What is double billing in the context of legal services?

Double billing refers to the unethical practice of invoicing multiple clients for the same service period. This can occur when a lawyer or a paralegal works concurrently on two different cases during the same time frame and improperly charges both clients for that overlapping time. This practice is not only viewed as dishonest but also violates professional ethics guidelines that govern the legal profession.

By correctly identifying double billing as involving the invoicing of more than one client for the same service, the answer highlights a significant ethical issue that legal professionals must be aware of and avoid to maintain trust and integrity in their practice. Recognizing double billing is crucial for both legal professionals and clients to ensure that billing practices are transparent and fair.