Free Lawyer Invoice Template & Generator
Generate professional legal invoices for consultations, contract drafting, litigation, and retainer billing. Itemize by task and time entry.
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What should a lawyer put on an invoice?
Legal invoices set out the work done, the time spent, and the rate, often with dated entries describing each task. Show retainer drawdowns, court or filing fees, and disbursements separately. Clear, itemised time records help the client understand the bill and meet the billing standards many jurisdictions expect.
Your invoices need to show exactly what you did and when you did it. Break down your time entries by date with specific descriptions like "drafted motion to dismiss" or "client conference re: settlement terms" instead of vague phrases like "legal services." Include your hourly rate, total hours, and any costs you advanced like filing fees or expert witness payments. Clients and their finance departments will reject invoices that just say "legal work" with a number at the bottom.
Most lawyers use a monthly billing cycle with payment due within 30 days. You should collect a retainer upfront that covers at least the first month of estimated work. Bill against that retainer each month and replenish it when it gets low. Some practices do flat fees for routine matters like incorporations or simple wills, but hourly billing remains standard for litigation and complex transactions.
Send your invoices on the same day each month, preferably the first or second. Clients with accounts payable departments run check batches on schedules, and inconsistent billing dates mean you miss their cycles. Also, write off your own administrative time before sending the bill. Clients hate seeing charges for "revised invoice" or "billing review" and it makes collections harder.
Typical line items
- Legal services (hourly, by fee earner)
- Fixed-fee matter or document
- Retainer or advance drawdown
- Court, filing, and registration fees
- Disbursements and expenses
- Consultation or advice session
- Drafting and document review
- Travel and waiting time
How the work is charged
Lawyers commonly bill by the hour against recorded time, set a fixed fee for defined matters such as a will or a contract, or work from a retainer drawn down as the matter proceeds. Court fees and disbursements are added on top.
Payment terms and deposits
Many firms take a retainer upfront and bill against it, sending statements as work is done. Clients usually pay on net terms, and disbursements are billed as incurred.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Tax handling of legal fees and disbursements varies by jurisdiction, so confirm what applies to your practice.
Frequently asked questions
How should lawyers structure their invoices?
Use detailed time entries showing date, task description, time spent (in 6-minute increments), and rate. Separate attorney time from paralegal time. List disbursements (filing fees, copies) separately.
What are typical lawyer hourly rates?
Rates vary enormously by specialization and location: $200–$500/hour for general practice, $300–$800+ for corporate/IP/litigation. Paralegals bill at $100–$200/hour.
Should lawyers charge for phone calls and emails?
Yes. All professional time spent on a client matter is billable, including calls, emails, and research. Use minimum billing increments (typically 0.1 hour / 6 minutes) and describe each entry.
Related invoice templates
Read the complete invoicing guide to see how to fill out, number, and send an invoice that gets paid.
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