PaySec + Clio: Eliminate Processing Fees on Legal Client Payments
How law firms using Clio are integrating PaySec's Network Offset Pricing to stop losing 2-3% on every client payment and trust deposit.
Clio is the leading practice management platform for law firms — managing matters, time tracking, billing, documents, and client communication. With over 150,000 legal professionals relying on Clio worldwide, it has become the operational backbone of modern legal practice. When it comes to getting paid, Clio Payments (powered by Clio's integrated processor) charges standard rates that add up quickly on large legal invoices.
PaySec's Clio integration eliminates those fees, letting firms retain 100% of billed and collected revenue.
How Network Offset Pricing Works with Clio
Network Offset Pricing (NOP) presents your clients with two transparent payment options on every invoice. When a client clicks "Pay" on a Clio-generated invoice, they see the standard amount for ACH/wire and a slightly higher amount for credit card payment. The card price includes a small offset that covers the cost of card processing.
For example, on a $5,000 legal invoice:
- ACH/bank transfer: $5,000.00
- Credit/debit card: $5,200.00
The client chooses their preferred method. Your firm receives the full $5,000 either way. NOP is legal in all 50 states, compliant with all major card network rules, and requires no long-term contracts or volume commitments from PaySec. Most law firms are approved within 3-5 business days.
Legal Industry Payment Costs
Law firms process high-value payments — retainers, invoices, and trust deposits:
| Firm Size | Monthly Collections | Processing Rate | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo attorney | $20,000 | 2.9% | $6,960 |
| Small firm (2-5 attorneys) | $60,000 | 2.7% | $19,440 |
| Mid-size (6-20) | $200,000 | 2.5% | $60,000 |
| Large firm (20+) | $500,000 | 2.4% | $144,000 |
How PaySec Works with Clio
Invoice Payments
- Invoice created in Clio from time entries
- Client receives invoice with PaySec payment link
- Payment page shows: "$5,000 (ACH/wire) or $5,200 (card)"
- Client pays, invoice marked paid in Clio
- No processing fee deducted from collection
Trust/IOLTA Deposits
Law firms collecting trust deposits must carefully track every dollar. Processing fees create complications:
Without PaySec: Client sends $10,000 retainer by card → $9,750 deposited after fees → Trust accounting doesn't match With PaySec (NOP): Client pays $10,400 by card (or $10,000 by ACH) → Full $10,000 deposited to trust → Clean accounting
Flat Fee Collection
For firms using flat-fee arrangements:
- Flat fee collected at engagement with NOP
- Client pays $3,000 (ACH) or $3,120 (card)
- Full fee deposited regardless of payment method
Subscription / Monthly Retainer
Firms on monthly retainer arrangements:
- Each month's payment processed with NOP
- Consistent client billing experience
- Zero fees compounding across all retainer clients
Legal-Specific Considerations
Trust Accounting Compliance
Processing fees on trust deposits create compliance headaches:
- Who absorbs the fee — firm or client?
- How do you account for the fee deduction in trust ledger?
- PaySec eliminates this entire question — full deposit arrives, clean accounting
Ethical Considerations
Most state bars permit passing processing costs to clients when disclosed in advance and agreed to in the engagement letter. Network Offset Pricing, with its transparent dual pricing displayed before payment, provides clear disclosure.
High-Value Transactions
Legal transactions are frequently $5,000-$50,000+:
| Payment Type | Amount | Fee Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury retainer | $10,000 | $270 |
| Corporate matter invoice | $25,000 | $675 |
| Real estate closing | $15,000 | $405 |
| Litigation invoice (monthly) | $8,000 | $216 |
Firm Savings
| Firm Profile | Monthly Collections | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Solo PI attorney | $30,000 | $9,720 |
| Family law (3 attorneys) | $75,000 | $24,300 |
| Corporate/commercial (8) | $200,000 | $60,000 |
| Litigation firm (15) | $350,000 | $105,000 |
Who Benefits Most?
While any law firm using Clio can benefit from PaySec, certain firm profiles see the most dramatic savings:
- Personal injury firms collecting large retainers and settlements where a single payment can carry hundreds in processing fees
- Corporate and commercial firms billing high-value monthly invoices to institutional clients who prefer card payment for rewards or cash flow management
- Family law practices processing retainers, monthly payments, and final settlements across dozens of active matters
- Real estate attorneys handling closing-related fees and disbursements at significant dollar amounts
- Immigration firms collecting flat fees and retainers from clients who frequently prefer card payment
Any firm collecting more than $20,000/month in client payments will see meaningful annual savings. For firms collecting $100,000+/month, the savings often exceed an associate's salary.
Getting Started
- Contact PaySec for legal industry merchant account
- Connect to Clio via integration
- Configure invoice payment links with dual pricing
- Update engagement letter template (disclosure language)
- First client payment at zero cost
PaySec requires no contracts, no monthly minimums, and provides PCI Level 1 compliant payment infrastructure. Approval typically takes 3-5 business days, and most firms are collecting payments through PaySec within a week of signing up.
PaySec + Clio: the law firm platform that tracks every billable minute, now paired with payment processing that keeps every billable dollar.