Lawyers track billable hours by logging the time spent on a task and a description of that task in their time tracking software. Here’s a more precise breakdown of how attorney time tracking works using software:

1. Add a Time Entry: Adding a “Time Entry” is generally the starting point for recording any billable activity in time tracking software. You’ll add all the details needed for billable time within this Time Entry.
2. Select the Client and Matter: In the Time Entry, choose the client and the relevant matter to which the billable hours will apply. You can typically choose from a pre-populated list of clients and matters you entered into your time tracking software when your clients hired you.
3. Record Time: Enter the date and number of hours worked. Bill4Time offers two ways to do this: manual entry or a real-time timer. Use the timer for real-time tracking or enter hours manually after completion. The timer is handy when you face multiple interruptions throughout the day, as you can easily pause and restart the timer whenever needed. You can also have multiple timers up simultaneously if you need to switch quickly between tasks.
4. Describe the Task: Type in all the details of the task you performed. Whether it’s research, client meetings, or drafting documents, clear descriptions are key. Some software includes an auto-text function that converts shortcuts into full descriptions. For example, you could set an auto-text abbreviation of “TC” to spell out “Telephone conference with,” saving you valuable seconds every time you have a billable phone call.
5. Designate Billable vs. Non-Billable: If you want to track non-billable hours, you’ll need to designate whether the task is billable or not. This categorization aids in accurate client billing as well as personal time management.
6. Save the Entry: After filling out the necessary fields, save the entry to record your time.
7. Review and Generate an Invoice: At the end of a billing cycle, review your time entries. High-quality time tracking software for attorneys will allow you to generate an invoice automatically from these entries.
8. Send Invoice: Finalize and send the invoice to your client right from the software. Bill4Time allows you to send your invoices via email or the client portal. Alternatively, you can PDF any invoice and send it another way, or you can print it out on letterhead and send it in the mail.

Legal time tracking software helps lawyers record the time they spend on client work accurately and efficiently.

Bill4Time takes time tracking further by combining time and billing software, payments, expense tracking, and reporting, so every minute you capture turns into revenue. 

With Bill4Time you can:

• Run multiple timers as you switch between tasks.
• Assign time to specific matters, clients, or billing codes.
• Generate invoices automatically based on recorded time.

The best time tracking software for legal service makes it simple to log hours, generate invoices, and get paid faster. Bill4Time was founded in 2006, with input from actual law firms and consultants. With their partnership and input, we built a platform that helps law firms reach their business goals.

With Bill4Time, you can:

• Track time in real-time or in batches from your desktop, tablet, or phone.
• Bill the way your firm works with hourly, flat-fee, or contingency options.
• Get paid faster with built-in online payments and client portal access.
• Stay organized and on task with calendaring and task management features.

Book a demo and see what Bill4Time can do for you!

Lawyers rely on systems like Bill4Time’s attorney time tracking software to capture billable hours accurately and to stay compliant.

Bill4Time is designed for law firms of all sizes. It includes:

• One-click timers and batch entry.
• Matter-based billing and LEDES invoicing.
• Accounting and detailed reporting.
• Auto-generated, easy-to-read, custom-branded invoices

Sign up for a free trial and experience everything Bill4Time has to offer!

Yes, free legal time tracking software exists, but it often lacks key features such as trust accounting or legal billing compliance. Bill4Time offers a free trial that allows you to test all features without requiring a credit card. In your trial, you can track time, generate invoices, and explore all the features used by top law firms. Bill4Time gives you the chance to try a professional-grade solution risk-free.

Bill4Time offers flexible pricing plans starting at $27 per month, designed for firms of all sizes and practice areas. You can start with core time tracking and billing features or add advanced solutions like accounting, reporting, and online payments.

Time tracking is directly tied to profitability. With Bill4Time, every billable minute is captured, empowering our customers to bill more accurately and collect more revenue.

Bill4Time improves time tracking for billing by:

• Reducing missed or forgotten time entries.
• Automating billing and reducing write-offs.
• Providing real-time reports on productivity and utilization.

With better time tracking, firms see fewer lost hours and a healthier bottom line.

To improve lawyer time tracking and task management overall, you need a platform that encourages accuracy and minimizes manual work. With Bill4Time, you can eliminate missed hours, simplify billing, and free up time to focus on your clients. Here’s how:

• Offering real-time timers and reminders.
• Syncing with calendars to convert appointments into billable time.
• Automating reports to find unbilled work.

Revenue leakage happens when time isn’t tracked or billed correctly. Bill4Time’s time and billing software helps law firms stop revenue leakage at the source by closing the gaps that cause lost revenue, helping firms bill more consistently and collect more of what they earn.

Curb lost revenue with Bill4Time by:

• Capturing time instantly. Start timers from any device or log hours later.
• Identifying unbilled work with built-in reports and dashboards.
• Automating billing to ensure no recorded time is left unpaid.

Bill4Time’s legal time tracking software makes it easy for attorneys to track every billable minute—whether you’re in the office, at court, or on the go.

Bill4Time is the leader in legal time tracking software because it empowers you to:

Track time your way. Start and stop one-click timers, or add entries manually after meetings or calls. Each entry can be linked to a client, matter, or activity type for fast, organized billing. You can start and stop timers in real time or log entries manually, convert any event or task into time entries, assign time to matters or clients, and automatically generate accurate invoices.

See everything at a glance. Configure grids to view daily, weekly, or monthly activity in one place. Edit entries in bulk, filter by client, or review work in progress before billing.

Bill accurately, without the extra work. All recorded time flows directly into pre-bills and invoices. That means no double data entry and no lost hours.

Get started right away. From an adoption standpoint, Bill4Time integrates with various supporting software to ensure your ease of use.