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Collecting Your Fee, Getting Paid, From Intake to Invoice

Table of Contents
Foreword
    Peter Zeughauser
Preface
About the Author

Chapter 1: Introduction
    1.01Improving the Relationship
    1.02Preventive Medicine
    1.03The History of Credit
    1.04Different Perspectives on Debt
    1.05You Are Not a Victim
    1.06Action Plan
Chapter 2: Introduction
    2.01From the Beginning
    2.02The Intake Interview
    2.03Extending Credit
    2.04Creating a Credit Application
    2.05The Lawyer as Sleuth
    2.06Creating a Credit Policy
  • Approve Clients
  • Determine Lines of Credit
  • Set Interest Rates
  •     2.07Action Plan
    Chapter 3: Acceptance of Representation
        3.01Fee Agreement
        3.02Engagement Letter
        3.03Withdrawing
        3.04Action Plan
    Chapter 4: Informing the Client
        4.01Increasing Contact
        4.02Informing the Client
        4.03Obtaining Consent
        4.04Action Plan
    Chapter 5: Budgeting
        5.01Reasons for Budgets
        5.02Creating a Budget
  • Know Your Case/Matter
  • Educate The Client
  •     5.03Agreement from Clients
  • Client's Right to Know
  • The Client Is an Integral Part of the Process
  • The Buyer Has Final Approval
  •     5.04Payment Concerns
  • Determine Client's Ability to Pay
  • Get Retainer in Advance
  •     5.01Action Plan
    Chapter 6: Pricing as a Two-Way Contract with the Client
        5.01Pricing Is a Two-Way Agreement
        5.02Responsibilities of the Lawyer
        5.03Responsibilities of the Client
        5.04Consequences
  • Account Aging Report
  • Firing the Client
  • Collection Efforts
  • Filing Suit
  •     5.05Action Plan
    Chapter 7: Billing
        7.01Keeping Records
        7.02Keeping Time
  • Management Tool
  • Justification of the Fee
  •     7.03Periodic Billing
  • Monthly Billing
  • More Frequent Billing
  • Positive-Result Billing
  •     7.04Billing Details
        7.05Impact on Collections
        7.06Marketing Opportunities
        7.07Action Plan
    Chapter 8: Technology
        8.01The Role of Technology in Accounts Receivable
        8.02Factors to Consider Before Updating Technology
  • Needs Analysis
  • Conversion
  • Training
  • Tech Support
  • Staffing
  • Reporting
  • Hardware
  • Interfacing with Other Programs
  • Buy-In
  •     8.03What Accounts Receivable Technology Looks Like
        8.04Action Plan
    Chapter 9: The Collection Process
        9.01Overview
        9.02Review the Terms of the Agreement
        9.03Review the Local Rules of Professional Conduct
        9.04Create a Written Policy
  • Credit Policy
  • Sample Client Forms
  • Collection Terms
  • Collection Schedule
  • Collection Letters
  • Letters to Accompany Telephone Calls
  • Overdue Account Form and Monthly Reports
  • Compliance Policy for Lawyers
  •     9.05Assigning Responsibility for Collections
        9.06Accounts Receivable Reports
  • AR Aging Report
  •     9.07Accounts Receivable Clerk
        9.08Contacting the Client
  • Call Sheets
  • Dial and Smile
  • Calls and Letters in Tandem
  •     9.09Obtaining the Information
        9.10Discounting the Bill
        9.11Action Plan
    Chapter 10: When In-House Collection Fails
        10.01Cutting Your Losses
        10.02Efforts from the Firm
        10.03Collection Agencies
        10.04Filing Suit
  • Required Activities
  • Insurance Company
  • Review the Statute of Limitations
  • Review Your File
  •     10.05Winning
        10.06Action Plan
    Chapter 11: Final Words
        11.01Benefits from a Better Collections Process
        11.02Merchant Account
        11.03Collaborative Relationships with the Accounts-Payable Department
        11.04Knowing Others in the Client's Organization
        11.05Conclusion

    Appendix A
    New Client Intake Form-Sample 1
    New Client Intake Form-Sample 2
    Commonly Used Financial Ratios During
    Intake Process
    Appendix B
    Checklist-Retainers
    Checklist-Engagement Agreements/
    Nonengagement Letters
    Checklist-File-Opening/Pre-Opening Appendix C
    Sample Fee Agreement 1
    Sample Fee Agreement 2 Appendix D
    Status Report-Sample 1
    Status Report-Sample 2 Appendix E
    Case/Matter Budget
    Case/Matter Budget-Discovery
    Litigation Budget
    Litigation Budget Worksheet: Case Assessment,
    Development, and Administration Appendix F
    ABA Model Rule 1.5: Fees Appendix G
    California State Bar Rule 4-200
    California Business and Professions Code Section 6148
    California Business and Professions Code Section 6149 Appendix H
    Sample Detailed Bill Appendix I
    Tabs III
    PCLaw Appendix J
    Collection Schedule Appendix K
    Collection Letter #1
    Collection Letter #2
    Collection Letter #3
    Collection Letter #4 Appendix L
    Promise to Pay Letter
    Payment Received Letter
    Missed Payment Letter Appendix M
    Aging Analysis Report-Sample
    Aging Analysis Report-Blank Appendix N
    Accounts Receivable Aging Schedule by Percentage by Quarter-Sample
    Accounts Receivable Aging Schedule by Percentage by Quarter-Blank Appendix O
    Overdue Account Call Sheet Appendix P
    Script for Dial and Smile

    Index

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