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Run the Payroll Fee Auditor →Blog · Payroll Management · Law Firm
Law Firm Payroll: Managed for Under 25 Employees | BEGployees) (2026)
Managed payroll at $25-$45 PEPM all-inclusive makes economic sense at nearly every size for law firms, but the specific value drivers differ depending on headcount.
Payroll at Different Sizes for Law Firms
| Law Firms Size | Monthly Cost | vs. In-House Hire |
|---|---|---|
| 5-attorney firm | $125-$225/mo | Save $63K-$98K/yr |
| 20-attorney firm | $500-$900/mo | Save $58K-$92K/yr |
| 50-attorney firm | $1,250-$2,250/mo | Save $48K-$78K/yr |
The comparison is against an in-house hire at $65,000-$100,000 fully loaded to $67K-$13K per year.
Under 25 Employees: The Clearest ROI
For law firms under 25 employees, in-house payroll cannot be justified. A payroll coordinator costs $65,000-$100,000 fully loaded -- compared to $625-$1,125/month for managed payroll. The savings pay for a year of managed payroll in the first 2-3 months.
25-75 Employees: Complexity Drives the Case
In the 25-75 employee range, law firms are dealing with more billable hours tracking, partner draw vs. salary, attorney bonus structures, IOLTA compliance. An in-house generalist is less likely to have the depth needed in these areas. Managed payroll provides specialist coverage that reduces exposure.
75-200 Employees: Hybrid Approaches Emerge
At 75+ employees, law firms often consider a hybrid approach: an HR generalist handles employee relations and benefits while a managed payroll provider handles the compliance-heavy payroll function. This keeps an internal HR presence while outsourcing the most technically complex piece.
How to Get a Quote for Your Law Firms
BEG quotes managed payroll based on your actual headcount and pay frequency. For most law firms, the first discovery call includes a custom cost comparison against your current setup.
Managed Payroll, Handled.
BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. Get an instant cost comparison for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you handle attorney bonus payroll?
Yes. Attorney bonuses are processed as supplemental pay runs with the correct federal and state supplemental withholding rates applied.
How do you handle partner draws vs. salary?
Partners taking guaranteed payments or draws are set up with the correct pay type. For W-2 partners, salary runs normally. For guaranteed payments outside W-2, we coordinate with your accounting team.
How do you handle attorney overtime exemptions?
Attorneys meeting the FLSA learned professional exemption are classified as exempt and not subject to overtime. We ensure exemption criteria are documented in the payroll system.
Can you process payroll across multiple office locations?
Yes. Law firms with multiple offices run on a single payroll system with state withholding and unemployment handled for each state.
What does BEG charge for law firm payroll?
Law firm payroll runs at $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. For a 20-attorney firm with 30 total staff, that is approximately $750-$1,350 per month.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including Law Firms. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division
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