• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bill4Time

Bill4Time

Legal Time Billing Software

  • Call Us: 877-245-5484
  • Features
  • Support
  • Sign-In
  • Get Started

Taylor Dahlem

Strategies to Manage Lawyer Burnout

July 22, 2024 By Taylor Dahlem Leave a Comment

The best way to manage lawyer burnout is to identify it early on, which is easier said than done. Lawyers are up against constant deadlines, long hours, and never-ending requests for time. In addition, law firms have constant burdens and strict requirements that create a high-stress environment.

According to ALM’s and Law.com’s latest research on lawyer burnout statistics, nearly 50% of legal professionals believe that substance abuse and mental health problems are at a crisis level in their industry. 71% of lawyers experience some form of anxiety, and 38% admitted to suffering from depression. Many also admitted to feeling exhausted (70%), having trouble concentrating (62%), and being moody and irritable (60%).

These statistics underscore a pervasive issue within the legal profession. While many lawyers struggle with mental health and burnout, there are actionable strategies to manage stress. Law firms can also implement measures to alleviate burnout and foster a healthier, more supportive work environment.

Warning Signs of Lawyer Burnout

Burnout can take different forms, but it has a few common red flags regardless of industry.

Constant Exhaustion

Everyone feels fatigued, overwhelmed, or exhausted at times, whether it’s from a particularly stressful day or a poor night’s sleep. Lawyers who feel exhausted all the time, no matter their sleep patterns or day-to-day stress, may be experiencing burnout.

Increased Irritability or Cynicism

Lawyers’ work is stressful and certain coworkers or clients may inspire conflict at times. But if a lawyer is consistently irritable or impatient with the law firm’s staff or clients, it could be burnout.

The same is true of cynicism. While lawyers may be more naturally cynical and critical as high-performers, excessive cynicism, especially in a lawyer who is usually more even-tempered and optimistic, could indicate a potential for burnout.

Loss of Focus

Balancing a lot of tasks and managing time effectively requires focus. If a lawyer experiences a loss of focus or motivation, it can be a serious indicator of burnout. Left unmanaged, this loss of focus can affect work.

Self-Medication

As indicated by the results of the cited research, lawyers are experiencing mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug abuse. Some lawyers may take to self-medicating for these conditions, whether with alcohol and drugs or with food, developing physical health problems. Self-medicating to address burnout is of particular concern because of its potential for serious health concerns.

Poor Sleep Patterns

Changes in sleep patterns can be telling. Lawyers experiencing burnout could suffer sleep disturbances, whether in difficulty falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep. This can make burnout worse since the lawyer isn’t getting the necessary physical and mental rest needed to handle their stress.

Strategies to Manage Lawyer Burnout

1. Planning

Lawyers are always facing demands, and some of them conflict. Court appearances, casework, and research, client meetings, staff meetings, conference calls, preparing for opposing counsel, responding to emails and text messages, and other tasks all beg for time throughout the day.

Balancing all of these tasks requires precise planning and more than just putting meetings in a calendar. Lawyers should plan out days, weeks, months, and quarters to get a comprehensive view of the track for the future and ensure that all necessary tasks are moving forward. The feeling of being overwhelmed often arises from not meeting expectations.

2. Blocking Out Time

With a big-picture plan for the future, lawyers can focus more on immediate planning for the upcoming days and weeks. Managing all these tasks requires swift mental pivots that can make them more challenging, and a lack of being in the right mindset can cost valuable time as lawyers try to refocus on the new task at hand.

Ideally, the day should be mapped out with time blocks for different tasks. Administrative tasks or tasks that require lower focus and tasks that require deep focus on a lot of mental stamina can be grouped together to prevent constant shifts in focus throughout the day.

Lawyers can start this planning before the week starts to make sure everything gets done and idle time is filled between meetings. Daily schedules can be adjusted as needed, but having a clear plan at the beginning of the week helps lawyers focus and prioritize.

3. Optimize Processes

Planning and time-blocking boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, but you can further enhance these by optimizing work processes.

An organized system that streamlines communications, lead generation, intake, and other processes can significantly reduce administrative burdens for lawyers. By using practice management solutions like Bill4Time, lawyers can do all this and more. Bill4Time automates routine tasks and integrates with existing systems, like email platforms, creating a seamless workflow that improves overall efficiency.

4. Establish Boundaries

Expectations and demands can derail the best of planning. Lawyers need to set and enforce boundaries to keep performing at a high level and ensure they’re setting themselves up for success. Client requests, court appearances, hearings, meetings, and never-ending deadlines can take a toll quickly, especially if they pop up in the middle of a lawyer’s already packed schedule.

Lawyers have to set clear boundaries, with both their clients and themselves, to avoid taking on too much and piling on the stress. With manageable workloads, lawyers can ensure they’re doing their best work.

One of the best ways to accomplish this and get in the habit is with new client onboarding. Clients expect responsiveness, but the first meetings can establish expectations for communications. For example, a lawyer can let their new client know that they may not get back to them within minutes of sending an email, but they can expect a response on the same day. This is another benefit of having time blocks for client responses since it sets up time periods in which clients can expect communication.

It’s also vital that lawyers set up boundaries for themselves. Lawyers should avoid taking too much work home with them, or if they do, they need clear cut-off points for when work stops and personal time begins. Of course, there will be times when lawyers need to spend more time working on briefs or preparing for court appearances, but that shouldn’t be happening every week. When most of the time is balanced, pulling a few more hours won’t be as detrimental.

5. Seek Help When Needed

Despite the best strategies, the pressures of the legal profession can become overwhelming. It’s essential to recognize when to seek help. Reaching out to colleagues, mentors, or professional counselors can provide support and perspective. If stress becomes too much to handle, lawyers can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate help. This confidential service offers support for those experiencing a mental health crisis, providing a lifeline in times of need.

While the legal profession won’t slow down, taking these measures can help lawyers thrive and sustain a healthy work-life balance.

Filed Under: Blog

When to Hire a Legal Marketing Consultant for Your Firm

April 23, 2024 By Taylor Dahlem Leave a Comment

Marketing your law firm is a critical part of running a successful business. The legal marketing sector is highly saturated, competitive, and constantly changing. So it can be difficult for law firms to keep up with the latest market trends and employ effective marketing strategies to stay competitive.

A legal marketing consultant can provide your firm with the guidance you need to create and implement an effective marketing strategy to enhance your online visibility, grow your leads, and increase your marketing return on investment.

The Importance of Legal Marketing to Stay Competitive 

You need to find a way to differentiate your firm from your competitors because, right now, potential clients have many options. Legal marketing must be strategic, targeted, and tailored to the firm’s target clients’ needs. With the right legal marketing strategy, firms can build a strong reputation, generate new business, and position themselves as leaders in their field. 

What Is Legal Marketing? 

Legal marketing aims to educate and empower the public about legal issues and promote legal services. Legal marketing is a broad term that encompasses various activities, including social media, advertising, content marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). 

Law firms will run Pay Per Click (PPC) campaigns, advertise on social media, or promote their business listing on directories like FindLaw or Avvo. They may focus on improving their website’s SEO to attract more leads from online searches. Firms can use social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn to share news and updates about their practice and engage with their followers.

There are many different marketing channels that firms can use to promote their legal services, but the most common channels include the following:

  • Social Media: Connect with potential and existing clients, and build your network. 
  • Advertising: Reach a large number of people quickly through paid advertising online. 
  • Content Marketing: Attract new clients, build awareness, and showcase your thought leadership via blog posts, articles, and eBooks. 
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Local SEO is a process that helps firms rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
  • Email Marketing: Nurture potential and old clients by emailing helpful information. 

Why Is Marketing Your Law Firm Important? 

In today’s increasingly competitive legal marketplace, having a well-planned marketing strategy is essential for law firms of all sizes. By creating a solid brand and raising visibility, legal marketing can help firms to attract new clients and build name recognition. Legal marketing can also support overall profitability by generating leads and assisting firms in maximizing their investment return. In short, legal marketing plays a vital role in the success of any law firm.

What Is a Legal Marketing Consultant? 

A marketing consultant helps law firms develop and implement marketing strategies. This can involve developing law firm marketing efforts to create branding materials. In addition, these consultants often have a deep understanding of the legal industry and can provide valuable insights into how to appeal to potential clients. As a result, they can play an essential role in helping law firms grow their business.

How a Marketing Consultant Can Support Your Law Firm 

A legal marketing consultant can be a valuable asset to any law firm by providing marketing support without adding additional staff and attracting new clients by increasing visibility for the firm. As a result, a marketer can play an essential role in supporting and improving the operation of a law firm.

From your law firm’s website design and management, and search engine optimization, to social media marketing — a legal marketing consultant can support your firm in building a reputable brand. By outsourcing some of the non-legal work, a law firm can focus on its core competencies and improve its overall productivity. 

Legal marketing consultants can work with you to identify your target market, assess your competition, and develop a plan to reach and engage your target audience. They can also guide branding, website development, social media, and other marketing initiatives. In addition, the consultant can help you track and measure your marketing efforts to ensure that they are effective and produce positive results.

Does My Law Firm Need a Marketing Consultant? 

If you’re not actively working on your firm’s marketing efforts and tracking the progress, then you may need a legal marketing consultant to set your firm on the right track. Marketing is wasted spend if you don’t track your marketing efforts. 

One key indicator you need to bring in a marketing expert is if your firm has experienced a decline in new client intakes. If your firm struggles to generate new leads, you must quickly identify the root cause of your decline in new clients and devise a plan to turn things around. 

Another sign that your firm may need help is if you’ve noticed a lack of online visibility. Maybe your website isn’t driving as many leads, or your advertising campaign doesn’t seem to be working. A marketing advisor can audit the law firm’s website and identify areas where it can be improved. They will also be able to develop an effective digital marketing strategy to help increase your online visibility. 

How to Tell When You Need a Marketing Consultant

Law firms face a unique set of challenges when it comes to marketing. They must be able to differentiate their law firm brand from competitors and reach prospective clients while adhering to strict ethical guidelines. 

Consider your current marketing efforts. If you are not seeing results or meeting your growth goal, it may be time to bring in some outside help. How saturated is your local market? If they are actively marketing their services and winning new business, you’ll likely need to do the same to stay competitive. Working with a marketing advisor can be an excellent way to take your law firm to the next level without hiring more staff or stretching bandwidth. You can keep your costs down while gaining more business. 

Person working on laptop

How to Hire a Marketing Consultant 

By reviewing past marketing data, creating a needs assessment, and carefully selecting a marketing consultant, law firms can set themselves up for success. With the right consultant in place, firms can see a significant return on their investment.

Review Past Marketing Spend and ROI

Before making decisions about your marketing budget, review your past marketing spend and ROI for trends and patterns. This will give you a good sense of what has worked well in the past and where you might need to make some adjustments. 

If you’re not analyzing your efforts against your business development goals, you won’t know if you’re on track to meet them. Adjustments may need to be made to ensure success. The analysis will reveal the most successful channels, allowing you to allocate spending more effectively in the future. Failing to analyze your campaign could mean wasting time and money on channels that aren’t producing results.

Bill4Time offers expense tracking and reporting functions to track your marketing spending across different channels easily. Use this data paired with conversion data to calculate your ROI on your marketing efforts.

Conducting a Needs Assessment

After reviewing the data, you should create a needs assessment to determine your law firm’s needs. A needs assessment is a systematic process for determining unmet needs and developing plans to address them. This assessment should consider the firm’s current marketing efforts, desired outcomes, and marketing budget. Needs assessments are vital for service providers, as they help ensure that resources are allocated to benefit those who need them the most.

Where Can I Find a Good Law Firm Marketing Consultant? 

Law firms should consider experience, creativity, and availability when vetting potential consultants. Finding someone who is a good fit for the firm’s culture and shares the same values is also important. Search for legal marketing consultants online, check with the legal marketing association, or ask colleagues for recommendations.

Once you have a few options, you can conduct free consultations with different agencies or consultants to see their recommendations, pricing, and how they partner with clients. 

Characteristics of an Excellent Legal Marketing Consultant

When searching for a legal marketing consultant, law firms should consider working with someone who is niched and specializes in legal services. This will ensure that the consultant understands the unique challenges and opportunities of marketing a law firm. 

The consultant should also be aware of the latest trends in legal marketing and be able to provide tailored advice to all of your practice areas. 

Law firms should avoid working with consultants who also work with their competitors. This could lead to conflicts of interest, and the consultant may not be able to provide unbiased advice. 

A flexible contract should be a key consideration, as it will allow you to adapt your marketing strategy as needed. This flexibility is crucial in the ever-changing world of digital marketing. A flexible contract will give you peace of mind knowing that you can make changes as your business evolves. 

One of the most important is the ability to use your website rather than a proprietary platform. Be wary of marketers who want you to migrate your website to a proprietary platform, and ask questions about what happens to your website when/if you cancel your contract. 

A good marketing consultant will deeply understand SEO and how to maximize your law firm’s website. They will be able to work with your website to create a unique online presence that will set you apart from your competitors. 

Increase your Marketing ROI with Bill4Time

To remain competitive, law firms must invest in legal marketing. By building a solid online presence and creating targeted marketing campaigns, firms can reach new clients and expand their reach. In addition, legal marketing can help to build brand awareness and establish a firm as an authority in its field. A legal marketing consultant can assist with creating a law firm marketing plan so your firm can stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow.

Bill4Time offers legal technology solutions like lead nurturing, client management, and expense tracking that helps you stay on top of your marketing ROI and make informed decisions about your marketing. See in action by starting a free trial.

Filed Under: Blog

Why Do Lawyers Track Their Time?

March 21, 2024 By Taylor Dahlem Leave a Comment

Time tracking for lawyers translates hard work into measurable outcomes. It supports the foundation of fair exchange between client investment and legal advocacy. This accountability strengthens the client-lawyer relationship with trust and transparency.

Many lawyers use legal time tracking software to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their timekeeping practices. Such software paves the way for better cash flow and clear invoices by ensuring clients understand the direct correlation between the services provided and the charges incurred. 

Continue reading to learn more about the critical role of timekeeping in the legal profession, along with billable hours best practices and real-world examples that can help you develop better billing methods.

Why Is Time Keeping Important in Law?

Accurate time tracking is arguably one of the most important aspects of a lawyer’s success. Lawyers must meticulously account for their time to bolster client trust, which is vital to a positive attorney-client relationship, as well as the likelihood of positive referrals and firm reputation. 

Transparent documentation of billable hours instills confidence and fosters a sense of accountability, showing your commitment to fair and justified billing practices.

Aside from client relationships, proper time tracking serves as a shield against potential legal repercussions. Inadequate documentation may expose lawyers to legal cases or actions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining comprehensive records. 

Courts and regulatory bodies scrutinize timekeeping practices, and any discrepancies can lead to misconduct allegations and other ramifications. Precise time tracking not only protects against these risks but underscores the ethical foundation of legal practice.

Why Is Time Keeping Important in Law

How Do You Write a Legal Billing Entry?

Details and clarity are both key to writing a transparent legal billing entry that (a) demonstrates the value of what you did for the client and (b) makes it easy for that client to pay you for your services. Additionally, keep in mind these tips:

1. Include Clear and Detailed Descriptions

Writing a legal billing entry with clear, detailed descriptions ensures clients understand the value of the services they’re paying for. This means avoiding vague terms and specifying the work’s exact nature, such as “Drafting client-specific contract clauses regarding IP rights” rather than a broad “Contract work.” This specificity enhances transparency and reinforces the client’s confidence in your firm’s thoroughness and dedication to their case.

Additionally, correctly implementing standard law firm billing increments plays a crucial role here. By aligning detailed descriptions with precise billing increments, you provide a granular view of how time is allocated to different tasks

2. Have a Task Breakdown and Time Allocation

Avoid block billing at all costs. For example, instead of “Developed case strategy (2 hours),” break this down into what you did for those two hours, like “Completed case research surrounding grandparents rights in custody cases (1.2 hours); prepared research notes for meeting with clients (.1 hours); office meeting with clients to discuss the status of the case, relevant case law, upcoming motion hearing, and strategy for same (0.7 hours).” 

When breaking down your time, tools like a free billable hours calculator or a billable hours chart can come in handy. However, using a method like this with a law firm billable hours calculator doesn’t exactly promote accuracy in billing. Instead, law firm time tracking software ensures higher accuracy and less time spent with automated timers, calculations, invoice generation, and more.

3. Don’t Forget to Track Expenses and Disbursements

Detailing out-of-pocket expenses with clear explanations, such as “Court filing fees for case #12345 – $200,” helps clients understand all aspects of their bills. This level of detail assures clients that there are no hidden costs and that every charge has been incurred in the interest of their case.

4. Provide Real-Time Updates and Online Portals

Offering real-time updates and access to a client tracking portal where clients can view their billing and case progress at any time marks a significant leap towards transparency. This feature allows clients to monitor the developments in their cases and the corresponding billing entries as they happen. It eliminates surprises in billing and empowers clients with the information they need to feel secure and informed about the legal services they receive.

5. Establish Regular Communication and a Client Approval Routine

Maintaining regular communication and establishing a routine for client approval of billing entries before they’re finalized can significantly increase client satisfaction. This practice ensures that clients are always in the loop and agree with the billing details, providing an opportunity to address any questions or concerns promptly.

How Are Billable Hours Tracked? Best Practices for Attorneys

Billable hours are tracked through diligent documentation of legal work, where legal time tracking software plays a crucial role in offering accuracy and ease of use. This method is quickly becoming the gold standard in the legal field.

Such software offers features tailored to the needs of legal professionals. Their adoption reflects an acknowledgment of the need for meticulous record-keeping in a profession where time is often directly tied to revenue. In addition to using this software, attorneys can also implement these best practices to ensure optimal billable hours tracking:

  • Use Timers: Take advantage of software timers to record tasks in real-time, ensuring every minute is accounted for.
  • Detail Matters: Provide comprehensive descriptions of tasks. This process aids in billing and serves as a record for client inquiries and possible malpractice claims.
  • Regular Reviews: Set aside time weekly to review and adjust time entries. This habit prevents end-of-month rushes and potential errors.
  • Educate Your Team: Ensure everyone involved in billing understands the importance of accurate time tracking and knows how to use available tools effectively.
  • Use a Mobile App: A mobile billing app can be quite handy for on-the-go timekeeping and capturing every minute spent on client-related activities.
  • Leverage New Technology Features: Stay informed about updates to your tracking software and incorporate new features that can improve your practice.

Incorporating these practices into daily routines enhances the reliability of billing processes, fostering trust between attorneys and their clients. By harnessing the capabilities of modern software and adhering to disciplined record-keeping, legal professionals can focus more on delivering quality service rather than on administrative tasks. 

How Are Billable Hours Tracked?

What Are Examples of Non-billable Hours That Add Value to Your Practice?

Though you may think of billable hours as the main value driver for your practice, your non-billable hours matter just as much. Here’s how non-billable hours add value:

Client Development and Relationship Building

Investing non-billable hours in nurturing client relationships and attracting new clients is crucial for long-term success. While these efforts don’t translate into immediate revenue, they contribute to your referrals and practice growth by building a strong client base.

Pro Bono Work and Community Involvement

Engaging in pro bono work and community involvement — though not billable — is an important part of your firm’s social responsibility. These hours contribute to the well-being of society and enhance your firm’s reputation, thereby attracting clients who value your commitment to equitable legal services.

Professional Development

The time you dedicate to professional development, including continuing legal education, is an investment in your expertise, and by extension, your practice. Staying updated on industry trends and expanding your capabilities not only improves your legal practice but adds to your credibility in the industry.

Firm Administration and Management

Time spent on non-billable tasks such as firm administration and management strategies is an investment in long-term efficiency and profitability. Streamlining operations and planning for growth, even if not directly billable, contributes to the overall success and sustainability of your practice.

Advanced legal software can also be helpful in this area, as it allows you to track time and examine your firm’s analytics. For example, Bill4Time offers comprehensive law firm reporting capabilities, so you can drill down into the details that matter most to your practice.

Mentoring and Training

Non-billable hours spent mentoring junior associates or engaging in training sessions contribute to developing a stronger legal team within a firm. This investment in human capital enhances your firm’s capabilities and builds a positive reputation as a mentor.

Keep Better Records With Legal Time Tracking Software

In an environment where every minute counts, sticky notes and a billable hours calculator aren’t going to cut it anymore. Legal time tracking software now stands as a critical component for lawyers aiming to optimize their practice. 

Bill4Time emerges as a premium solution in this category, providing a full suite of features tailored for the legal profession. From tracking billable hours with precision to generating detailed invoices that clients can easily understand, Bill4Time addresses the unique challenges lawyers face daily. 

To experience firsthand how Bill4Time can help your practice grow, we invite you to try a free trial. This is your opportunity to see how seamlessly and effectively you can manage your billable hours, improve billing accuracy, and strengthen client relationships — all while supporting your practice’s growth and success.

Filed Under: Blog

Law Firm Credit Card Processing: 3 Common Objections

March 1, 2024 By Taylor Dahlem Leave a Comment

The ABA approved credit card processing for legal fees in 1974. However, law firm credit card processing has been slowly adopted. Only 62% of large and midsized firms use online payments consistently — even with well-established methods like ACH, eChecks, and credit card processing.

The Impact Credit Card Processing Has on Law Firms

The lack of online payments has a significant impact on lead generation, revenue, and profitability. A compelling value proposition or winning proposal won’t mean much if you can’t accept payment using the methods your clients want to use. If clients aren’t willing to spend money with your law firm, you obviously won’t receive the revenue you deserve, which means profits will continue to be sluggish.

According to a recent study by TSYS, 77% of consumers prefer card payments over cash, check, or wire transfer. Of that, 44% preferred using their debit cards, while 33% preferred using their credit cards.

Why Are Law Firms Slow To Accept Online Payments?

When it comes to online payments, many attorneys and law firms have hidden objections. These objections need to be addressed before attorneys feel comfortable accepting online payments. Let’s take a look at a few of these objections.

Objection #1: Credit card processing is too expensive.

According to Finextra, the cost of traditional billing, via paper invoices and snail mail, is around 9.5% of the amount collected on your invoice. Firms are so used to paying the expenses that come with conventional billing that they’re typically not aware of the amount they’re losing unnecessarily.

For example, if your invoice is $4,520.00, are you okay with giving away $429.40? If you send 25 invoices out to clients each month, that’s $10,735 or $128,820 annually that’s lost unnecessarily. 

Direct costs involved in paper-based billing include:

  • Invoice and file preparation
  • Envelopes
  • Offering basic or alternative fee arrangements (debit, credit, retainer, fixed fee, etc.)
  • Paper invoices/bills
  • Printing (e.g., ink, toner, networking, security, maintenance)
  • Postage/franking

Indirect costs are either fixed or costs that can’t be directly attributed to billing costs. Indirect costs include:

  • Accounting and reconciliation requirements
  • Bill query management and response times
  • Customer service workforce to address calls
  • Dealing with lost invoices
  • Locating and submitting undistributed bills
  • Bill storage costs (space rental and fixed costs)

Hidden costs are the expenses no one is looking for or controlling; these costs include:

  • Hidden or unexpected payment transaction fees (e.g., annual, PCI, statement, batch, or termination fees)
  • Timekeeping, billing, invoicing, and payment processing errors
  • Increased float/overdraft protection requirements
  • Longer sales cycles and the loss of potential cash-flow acceleration
  • Lost/higher cost digital marketing opportunities
  • Loss of “green” benefits/credits

It’s important to choose a payment processor that saves you money. Bill4Time Payments, for example, offers industry-low fees with a 2.9% fee for all cards, zero hidden fees and chargeback assistance.

Objection #2: Online payments will be complicated.

If you’re setting online payments up for the first time, you’ll need to go through a certain amount of transitional pain to get things up and running. However, two reasons explain why this objection doesn’t bear much weight.

  1. The work is front-loaded. Once things are set up, the effort that’s required to maintain your online payment solution is managed by your provider. You provide them with the information needed to get started, but once you’re set, it’s mostly automated.
  2. Integrated payment processing. Most of the set up is done for you with practice management solutions like Bill4Time. You’re able to simply monitor the flow of cash into your accounts as clients self-manage and provide you with the payments you need.

Objections #3: I can’t maintain IOLTA compliance if I accept credit cards.

According to ABA Rule 1.15, you’ll need to ensure you deposit client funds in the appropriate trust account. How do you accomplish that with credit cards?

“(a) A lawyer shall hold property of clients or third persons that is in a lawyer’s possession in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer’s own property. Funds shall be kept in a separate account maintained in the state where the lawyer’s office is situated, or elsewhere with the consent of the client or third person. Other property shall be identified as such and appropriately safeguarded. Complete records of such account funds and other property shall be kept by the lawyer and shall be preserved for a period of [five years] after termination of the representation.”

To address this, legal practice management software like Bill4Time offers a solution that streamlines online payments while ensuring compliance with IOLTA guidelines. By integrating credit card processing directly within the software, it eliminates the need for third-party processors and ensures that client funds are directly deposited into the correct trust accounts, maintaining clear separation from the lawyer’s own funds.

This simplifies the payment process and provides peace of mind that compliance with IOLTA regulations is maintained. Discover how this all-in-one payment solution can support your firm by watching the video below.

Outlook on Law Firm Credit Card Processing

The legal industry has been slow to adopt online payments, lagging behind other industries, niches, and service providers. At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a serious issue for law firms until you realize that not using online payments is a source of revenue leakage.

Utilizing a built-in payment processor like, Bill4Time Payments, is a great way for businesses to offer ePayments that are compliant and allow them to collect more on the dollar. Bill4Time Payments is ready in Bill4Time user accounts and easy to activate. Streamlining your payments and getting paid faster has never been easier!

Try Bill4Time for FREE

Get Started Today

Filed Under: Blog

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2

Primary Sidebar

The best way to manage your practice online.

Topics

Recent Posts

  • What Is Attorney Time and Billing Software?
  • How Much Does Legal Billing Software Cost?
  • What Is the Best Attorney Time and Billing Software?
  • How Do Lawyers and Paralegals Keep Track of Their Time?
  • What Is the Best Time Tracking Software for Lawyers?

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Sample Updated On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Home
  • Get Started
  • Vulnerability Reporting Policy