Ever feel like your law firm’s billing system was cobbled together with chewing gum and crossed fingers? Sadly, legal billing mistakes are one of the leading ways law offices let profits slip away (and accidentally irritate clients). Here are the top errors you can’t afford to make—and what to do instead.
Mistake #1: Vague or Delayed Invoices
Sending clients one-liners like “Professional Services: $5,000” without detail raises eyebrows—and disputes. Worse, late invoices slow down payments.
Mistake #2: Missed Billable Hours
Failing to track minutes spent on calls, drafting, or research? You’re leaving money—and lots of it—on the table.
Mistake #3: Math Errors & Double Billing
Sloppy calculations can lead to overcharges (hello, angry clients!) or undercharges (goodbye, profits).
Mistake #4: Ignoring Retainer Accounting
Not balancing retainers correctly can land you with shortfalls (and angry letters from regulators).
Mistake #5: Poor Compliance Documentation
Billing errors don’t just lose revenue; they create compliance headaches that can trigger audits.
The Fix
- Use specialized law firm billing software.
- Enter time daily—not weekly.
- Reconcile retainers and clear up trust account discrepancies every month.
- Have a CPA or billing pro review your outgoing invoices occasionally.
Final Word
Billing shouldn’t be the weakest link in your law office. Get it right, and keep clients and partners happy (and your revenue steady). Need help? SkillBench helps law firms fix billing chaos—one error at a time.
