter intake form

Model Tool: New client intake form

Why you need this form: Before accepting a client, you should obtain as much information about both the client and the subject matter as possible. This process, known as "client screening" can help you avoid many potential problems. How this form helps you: The New Client Intake Form will not only help you quickly identify whether or not the subject matter is within your area … [Read more...] about Model Tool: New client intake form

Model Policy: Client billing

Why you need this policy: Attorneys have every right—and need—to be paid. But getting clients to pay their bills on time is a major challenge that forces you to confront a bewildering array of fee arrangements, billing of non-fee expenses, and ethical constraints stemming from the attorney-client relationship. How this policy helps you: The centerpiece of juggling all of these … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Client billing