Honigman is a premier business law firm, based in Michigan with an international practice. Honigman is consistently recognized as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work, we earned this recognition by recruiting attorneys and staff members with outstanding credentials. Currently, we are looking for a IP Billing Specialist in our Detroit office. In addition to our Detroit office, we have offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Kalamazoo, Chicago, and Washington D.C. With more than 350 attorneys working in 60 different areas of concentration, Honigman provides timely and cost-effective counsel to clients in numerous industries.
JOB SUMMARY
The Intellectual Property (IP) Billing Specialist is responsible for managing the billing and invoicing processes with strong proficiency in legal billing. This includes coordinating and executing the entire billing process for assigned IP billing attorneys and clients, editing pre-bills, processing and transmitting client invoices, maintaining client billing guidelines, and prompt resolution of billing inquiries or requests. The IP Billing Specialist plays a critical part in ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely billing to clients by collaborating well with attorneys, clients, and other staff members.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Billing:
- Preparation of bills in a Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard format for transmission through various electronic billing sites for select clients, monitoring for status and troubleshooting of same, set up of e-billing information in client portals as required to bill.
- Direct contact with attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, etc. as required to prepare bills and answer all other administrative requests, requiring excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ensure all invoices have the necessary backup documentation.
- Review foreign agent invoices received, check coding and matter number for accuracy. Input invoice information on milestone sheet. Stamp approval and return to internal employee.
- Input US completed/filed matters to milestone report, generate USPTO fee sheet.
- Review and compile work authorizations, invoices and fee sheets and send milestone reports to stakeholders.
- Update and generate a USPTO fee sheet (U.S. matters), or foreign invoice (foreign matters).
- Review each milestone pre-bill to check the coding to see if it has been billed before. Responsible for checking the threshold.
- Responsible for checking the disbursements for correct PAT codes and Expense codes.
- Reformat the invoice to the LEDES file before uploading it to Legal Tracker e-billing site.
- Upload the invoice along with the supporting document (WA).
- Ensure within the invoice that the specific milestone that was met is entered including steps in the process of completing a milestone.
- Rejected invoices must be corrected and resubmitted within 10 days.
Reports:
- Responsible for sending a WIP Report, an Aged WIP Report and a WIP chart in excel spreadsheet.
- Generate and send a Bills Rendered Report.
- Save all monthly reports T drive for future reference.
Foreign Invoices:
- Foreign matters to be billed after foreign associate’s invoices are received, with U.S. Law Firm and Foreign Law Firm time billed on the same invoice.
- Date stamp foreign invoices and check for coding errors and correct if needed.
- All FA invoices must be posted in a timely manner for billing.
- Invoices are scanned and saved on the T drive for Kwik tagging.
Client Matter ID:
- Link all matters in Aderant and Legal Tracker matter number for upload.
Timekeepers:
- Ensure only pre-approved timekeepers can work on certain milestones.
- Submit timekeeper rate sheets into Legal Tracker.
- Ensure timekeeper rate increases are reviewed in May every two years, according to clients’ guidelines.
Accruals:
- Submit mandatory accruals by deadline at the end of every month. This date varies each month.
- Generate an email for All Timekeepers to release their time, so it reflects on the Accruals.
- Run a SQL Report and export that information onto a spreadsheet.
- Reformat the spreadsheet, upload it into Legal Tracker.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary to maintain effective relationships with partners, attorneys, clients, and staff, exhibiting a high degree of responsiveness, diplomacy, and professionalism in these interactions.
- Knowledge and experience in client communication within the financial or legal industry.
- A high school diploma or GED (required); additional college coursework preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience in an accounting/business environment; law office experience preferred.
- Time and expense-based systems experience required; experience working with Aderant Billing Software strongly preferred.
- E-billing experience preferred.
- Previous experience in e-billing or billing, with knowledge of electronic billing systems including tracking status, troubleshooting, and working with clients/attorneys to resolve problems, preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated skills in reconciliation, financial reporting, and data entry.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective time management skills.
- A strong client service approach and team orientation, with the ability to speak effectively and respond to common inquiries or complaints from all levels of clients and professional support staff.
- Ability to work overtime as requested. Core business hours are 8:30 a.m-5:00p.m.
Requirements added by the job poster
- Authorized to work in the United States
- No need for visa sponsorship
Pay Range and Compensation Package
Honigman provides a generous total compensation package, which includes comprehensive health and well-being benefits, as well as 401k and profit sharing. The anticipated annual pay range for this role is $70,000 to $80,000 (non-exempt). The actual offered pay rate will be determined based on various factors, including qualifications, experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity considerations.
Benefits & Additional Information
Successful candidates will enjoy an exceptional career opportunity within a welcoming environment. Eligible employees can also take advantage of Honigman’s comprehensive benefits program, highlights of which are below:
- Healthcare, life and disability insurance
- 401K and profit sharing
- Bonus program
- Generous All Purpose Leave (APL) program that increases with tenure
- Well-being programs (e.g., mental health services, medical resources, and more)
- Learning and development programs
- Employee discounts
For more information, click on “Our Benefits” when you visit: https://www.honigman.com/careers-business-professionals
Honigman is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other category prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, and termination.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Detroit, MI 48226
