Bill4Time Staff

When it was released, cloud-based technology was a game-changer for businesses in all industries. Law firms are beginning to see the benefits of cloud-based solutions for better productivity, security, and cost-effectiveness. These solutions offer numerous benefits, including user-friendly features, accessibility, and automation, making the day-to-day operations of a law firm faster and more convenient. Here are the 6 advantages of cloud-based billing for lawyers.

What is a Cloud-Based Billing or a Cloud-Based System?

A cloud-based system, also known as a cloud-based solution, cloud software, or cloud computing, is an all-encompassing term that refers to hosted services over the internet. Instead of storing information in physical documents at a physical location, cloud services bring everything to a virtual space.

The cloud can be public, which means the services are sold to anyone with internet access, or private, which is a proprietary network or data center that offers its services to a shortlist of people with limited rights and access.

For business, a cloud-based system revolutionized industries by supporting remote teams and tasks, enhancing data security, and storing vital information in a safe place where it’s unlikely to get lost, even if a device goes down or an office building suffers a disaster. Another feature is automation, which is available from certain vendors and tackles some of the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business or law firm.

1. Remote Access

Most of the world has gone digital, and businesses are realizing the benefits of hybrid and remote teams. Attorneys can now work from any location, whether they’re remote employees, out on client lunch meetings, or spending time at the courthouse. Laptops, smartphones, and tablets can be equipped with cloud-based technology that offers access to important documentation without leaving it sensitive to breach.

In addition, remote access with cloud solutions makes timekeeping more effective. Attorneys struggle with time tracking, to begin with, but it becomes more challenging when they’re out in the field. Client meetings, research, and other out-of-the-office tasks can be forgotten, leaving attorneys without hours of billable tasks. Time-tracking consumes a large portion of an attorney’s tasks, so by automating this process with a tool like Bill4Time, attorneys can keep a log of billable time with handy tools like automated timers and appointment conversion. Best of all, these tools are available on any device with an internet connection.

2. Security

One of the concerns with technology for law firms has always been security. Attorneys and law firms amass a lot of sensitive information, both for the firm and the clients, and a breach could be devastating. To combat this, law firms preferred manual entry methods and physical documents.

Cloud-based solutions are secure, however. In fact, they may be more secure than physical documentation, which is vulnerable to theft or disaster. With a cloud-based solution, the information is stored on a physical server with a secure data center that only verified individuals can access. Vendors provide security through updates and monitoring from IT teams and backup servers to protect information. If a device crashes or the law firm suffers a disaster like a flood or fire, the documents are safely stowed away on the cloud.

Bill4Time’s cloud solution uses data centers with 24/7 uninterrupted service and data security provided by third-party leaders in the industry. Data centers are also distributed geographically to mitigate the impact of disruptions to regional service. Updates and services take place in rollouts that ensure clients experience minimal downtime.

3. Low Maintenance

Maintaining physical documentation or on-premises storage solutions present challenges for law firms. Depending on the size of the firm, it may need several servers to meet its demands, taking up physical space and creating information silos.

On-premises solutions require ongoing maintenance and associated expenses, such as backup hardware, battery power, and repairs. Law firms may need to bring on an IT professional or a team to manage these tasks, cutting into the bottom line. If the system goes down, staff can’t invoice, bill, or track time effectively, losing billable hours.

Cloud-based billing solutions address all of these problems. Information is stored on distributed servers to limit disruptions and mitigate the effects of outages. Any updates or maintenance tasks are handled by the vendor, ensuring minimal downtime and eliminating the need for an in-house IT team.

4. Automation

Legal management software with cloud-based solutions offers many productivity tools and features, such as a recurring billing process, automating invoicing, due date and payment reminders, and more. This takes a lot of the strain off law firm staff, allowing them to focus on mission-critical tasks.

To streamline the process, Bill4Time’s legal management software allows law firms to create detailed, customized invoices and reports that align with the previous standards and designs. When the time-tracking system is upgraded, clients can count on continuity and consistency in the invoices that maintain their trust in the firm. The programming team does all the work and duplicates existing invoice formats and templates. In addition, invoices can be detailed with fields for custom reports, users summaries, trust account activity, and appended forms. The software also supports custom rate tables and billing data reports.

5. Simplified Auditing

Audits can be stressful, but time-tracking software simplifies the process by providing all the important details to prepare, including invoices, recurrent billings, financial reports, and payments. All account activity is recorded in one place to save time, energy, and costs.

Outside of an audit, law firms can bring up a detailed analysis of any report at any time using legal management software. This may include taxes, liabilities, and expenses, tax deductions, and more.

6. Profitability

Time-tracking, billing, and data storage are among the most important concerns for any business, especially law firms. Using an automated legal management solution with the cloud allows law firms to automate redundant tasks, track time effectively, and support remote and hybrid teams.

Cloud computing is the future of law firms and businesses in a variety of industries. Specific practice management solutions provide cloud-based data storage and reporting with secure networks and servers, automatic maintenance and upgrades, and remote access for remote attorneys or attorneys in the field. With the right tools in place, law firms can save time, money, and frustration.

2022 brings a new start, but a world still dealing with the ongoing pandemic. Law firms looking to adjust to the “new normal” are looking toward legal technology trends to address client demand and continue with growth.

The speed and flexibility of the cloud, automation, and other tools allow law firms to deploy solutions without developer support or long wait times for IT. According to Gartner, the legal and technology predictions for 2022 include the notion that the legal department will automate over 50 percent of legal work for key business transactions.

With increasingly capable technology and evolving client expectations, legal technology is the best choice for many law firms to stay competitive. These 7 legal technology trends are a must for law firms to see success in 2022.

What is Legal Technology?

Before we dive into the legal technology trends, it’s important to understand what this technology is. Legal technology uses new technologies, from artificial intelligence to automation to blockchain technology, to deliver more efficient and effective legal services.

In the past, legal technology was used to refer to law firm technology for practice management, billing, document storage, or accounting. Being a traditional industry, law firms weren’t quick to adopt these solutions and preferred the tried-and-true methods.

Legal technology has come a long way in a short time, however. Now, legal technology can be used to adapt a law firm to the modern challenges of practicing in a post-pandemic world and delivering better, faster, and more comprehensive services to clients. It also enhances the lives of lawyers with remote work opportunities, constant connectivity, better timekeeping and billing, and more.

1. Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is sweeping industries everywhere, and it’s found its way to law. Consumers are moving toward digital, and law firms need to get onboard to reach clients where they want to be.

At the least, law firms should make sure they’re discoverable on search engines and business sites, such as Google My Business, and that all the information is current and accurate. Clients are using search to find law firms, so it’s vital for law firms to keep that information relevant.

2. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a lucrative technology in virtually all industries, and law firms are realizing the value of AI for managing day-to-day tasks. Data volume is expanding, so law firms must use technology to streamline data management and improve the client experience.

In fact, according to Zion Market Research, the global AI legal technology market is poised to generate over $37 billion by 2026. With AI, law firms can be free of mundane, repetitive tasks and focus on client and legal practice.

3. Cybersecurity

Cybercrime is on the rise, especially in the legal sector. As law firms shift from in-person to a remote or hybrid work environment, more and more sensitive information is at risk from a hack or breach from bad actors.

According to a report from the National Cyber Security Centre, over 60 percent of law firms reported an information breach. Law firms have a lot of sensitive business and client data and are increasingly moving toward remote systems and cloud-based storage, so it’s more important than ever for them to protect data with rigorous cybersecurity measures.

4. Automation

Workflow automation is a valuable tool for law firms to stay productive. Oftentimes, law firm management and leadership are tasked with non-legal work, such as marketing, client communications, and accounting and billing, which takes away from billable time working on client cases.

Automation is already popular for law firms, but it’s likely to increase in 2022 to improve efficiency and lower expenses. Legal automation technology can handle many repetitive tasks, such as billing and invoicing.

5. Client Focus

Like the rest of the business world, the legal industry is expected to shift to a more client-focused approach in 2022. Clients want more remote legal solutions, such as meeting with lawyers over a video call.

Clients are also interested in diversity, sustainability, and inclusion in future-focused law firms. Adopting remote processes and a hybrid work model allows law firms to widen the talent pool and bring in talent from more diverse backgrounds, as well as providing better learning and development opportunities.

In addition, practice management systems allow legal teams to text with clients via the platform, automate emails, and access client information from anywhere with an internet connection. Now, lawyers who work in the field, whether at client lunches or at the courthouse, can keep to a schedule and speak with clients when it matters most.

6. Digital Interfaces

Lawyers often have to contact courts and other government agencies, and digital interfaces are offering opportunities to streamline this process. While there’s only a small number of vendors providing these solutions at this time, the pandemic has pushed governments and courts to a more digital approach to address these needs in remote environments.

7. Available Lawyers

Along with a client-focus, modern clients are more anxious than ever and want fast responses to questions and concerns from legal teams. Instead of searching the internet, clients are looking for attorneys who are available and ready to answer questions and provide comfort with case stress.

This puts considerable strain on lawyers, but many law firms are investing in solutions that deliver this type of service. To promote work-life balance, law firms are adopting partner organizations with 24/7 website and phone access to help clients when lawyers and legal teams aren’t available.

Adopt Legal Technology

Though traditional in its approach, the legal industry is becoming more and more comfortable with automation, remote hearings, video conferences, and other technology offerings that improve client communications streamline workflows, and enhance work-life balance.

Done correctly, legal technology can remove existing barriers and have a positive impact on the legal industry. Bill4Time is a leading law practice management solution that offers intelligent solutions designed specifically for law firms, including document management, client management, task management, timekeeping, customizable invoices, and more. The software also integrates to existing storage systems, calendars, email services, and more to streamline day-to-day processes. Request a demo to see how Bill4Time can help you grow your practice!

Whether you’re shopping for a colleague at your law firm or a client looking for the perfect gift to show your appreciation, we’ve got you covered. Lawyers want gifts that are practical and can actually enhance their day-to-day life. Here are 11 gifts for lawyers to increase productivity and won’t collect dust on their desks.

1. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Lawyers often struggle with time management, which can be far worse when the firm is busy and distracting. Noise-canceling headphones shut out the distractions to provide excellent concentration. Headphones don’t restrict all sound, but they reduce and control loud discussions 

2. Meal-Prep Service

Mealtime could be even easier with a ready-to-go meal-prep service. For a lawyer who likes to cook but doesn’t have time to plan recipes or shop strategically, a subscription to a meal service is the ideal solution. Services like Green Chef, HelloFresh, and Blue Apron offer top-notch recipes with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Some meal services also offer meal selection or specialty recipe plans, such as clean eating, plant-based, or paleo. Meals are delivered in insulated boxes, so the lawyer doesn’t need to be home to receive them. Preparing quality meals has never been easier!

3. Personalized Yoga Mat

Part of productivity is maintaining a healthy work/life balance to prevent burnout. Lawyers can get busy and neglect their hobbies, including yoga or other fitness habits. A personalized yoga mat is a great gift to help a lawyer remember to stay healthy and focused, no matter what the day brings. Yoga mats are also portable, so they can be used in the office, in a hotel at a conference, or at home.

4. Voice-Controlled Devices

Voice-controlled devices, such as the Echo Dot from Amazon, make a huge difference in productivity. Lawyers can simply say commands to make calls, send texts, or perform other small tasks. These devices are also streamlined and fit into modern office décor.

5. Paper Shredder

A paper shredder may not be the sexiest gift, but it’s a huge help for any lawyer. These professionals often have to dispose of sensitive documents, so they can’t be thrown in the recycling bin. These documents need to be shredded, and a high-quality crosscut shredder makes the job quick and easy.

6. Digital Course

Lawyers spend a lot of time on their education, but the good ones never stop learning. With the availability of digital courses, certificate programs, and webinars, lawyers can continue to enhance their skill set in areas like computer science, business communication, trends in international law, productivity, and more. Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer virtually endless possibilities, making this an excellent gift for the forever learner.

7. Legal Technology Guides

Legal technology solutions are sweeping the legal industry and helping lawyers streamline their practices. One of the top-selling books on this topic is A Short & Happy Guide to Advanced Legal Research by Ann Walsh Long, which covers the how-to of legal research and the legal technology solutions on the market. This is the perfect gift for lawyers looking to modernize their practices.

8. Personalized Leather Journal Notebook

Lawyers always need to take notes, even if they have legal technology software. Note-taking comes naturally, and lawyers tend to track time or make notes of thoughts as they come up throughout the day. A personalized leather journal notebook has a professional look and adds to the look of the office while serving a practical purpose. That’s definitely an upgrade from post-it notes or a spiral-ring notebook!

9. Unique Thumb Drives

Lawyers need a lot of thumb drives, but who wants a bunch of boring black thumb drives lying around? Thumb drives come in a variety of character and pop culture styles, such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel superheroes, DC superheroes, and other pop culture icons. The rest of the office can be rich mahogany and leather, so incorporating gifts for lawyers that are fun can bring some lightness into the mix.

10. A Wine Subscription

Sometimes, productivity means knowing how to take some “me” time. Wine.com offers an annual membership with wine and other spirits delivered right to the door. Lawyers that enjoy fine wine and spirits will love sampling new wines and trying out new cocktail recipes. The website also offers a lot of resources, such as wine tasting sets, wine and spirit guides, and recipe books.

11. Espresso Machine

Most lawyers love their coffee, so a coffee-related gift is a surefire hit. Espresso machines not only benefit the lawyer but create an outstanding experience for their clients and colleagues visiting the firm. Espresso machines run the gamut from inexpensive to the price of a car, but clients can find quality machines with tons of bells and whistles to create delicious brews. Clients can also throw in a basket of espresso grounds, flavor syrups, and barista tools.  

These Gifts for Lawyers Productivity Will Speak Volumes

Lawyers work hard for their clients, so they appreciate a gesture of thought and kindness during the holiday season. The diverse gifts on this list range from low-cost and fun to thoughtful and practical, so there’s something for every lawyer.

Lawyers are paid for the time they spend on casework, whether it’s consultations, case meetings, or court appearances. Administrative tasks, such as balancing the books, organizing files, answering phone calls, or addressing marketing strategy can take up a significant portion of the day – all in non-billable time. In fact, administrative burdens are so cumbersome to small firms that some lawyers consider administrative time among the top challenges they face. Workloads have skyrocketed over the last year, even posing issues for retention. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce legal administrative time and limit administrative tasks for lawyers, leaving them to focus on the job they’re paid to do.

What is Billable Time?

Non-billable hours don’t have context without billable hours. Billable time is all the time a lawyer spends working on a specific client case, such as drafting emails, researching case information, or appearing in court.

Conversely, non-billable time is the time spent on tasks that may be vital to the function of the law firm, but don’t pertain to specific cases. This is time that lawyers can’t charge clients for and may include legal marketing, education and seminars, timekeeping, and phone calls.

Balancing billable and non-billable hours can be challenging. Some non-billable hours are inevitable, such as professional networking events and legal education, but they never belong on an invoice. 

Some non-billable time can be reduced, automated, or outsourced, however, such as bookkeeping and time tracking. Here’s how lawyers can reduce administrative time:

1. Outsourcing

The obvious answer to how to reduce administrative time for lawyers is by outsourcing administrative work. Most large law firms have an extensive support staff to help with these tasks, but the extra expense can be a challenge for small firms.

If the budget is tight, law firms can hire as-needed help, such as a virtual paralegal or part-time positions to address administrative needs. Contractors help with tasks like bookkeeping, marketing, web development, and design, or fielding phone calls without adding a full-time position.

2. Delegating

Delegating can relieve some of the administrative burdens, but it’s not the strong suit of most lawyers. In some cases, the administrative tasks are piled on one person because they choose to do it all themselves.

Lawyers should prioritize the workload and focus on the tasks only they can do, such as case research or client calls. Beyond that, the tasks can be delegated to the appropriate team members as needed to ensure that everything gets done.

3. Better Organization

In addition to tasks that take time to complete, some lawyers waste time looking for the supplies they need. Client files, past case files, or basic office supplies can take time to find, which can turn a quick task into a significant chunk of the day.

File maintenance and organization is critical to a smoothly running law firm. Lost files and misplaced documents not only waste precious non-billable time, but they can lead to malpractice suits. Also, if your clients are evaluating your capability based on your organization, a messy desk or frantic search for files can leave a bad impression.

The best way to stay organized is with digital tools. Searching for documents stored online is a matter of a quick toolbar search, rather than hours spent rifling through paperwork. With cloud-based storage solutions, lawyers have the security and confidentiality they want, along with an efficient organizational system that makes accessing documents more convenient,

4. Time Tracking

Tracking time is among the most important legal administrative tasks at a law firm. Accurate time tracking ensures that lawyers are billing for all the hours they work on a case, but tracking using paper notes or Excel information on the back of an envelope doesn’t cut it.

Like organization, digital tools are the best way to keep time accurately and efficiently. Digital time-tracking tools use automated processes with cloud-based storage to keep up with time logs for casework like research and meetings. Some practice management systems have built-in timers to record time easily, even if lawyers have to enter the field for meetings outside the office or court appearances. Then, when it’s time to bill, the system automatically generates invoices.

5. Practice Management Systems

Practice management systems are a great way to reduce legal administrative tasks. They offer automated systems specifically designed for law firms and legal professionals. In addition to timekeeping, practice management systems can automate and streamline administrative tasks like client records, case matters, billing, email management, and more.

Furthermore, practice management systems use cloud-based operating systems, so lawyers can access any information within the system at any time, from any device with an internet connection. So, while taking taxi rides, waiting for a client at a courthouse, or meeting a client for lunch, a lawyer can track time and keep up with billable and non-billable tasks.

Reduce Legal Administrative Tasks with Legal Technology

Non-billable hours and administrative tasks are part of doing business at a law firm, but lawyers can take numerous steps to reduce the administrative burden and focus on billable tasks. One of the best ways is with digital practice management systems, which track time and automate tasks like billing and time tracking. With solutions from Bill4Time, law firms can become more productive, efficient, and profitable with automated processes designed to cater to the needs of legal professionals.

It can be difficult to improve law firm productivity when so many lawyers and legal professionals are often overwhelmed and struggle to manage their day-to-day. While they’re certainly busy, sometimes bad habits can get in the way of effective task management and can hinder real work from being accomplished.

This isn’t limited to legal professionals – people in all industries can fall victim to low productivity. The modern world is filled with distractions that impede goals and time management, such as smartphones and social media.

Productivity is about working smarter, not harder to make the most of each workday. Take a look at the common ways lawyers and legal professionals hold themselves back from being productive and tips to improve law firm productivity.

1. Lack of Planning

For many, the biggest obstacle to law firm productivity is poor, or nonexistent, planning. Lawyers have to juggle a lot of tasks, clients, and appointments, so the best way to make sure everything gets done is with detailed planning.

Lawyers should map out the entire week and mark any appointments, scheduled calls, research periods, client meetings, or other time-bound tasks. That leaves space to plan other tasks throughout the day, such as unexpected calls, paperwork, time tracking, and more. While it’s expected that tasks may pop up, proper planning offers a time cushion to deal with them without derailing other projects.

How time is scheduled is up to the individual, but having realistic allotted time to complete each task helps people avoid procrastination, get important tasks accomplished, and plan out the most urgent parts of the to-do list.

2. Poor Time and Task Management

After using timekeeping software, lawyers often notice that a lot of time is wasted doing unrelated tasks or procrastinating. Things get put off, leading to a rush to get everything done. In many cases, the tasks that get shuffled are the ones people don’t want to do, such as sending out cold emails or scheduling appointments.

The best way to tackle time and task management is by starting the day off with your less desirable tasks. It’s human nature to complete the easiest tasks first, then leave the most difficult work for later. When this happens, the difficult work may never get done.

Furthermore, willpower decreases over the course of the day, which means people are even less inclined to do that dreaded work they’ve been putting off. Lawyers and legal professionals should prioritize the tasks that are tedious or unpleasant and get them out of the way, making the rest of the day a breeze to complete.

3. Too Many Distractions

Phones and emails are important for client communication, but they can hamper productivity easily. When a phone notification goes off or the inbox registers new emails in the middle of a project, it can distract people from the task at hand. Even if talking to a colleague takes a few minutes, that can add up if they continue to “pop in.” If this happens enough, a significant portion of the day can be lost to juggling multiple tasks.

The best solution is a scheduled time to address phone and email communications. The rest of the time, notifications can be silent. During the scheduled communication period, lawyers should respond to phone calls, emails, and messages immediately, both for professionalism and time management. Then, the rest of the time can be focused on the next task on the list.

And most importantly, social media should be silenced. Responding to one comment on social media can lead to checking other pages and wasting an hour scrolling through a newsfeed or reading articles. Most firms have designated social media professionals, but if not, time to engage with followers can be scheduled like everything else.

4. Poor Prioritization of Tasks

To-do lists are a great tool, but only if they’re used properly. For many lawyers, a to-do list can transform into a long line of tasks to complete in an unrealistic time frame. Lawyers become overwhelmed, and little gets accomplished.

Your to-do list should always begin with critical tasks – the tasks that must be done on that day. From there, the tasks should be less and less important. This way, if unexpected tasks interrupt and take priority, the remaining to-do list doesn’t throw off the whole schedule or lead to a negative outcome.

At the end of the day, lawyers should look at the agenda for the following day and prepare for the tasks ahead. Planning began early in the week, so a lot could change by Wednesday or Thursday. Looking at the next day’s tasks allows lawyers to plan ahead, and reprioritize as needed.

5. Not Using the Right Legal Software

In many ways, the legal industry is an old-school, traditional industry. Lawyers and legal professionals rely on time-consuming, outdated processes like manual time tracking, paper billing, and hard copies of client files. Many lawyers learn from other lawyers, which means they may not be on board with the benefits of using law firm productivity tools like legal software.

Legal software can provide a lot of help for time management and task management for lawyers. Features like time tracking, document automation, client management, and mobile access allow lawyers to automate routine processes and access mission-critical information at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection.

With these administrative tasks covered, lawyers can focus on the important tasks that only they can perform, such as client consultations, case research, and partner meetings. The result is not only to improve law firm productivity, but more accurate documentation for both the firm and the client.

Improve Law Firm Productivity with Bill4Time

The right legal software can go a long way in boosting productivity in a law firm. Bill4Time offers an affordable, efficient, and intuitive legal practice management solution with features designed specifically for law firms, such as document management, case management, billing and invoicing, and time tracking. With Bill4Time, lawyers can practice more and manage less with efficient, automated processes designed with law firms’ needs in mind.

Legal professionals are always up against the clock – there’s always more that can be done in a day, but not enough time to do it all. As a result, many lawyers just put in the time instead of finding more efficient methods, like digital time tracking. The most common challenges law firms face are time wasted on administrative tasks, new client acquisition, cost control, and expense growth. Many of these challenges can be corrected with modern legal technology. As an industry that bills by the hour, these inefficiencies can mean significant revenue loss.

Lawyers do a lot of work on computers, so adopting modern technology practices only makes sense. Time-tracking software can run in the background to properly track time and improve law firm processes.

Here are the 6 advantages of digital time tracking for lawyers.

1. Tracking Potential Lost Revenue

Automated timekeeping tools take a lot of the error, stress, and time out of the tracking process. These solutions can track both billable and non-billable hours, so lawyers can see where they’re losing valuable time on unrelated tasks that impede the workflow.

Data is important for improving law firms as a business. For example, a lawyer charging $200 an hour may not bill for an hour of overtime, which is $200 a day lost. Assuming that happens at least once a week, that’s a potential loss of over $10,000 a year! Time tracking can ensure that this time is billed, and paid for, for more accurate revenue.

2. Revealing Inefficiencies

Timekeeping software not only tracks the billable time that isn’t billed, but it reveals what lawyers spend their time doing. Many law firms have lawyers spending time on non-legal business activities, such as marketing, accounting, and administration.

If the digital time tracking shows a lot of time spent on non-billable activities, leading to a loss of revenue, a law firm can outsource those activities. For example, law firms can hire an accountant, administrative assistant, or marketing professional for in-house work, or delegate tasks to contract workers during busy periods.

Many tasks can be automated with technology solutions as well, such as electronic payment processing software for time and billing and bookkeeping services to generate invoices. Ideally, law firms will choose software specifically designed for legal professionals to maintain compliance with rules of professional conduct.

3. Improved Billing Accuracy

Lawyers at both boutique and large law firms typically bill by the hour, but the time spent on client cases doesn’t always consider face-to-face meetings with defined timeframes or scheduled phone calls that run over.

Proper time tracking and billing must include the time spent on tasks like:

• Telephone calls
• Case research
• Emails
• Lead follow up
• Witness interviews
• Trial preparation
• Travel to and from meetings

Without clear and organized time tracking, lawyers may struggle to create accurate timesheets. This not only ensures that lawyers are billing for all their time but offers a detailed invoice for transparency and trust with the client.

4. Mobile Access

Many legal software solutions include mobile apps, which are perfect for on-the-go lawyers. Depending on the nature of a case, a lawyer may be running between the courtroom, the law office, lunch meetings, or the library for research.

On-the-go lawyers struggle more with timekeeping, but legal software solutions offer mobile apps to help with tracking time outside of the firm. Whether in the office or in the field, timekeeping apps track hours accurately and update in real-time in a secure, centralized cloud database.

5. Customizable Reporting

Different law firms face different challenges with efficiency and accuracy, so a one-size-fits-all approach may not work. Time-tracking solutions offer customizable reports to pull data and view it in simple visualizations for managers and team members to interpret.

Managers can view just about any aspect of the firm’s performance, including work-in-progress, outstanding balances, time spent with a specific client, all calculated by user, client, or project.

6. Time-Saving Features 

Legal timekeeping software offers many features to improve efficiency and workflow, such as:

Automated timers that allow users to start and stop time, rather than tracking it manually. Meetings run over and people forget to stop the clock, so having an automated system ensures that the tracking is as accurate as possible. Some systems also allow tracking multiple tasks, so users can easily stop tracking time for one task and toggle to another quickly and easily.

Voice commands that allow users to stop or start timers without needing to be near the computer. Most people speak faster than they type, so having voice commands captures time quickly and easily. Entries can be edited and synced to client management systems as well.

Built-in payment processing is included with Bill4TIme, while many software systems use integrations or costly third parties. If a law firm devotes a lot of time to billing and processing without a dedicated accounting process, having these features makes the processes smoother and more efficient.

Customization features that allow lawyers to create detailed, custom reports and invoices for consistency and continuity. Custom reports offer virtually limitless options for time and billing data, all with custom filters and optional views to get a holistic picture of the firm’s operations.

Make the Switch to Digital Time Tracking

Though many law firms prefer traditional, manual methods of timekeeping, digital time tracking for lawyers offers limitless options for efficiency and accuracy. Implementing timekeeping solutions like Bill4Time, helps law firms identify inefficiencies, choose tasks to outsource, track individual lawyers’ time, and bill clients accurately for better revenue and success.Bill4Time offers legal technology solutions for legal professionals to track time, manage clients, track expenses, and more. Request a demo today to see how digital timekeeping solutions can help!