Example legal services invoice
Here is what a typical legal services invoice built with this template looks like. It bills 5 line items, from “Review and revise purchase agreement” to “Courier & copying”, for a subtotal of $1,640.50 before tax. Swap in your own rates; the amounts recalculate automatically.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review and revise purchase agreement (hrs) | 2.4 | $325.00 | $780.00 |
| Client call re: closing conditions (hrs) | 0.5 | $325.00 | $162.50 |
| Paralegal – prepare filing documents (hrs) | 1.8 | $125.00 | $225.00 |
| Court filing fee | 1 | $435.00 | $435.00 |
| Courier & copying | 1 | $38.00 | $38.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,640.50 | ||
Suggested note for the client: Matter: Smith v. Jones (#2026-118). Funds applied from trust/retainer where applicable. Payment due within 30 days.
What to include on a legal services invoice
- Client name and matter name/number
- Date, task description and timekeeper for each entry
- Time in tenths of an hour (6-minute increments)
- Hourly rate per timekeeper
- Disbursements (filing fees, courier, expert fees)
- Retainer balance and trust account activity
Legal Services invoicing tips
- Record time in 0.1-hour increments with a clear task description – clients scrutinize vague entries like "work on file".
- Separate attorney and paralegal time with different rates.
- Show retainer applied and remaining trust balance.
- Follow your bar's rules on billing and fee agreements.
How to use this template
- Replace the sample line items with the work you actually did. The example items show typical legal services charges and rates – adjust them to your prices.
- Add your business and client details, set the invoice number and due date, and add tax if you are registered to collect it.
- Download the PDF and email it to your client. Your edits are saved in this browser, so next month you only need to change the dates and items.
Need to quote the job first? Use the quote generator. Getting paid late? Work out interest with the late fee calculator, or browse all 50 invoice templates.
Frequently asked questions
Why do lawyers bill in 6-minute increments?
Six minutes is one-tenth of an hour, which makes time entries easy to total and is the standard across most law firms.
How should a retainer appear on an invoice?
Show the invoice total, the amount drawn from the retainer or trust account, and the remaining balance.
Is this legal services invoice template free?
Yes. Edit every field, download as many PDFs as you like and print them. There is no sign-up, no watermark and nothing is uploaded to our servers.
How do I save the invoice as a PDF?
Click "Download PDF / Print" and choose "Save as PDF" as the destination in the print dialog. It works on desktop and mobile browsers.