Best Attorney Time Tracking Software Solutions

You may have gotten into law to fill your days with fulfilling and intriguing work. What you might not have considered is how much time you’d spend on billable hour tracking and invoicing.

To get around these inefficiencies, many firms use time tracking tools to streamline time capture.

Here’s a look at time tracking software solutions and tips for choosing the best fit for your business.

What Is Time Tracking Software for Lawyers?

Time tracking software for lawyers helps legal professionals accurately track, record, and categorize the time they spend on client work to ensure they’re fairly compensated. This software typically works manually or passively.

• Manual law firm time tracking software allows lawyers to actively start and stop timers when they begin a task or manually enter their time after the fact.
• Passive law firm time tracking software automatically captures and documents time spent on various tasks without user input.

What Features Are Essential for Attorney Time Tracking Software?

At a minimum, effective attorney time tracking software should measure the minutes spent on a task, enable manual adjustments, and offer expense and budget tracking capabilities. For more drastic workflow improvements, look for a tool that incorporates automations to help you cut back on manual labor.

Here’s a closer look at the features and capabilities you should look for as you start vetting legal tech providers offering law firm timekeeping software.

Minutes Capturing

Minutes capturing refers to the precise recording of time spent on client-related tasks. Manual timekeeping software typically relies on lawyers starting and stopping timers. Passive time tracking apps can automate this process by monitoring activities to record minutes without user input.

Time Adjustment

It’s your responsibility to confirm numbers are accurate before invoicing the client. Time tracking software can make it easy for you to review and edit logged time entries for accuracy.

Expense Tracking

Expense tracking capabilities allow you to see costs associated with client matters at a glance. This feature can show you the total spent on expenses like filing fees and expert witnesses.

Budget Tracking

As time and expenses are logged and assigned to a client, the software monitors entries in real time against the set budget, alerting the firm if spending approaches or exceeds the predefined limits.

Automation

Ideal time tracking software can automate routine tasks like capturing billable time and generating invoices, minimizing the risk of forgotten billable time.

Key Performance Indicator Reporting

Key performance indicators (KPIs) gauge how individual lawyers and the firm are progressing toward their goals. This knowledge empowers you to make data-driven decisions that can improve profitability and client satisfaction.

What Should Different Firm Sizes Consider?

Time tracking software for attorneys will have different use cases depending on a firm’s size.

Solo and Small Law Firms

Solo and small law firms often struggle with billing issues, such as clients not paying and inaccurate invoicing. Software that automates time tracking can make it easier for clients to submit payments and ensure all invoices are correct.

Key features to look for include:

• Affordable monthly charges
• A simple interface
• Automation to save time

Mid-Sized Law Firms

Mid-size firms may need many software tools for different aspects of practice and case management. Multiple lawyers will likely also need access to the time tracking software to ensure consistency with client billing.

Look for:

• Software that’s affordable for multiple users
• Full integration with existing systems
• Customizable reports

Large Law Firms

Large law firms have unique needs for time tracking software, including affordable access for a large number of users, effective expense tracking, and integration with existing systems.

Look for:

• Enterprise solutions customized to the firm’s needs
• Scalability as the firm expands operations
• Detailed reporting to assess firm KPIs

How to Choose the Right Law Firm Time Tracking Software

To make the best decision for your practice, be sure to:

1. Review Your Current Process

Assess current time tracking procedures and diagnose its weaknesses. With this information, you can settle on software that best compensates for these issues.

2. Vet Reporting Capabilities

Reporting can help you keep on top of accounts receivable, team productivity, and your financial health. Reporting can also help you assess how new strategies work out over time.

3. Evaluate Security Features

Select a tool that uses strong encryption to protect data in storage and during transmission. You can also set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to ensure only authorized personnel can access and modify time entries.

4. Ask About Technical Support

Before committing to a provider, confirm that they have sufficient technical support and acceptable resolution times to avoid business interruption.

LawPay: The Best Time Tracking Software for Lawyers

LawPay offers time tracking software that firms of all sizes can use. With full integration with existing case management tools, affordable monthly prices, and support available when you need it, you can more efficiently track your time and get paid for every hour you work. Schedule a demo today.

 

Trent Fowler is a freelance writer for LawPay, the top-rated legal payment processing solution. He is based in Denver, Colorado.