Starting a new career is a scary yet exciting part of life, which comes with some great experiences and a whole lot of learning. When it comes to new lawyers, they have a fair share of things they are completely inexperienced about, and one of these happens to be law firm billing.
For many beginners, law firm billing can be tough, but they still want to ensure that they are billing ethically and correctly. Some new lawyers end up spending a good chunk of their time on billing, but it is supposed to be a rather simple and easy task. So, if you are a new lawyer or getting ready to launch your career in the field of law and legality, then keep on reading because this article will provide you with the best tips for billing as a new lawyer.
1. Knowing The Law Firm’s Billing Process
You cannot start something when you don’t even know how the process works! So, your law firm should have a well-established controlled document that consists of a billing policy that will aid you in the process of creating a bill. These processes vary from one law firm to another. So, wherever you go, you’d need to familiarise yourself with the policies that the firm has set in place.
2. Get It On Paper
Being a lawyer, you may already know the importance of written evidence. It’s crucial, and there’s no denying it! Similarly, when it comes to billing, you have to also get some evidence for it. For legal billing, you need to create a representation agreement that serves the purpose of being a legal contract that states the client-attorney relationship. In this binding contract, you can list your fee, your mentor or supporting lawyers who may help you in the case, and the period you’ll be working for.
3. Take Note Of The Time
Your time is essential, so you can’t be putting in extra hours on a particular client. A lawyer needs to keep track of time since it helps you stay committed, and your records are bound to be accurate. With the help of a billing program, a legal pad, or even your smartphone, you can keep track of the hours you put in.
Another way you can track the time is by listing down tasks and setting an estimated time for yourself to finish those tasks. So, by the end of the day, you have a complete breakdown of how you spent your time and the progress on your tasks.
These tips are so simple and easy yet so effective! You can try them for yourself or share them with a lawyer friend.