For finance
For clients
Legal software for small firms
Billing and invoicing for small law firms
Generate accurate invoices, manage approvals digitally, and track billing from draft to payment in one connected system.
Billing cycle
From time capture to payment
Billing is where a law firm’s work becomes revenue. But for many small firms, the gap between time spent and time billed is significant. Because time capture is manual, approval processes are slow, and invoicing still involves too many steps.
This legal billing software for small law firms streamlines the entire billing cycle: time entries flow directly into billing, invoices are generated from actual work performed, and financial data is updated in real time, without manual reconciliation between systems.
Billing models
Flexible fee structures for legal billing software
The system supports multiple billing models to reflect how different firms and clients operate
Hourly billing based on time entries
Fixed fee billing
Retainer-based billing
Blended arrangements
Industry-standard LEDES billing format for clients with specific invoice format requirements
Workflow automation
Invoice generation and approval workflows
The Invoice Controlling add-on enables firms to automate the invoice creation and approval process:
- Back-office staff can mass-generate draft invoices across multiple matters in a single operation.
- Fee earners receive draft invoices for review and can approve, edit, or flag them from any device, including within Outlook.
- Approval rules can be configured to require partner sign-off above a certain value.
- Approved invoices are posted directly to the general ledger; no re-entry required.
- Invoice status and history is tracked against the matter record.
Centralized view
Billing workspace and process visibility
A dedicated billing workspace gives billing teams a centralized view of everything in the billing cycle. Rather than chasing updates across systems, billing staff have one place to see what is ready to invoice and what needs attention.
View pending time, unbilled disbursements, draft invoices, and posted invoices in one workspace.
Generate invoice drafts on defined cycles -- daily, weekly, or monthly.
Clear linkage between time entries, WIP, invoice drafts, and final posted invoices.
Prevents accidental reuse of time entries across multiple invoices.
Document composition
Billing templates and invoice composition
Invoices are generated using configurable billing and invoice templates designed for legal use. There is a clear separation between draft (pro-forma) invoices and final posted invoices, with the option to include line-level time entry detail where client or matter requirements call for it.
- Configurable invoice layouts generated using the Business Central reporting engine — audit-safe outputs.
- Support for multiple document outputs per invoice, for example a summary view and a detailed time breakdown.
- Invoice layouts can be adjusted using standard Business Central extension approaches, avoiding brittle customisation.
- LEDES and other client-specific formats can be configured where required.
Billing reconciliation
Write-ups, write-downs, and billing adjustments
When the invoiced amount differs from the value of underlying time entries, the system reconciles billed value back to the original time records and records the difference transparently.
Billed invoice value is automatically allocated back to underlying time entries.
Write-ups and write-downs are identified and recorded at the transaction level.
Partners and finance teams can see the surplus or deficit between expected and invoiced value for any matter.
Post-billing analysis supports partner review and helps identify margin erosion over time.
Complete solution
What the solution includes
Multiple time entry methods
Timers, manual entry, calendar capture, and AI suggestions — choose what works for each fee earner.
Bulk invoice generation
Create invoices across multiple matters in one operation. Review and approve in bulk.
Paperless approval workflow
Fee earners approve invoices via Outlook or any device. No printing, no chasing.
Flexible billing rates
Rates can be set at the fee earner, matter, client, or rate card level.
Disbursement tracking
Record and invoice expenses and disbursements against matters with receipt attachment.
WIP reporting
Real-time work-in-progress reporting shows unbilled time and expected billing by matter or fee earner.
LEDES billing format
Produce invoices in LEDES format for clients with mandated billing standards.
Write-up and write-down tracking
Transparent reconciliation of billed value against underlying time entries at transaction level.
Why it matters
Benefits for small law firms
Whether you are looking for billing software for small law firms or a more complete system that connects time capture, invoicing, and financial management, the goal is the same – less time on administration and more time on billable work.
Fewer hours lost between work performed and time recorded — increasing realizable revenue.
Invoices go out faster, which improves cash flow.
Approval processes happen digitally; there are no paper trails, no delays waiting for partners to be in the office.
Billing data flows directly into financial management; no double entry, no reconciliation headaches.
LEDES format support removes friction for firms billing larger corporate clients.
Write-up and write-down transparency improves partner understanding of margin and billing performance.Scales with your firm as matter volumes and complexity grow, without needing to switch systems.
FAQs
Can fee earners track time from their phone?
Yes. This legal billing software is cloud-based and accessible via browser on any device.
Does the system support LEDES billing format?
Yes. The solution supports LEDES and other industry-standard legal billing formats. Invoice layouts can be extended or adapted where clients impose specific billing requirements.
Can we restrict which fee earners can approve their own invoices?
Yes. Approval rules are configurable. You can require a second reviewer for any invoice over a set value, or mandate partner approval for all client-facing invoices.
What is the difference between a draft invoice and a posted invoice?
A draft (pro-forma) invoice is generated for review and approval before it is sent to the client. A posted invoice is the final financial record entered into the general ledger. Time entries are locked once included in a draft invoice.
Can law firms track unpaid invoices and collections?
Yes. Firms can track invoice status, manage accounts receivable, and monitor outstanding balances and payments.