Information Connection

• Citation: Vol. 38 No. 3 Pg. 62
• Publication year: 2015
• Pages: 62
• Year: 2015
• topic: Business of Law,Contracts,Civil Procedure

Information Connection Vol. 38 No. 3 Pg. 62 Wyoming Bar Journal June, 2015

Amy Pearce Public Services Librarian George W. Hopper Law Library, J.

Getting Paid

While every attorney would agree that getting paid by clients is vital for business, it is even more vital for the small firm or solo practitioner. In a larger firm, the lack of payment of fees can be better absorbed due to volume and often the size of the client, whereas in a smaller or solo practice the client’s failure to pay reflects a greater percentage of the firm's income and usually creates more immediate impact. Lack of fee payments is reflected in take-home pay. So how can you get clients to pay you? I have read through several articles on this topic and will share some of the best advice I have found with you. I list the articles referenced at the end.

Let’s start with the reasons why clients don’t pay. One of the most obvious reasons is that some of your clients are experiencing situations where money is already tight (e.g., divorce) and paying you is not a priority. Edward Poll, in his article “How to Succeed in Collecting Your Fees,” states several more reasons why clients do not pay law firms. The problem is sometimes with the law firm, not necessarily the client. First, law firms take on risky clients because they do not want to turn down business. Second, the firm has no written collections policy, so...