The truth about fees and billing in law
“You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.”
Last week, we held our first Fees & Billing Roundtable inside Female Lawyers’ Club.
It was one of those conversations that reminded me just how much we need spaces like this in the profession. We barely scratched the surface in an hour, but already so much came out that was practical, reassuring, and thought-provoking.
Here are a few takeaways that might resonate with you:
✨ Many lawyers undercharge.
Several members (myself included) admitted to lowering their quotes at the last minute, writing off hours, or silently absorbing scope creep. The common threads were feeling guilty and also worry that the client won’t see the value.
✨ Boundaries matter.
One of the best strategies shared was to break work into clear “stages,” each with its own scope and fee. This makes it easier to manage expectations and protects you from endless unpaid extras.
✨ Urgency has a price.
We talked about how other industries handle this openly: if you call a plumber out for an emergency, you expect to pay more for immediate service. Uber does the same with surge pricing. Why should our work be different? If a client needs something urgently, it’s not only fair to charge a premium – it’s about being transparent that faster service comes at a higher cost.
✨ You are not alone.
Almost everyone confessed to struggling with billing confidence. Simply hearing “me too” lifted a weight – proof that the problem isn’t individual weakness, but the culture of law itself.
For me, the biggest takeaway was this:
Talking about money doesn’t make us less professional – it helps us build careers that are financially and personally sustainable.
And that’s what Female Lawyers’ Club is all about.
If these insights have been useful, you’ll get even more from the full conversation. The replay is available for Female Lawyers’ Club members, and we’ll be continuing the discussion in Part 2 next month.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Rachel