Los Angeles > Topics > Billing and Mail...

First, copy your client on every scintilla of correspondence and e-mail.  Second, never take a case or begin work without an executed engagement letter and an up front "retainer" which will either be returned to the client at the conclusion of the matter or appied to thier final bill.  This amount should be enough to cover the first two months of work you will have to do.  Then bill the client monthly for your time, payable by them within 30 days of their receipt of the bill.  If a client's account gets over 60 days wihtout payment, advise them (within the limits of the RPCs) that you will stop work/move to be dismissed as counsel until they get current. 

Anyone who balks at the up front "security deposit" retainer or paying you on a regular basis is someone you don't want for a client, no matter how wealthy they appear to be or how much busienss they tell you they will be giving you.  There is no differnece whatsoever betweeen a broke client going under and a rich client who refuses to pay.  

Never apologize for asking anyone to pay your bill.  Your time is the only commodity you have to sell. Being an atty and having a duty to your client does not mean you have to let them treat you like a bank or walk all over you when it comes to paying the bill  You are running a business, not a charity.

If you religously stick to these tenets, you will find cash flow manages itself, and clients will not have any issues with your billings (i.e., cut your bill) when you copy them on every thing you do for their case- provided the narrative in your bill is done properly- which is an art unto itself.  By showing them the work you are doing, they have an easier time paying for it.  Good luck.

09-18-2009 10:36 AM