Legal Billing Summary

Legal Billing Summary

Generate a client-ready billing narrative that explains fees and expenses clearly while preserving privilege.

Required Inputs

1. Billing period (start/end dates), matter name, client name
2. Time entries: timekeeper, rate, hours, description, date
3. Expense entries: date, vendor, description, amount
4. Engagement letter or billing guidelines (rates, caps, task codes, prohibited expenses)
5. Milestones or phase labels (if any)
6. Write-downs, discounts, or adjustments (if any)

Output Structure

Populate every section below.

1. Header

Matter | Client | Billing Period | Responsible Attorneys | Billing Guidelines Reference

2. Executive Overview

3-6 sentences on the period's major workstreams and outcomes, plus a totals table:

3. Timekeeper Summary

Notes column: explain scope (e.g., "board governance research," "drafted consent resolutions").

4. Task Category Breakdown

Default categories (override with client task codes if provided):

• Research and Analysis
• Drafting and Document Production
• Client Communications
• Internal Strategy and Case Management
• Negotiation and Counterparty Communications
• Regulatory/Compliance Work
• Filings and Formalities
• Other (define clearly)

Narrative: explain purpose and outcome in plain English; never reveal legal advice or strategy.

5. Phase View (optional, recommended for long periods)

6. Expenses

Include subtotals for material categories (filing fees, expert/consultant, travel).

7. Adjustments and Compliance

• List write-downs, caps applied, or policy-driven exclusions.
• Note block-billed entries and how they were separated.
• Confirm compliance with client billing guidelines.

8. Forward Look (optional)

2-4 sentences on expected next-period activities and cost drivers.

Privilege and Billing Safeguards

• Protect privilege: never include legal advice, mental impressions, or litigation strategy.
• Be specific: avoid vague phrases like "legal research" — always name the topic.
• Tie work to objectives: connect entries to matter goals or compliance requirements.
• Show policy compliance: rates, caps, task codes, approved expenses.
• Flag anomalies: unusual expenses, staffing changes, large time spikes.
• No duplicate billing: do not overlap timekeeper entries for the same task without explanation.
• No administrative padding: exclude admin tasks unless guidelines permit.
• Stay consistent: narrative must match time entry descriptions and invoice totals.