How to Draft Bills Clients Rush to Pay

Now updated to reflect the development and impact of new technologies, this step-by-step guide will help you draft and format easy-to-understand invoices for your law firm's client. It is written by veteran attorneys who have each been a partner in smaller “Main Street” law practices, and who have had the opportunity to use all the tips in this book. Their advice centers upon drafting bills that clients will understand, find justified, and hence be more likely to pay promptly than the typical lawyer's bill.

Beginning with the need to focus upon the initial activities that develop the attorney-client relationship and set the stage for successful billing, the authors consider other relevant issues for billing, including billing technology options, using timekeeping technology, and establishing a fee structure with the client. Samples are provided throughout the book and in the appendices, which you can use as the basis for redesigning your firm's bills.

Mark A. Robertson is a partner in the law firm of Robertson & Williams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he represents businesses and the families that own them. He is a past chair of the ABA Law Practice Division, currently represents the division in the House of Delegates of the ABA, and is a Fellow of The College of Law Practice Management.

J. Harris Morgan was a giant of law practice management, having lectured and led Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars throughout the country. He was honored with the Harrison Tweed award for his CLE work by the ABA Practicing Law Institute Consortium on CLE. He lived in Greenville, Texas.