Paralegal Timesheet Template

What is a paralegal timesheet template?

In today’s law firms, a paralegal timesheet template is the day-to-day tool that helps record time spent on client matters and internal tasks. It provides a structured format so attorneys can bill accurately, analyze workload, and stay compliant with firm policies. By anchoring entries in a consistent template, work performed is tied directly to billable hours and reported outcomes.

Definition and purpose

A paralegal timesheet template is a pre-built layout used to log dates, matters, tasks, and hours in a consistent way.

It is typically shared across the firm so paralegals and legal assistants record time in the same format, which makes attorney review and invoicing easier. The core purpose is to capture billable and non‑billable time accurately for client billing, internal reporting, and performance tracking. In daily practice, paralegals enter time for tasks like document drafting, research, and file management, aligning every entry with an assigned matter number and a task code. As of 2025, most firms enforce this standard to improve audit trails and client transparency.

How a paralegal timesheet template supports attorney billing

Entries flow into attorney timesheets and client invoices, so the data must be precise and well organized.

Attorneys rely on clear, well‑structured paralegal timesheets to justify charges, build invoice narratives, and validate the value delivered to clients. The entries should align with billing guidelines and help resolve fee disputes, showing detailed task descriptions, start/stop times, and matter information. As firms adopt integrated timekeeping systems in 2025, tools like Clio, TimeSolv, and Bill4Time automatically transfer paralegal entries to the attorney’s view, reducing errors and speeding up invoicing.

Key components to include

A paralegal timesheet template should include the core fields listed below. Each field supports accurate routing, billing, and reporting, so teams can audit and analyze workload with confidence.

• Basic info: paralegal name, period covered — matters the sheet spans help with payroll and review cycles.
• Client/matter data: client name, matter number, practice area — matter numbers route entries to the correct client file and rate card.
• Time entry details: date, start time, end time, total hours, billable vs non-billable flag — these drive precise invoicing and utilization metrics.
• Work description: task category, detailed description — narratives support client understanding and potential audits.
• Financials: hourly rate, amount, internal code / phase — automatic calculations keep invoices accurate and consistent.
• Approval/workflow: supervisor approval, status, notes — ensures entries are reviewed and compliant with policy.

Paralegal timesheet template vs. generic time sheet

A paralegal‑specific template adds the level of detail needed for legal work, beyond a basic clock‑in/clock‑out record.

Generic templates may only track start/end times and total hours for payroll, but a legal time sheet requires per‑matter breakdowns, task codes, billable classifications, and narrative descriptions that can stand up to client review or court scrutiny. By using a tailored format, firms ensure entries align with client expectations, billing guidelines, and compliance standards, reducing disputes and improving transparency for both clients and partners. In 2025, many firms continue to move away from generic templates in favor of mechanisms that support detailed, auditable time entries tied to specific matters and phases of work.

Types of paralegal timesheet templates by period

Paralegal timesheets can be organized around different time periods to align with how firms review and approve hours. In 2025, many legal teams still favor weekly, biweekly, or monthly formats, each with its own benefits for entry, review, and payroll. This guide explains how to structure a Paralegal Timesheet Template by period, what to adjust in each layout (columns, totals, approvals), and how to connect them to common attorney timesheet cycles and payroll schedules. The goal is to make timekeeping clear, verifiable, and easy to integrate with your firm’s billing and payroll workflows.

Daily paralegal time entry layout

A daily paralegal time entry layout assigns time on a per-day basis, reflecting how work actually happens in most law offices.

With this layout, each day gets its own section or page in the template. Typical fields include a date header, a chronological list of tasks, start and end times, and a running daily total. Time is recorded in small increments, such as 0.1 or 0.25 hours, to capture precise effort. Using a daily format helps reduce reconstruction errors and gives attorneys a granular view of what was done each day. For digital teams, you can build this in Excel or Google Sheets, or feed the data from time-tracking tools like Toggl Track or TimeSolv into a Paralegal Timesheet Template that exports to your billing system.

To keep the data audit-ready, include fields for matter or case, client, task description, start time, end time, and the running daily total. Some firms push daily entries directly from Clio, TimeSolv, or Harvest, which minimizes retyping and keeps time consistent across the matter management system. The daily layout is especially useful for matters with many small tasks or when attorneys require detailed billable hours records for client review.

Weekly paralegal timesheet template structure

For weekly templates, you organize hours into a single sheet that covers the workweek, making review efficient for both paralegal and attorney teams.

Structure options include a sheet per week with columns for each day or a grid where rows are matters and columns are days. Include weekly totals by client and by day, and finish with a signature or approval line for the supervising attorney. This setup fits firms that review hours every Friday to prepare pre-bills or check utilization. In practice, many teams choose a Monday–Sunday week or Sunday–Saturday week to align with payroll runs, and they tailor the column headers to match how their attorneys like to see data.

Common fields in weekly templates include date, matter/case, client, description, hours per day, daily totals, and a weekly total by matter. Some templates also add a separate approval row or a digital signature field to speed up sign-off. When paired with tools like Clio, Bill4Time, or TimeSolv, the weekly template can auto-sum hours and export to the firm’s billing system, making it easier to convert hours into invoices.

Bi-weekly timesheet template for paralegals

The bi-weekly template matches common payroll periods and helps balance detail with readability over two weeks.

Layout covers two consecutive weeks with a clear separation between Week 1 and Week 2, plus a cumulative total at the end. Subtotal hours per week and per matter so attorneys can trace work in manageable chunks instead of scanning the entire two-week block. This approach keeps detail intact while giving a high-level view for payroll and utilization reporting. For teams using cloud sheets, you can place Week 1 on the left and Week 2 on the right, with a two-week total column at the bottom.

Ensure the template supports weekly subtotals and cross-week audit trails. Include fields for date, matter, client, description, hours, and a running weekly total. By connecting these entries to timekeeping apps like Toggl Track, Harvest, or TimeSolv and to the firm’s payroll system, you preserve traceability while speeding up approvals. Many firms require week-two totals to be reviewed and signed before the biweekly payroll cut, so plan for sign-off windows two business days before payday.

Monthly paralegal timesheet summary

The monthly paralegal timesheet summary is designed for high-level reporting and invoicing cycles, consolidating daily entries into a month-long view.

Time should be entered daily, but the monthly view aggregates all entries for the period. Include sections for total billable hours by client, total non-billable hours, and utilization percentages. A typical utilization metric is billable hours divided by total hours, expressed as a percentage. This format is especially useful when aligning paralegal and attorney timesheets to a monthly attorney billable hours template used by partners and finance teams, and it pairs well with monthly invoicing cycles through tools like Excel dashboards or Google Data Studio—and with practice-management suites such as Clio or MyCase.

Monthly summaries feed finance reviews and partner reports, and they can sit alongside a more detailed weekly or daily record. Use a summarized monthly sheet as the top line for invoices, while attaching detailed pages for each matter in an appendix. When the data is in a cloud template, you can export totals to the firm’s billing system and mirror the partner template used for monthly billable hours. This approach supports consistency across departments and improves visibility into utilization trends.

What to include in a paralegal timesheet template

A well‑crafted Paralegal Timesheet Template isn't just a data entry form—it’s a blueprint for accurate billing, clear client communication, and strong internal reporting. This section breaks down the exact data points, columns, and sections that make the template genuinely useful for attorney review and management in 2025. Use these guidelines to configure the in‑app template so time entries flow smoothly from capture to invoice.

Client and matter information

Capture essential client and matter fields to ensure entries land in the right ledger and invoice.

The template should collect client name, matter name, matter number, billing contact, and the practice area or department. These fields anchor each time entry to the correct file and billing pathway, reducing misrouted hours and disputes. When you standardize these fields, you also simplify the lookup process for attorneys reviewing charges and for clients reviewing invoices.

Standardizing these fields with firm‑wide codes makes data reconciliation possible with your accounting and case‑management systems. For example, use a client code like CL‑001 and a matter code like MAT‑2025‑001 so entries route to the right attorney and fee arrangement. A consistent scheme also speeds client transparency when generating invoices and supports robust internal reporting, such as work‑in‑progress and aging analyses.

Time entry fields and increments

Time tracking is built on a consistent set of fields and increments to support accurate billing.

The template should include date, start time, end time (optional if total hours are entered directly), total hours, and time increment (for example 0.1, 0.25, or 0.5 hours). These increments align with common legal billing practices and drive precise revenue recognition. Using fixed increments helps prevent under‑ or over‑billing and makes reconciliation with the firm’s invoicing system straightforward.

Most firms require specific increments to standardize how time is recorded, and they enforce minimum billing units. For example, a 12‑minute task would round to 0.1 hours (6 minutes) or 0.25 hours (15 minutes) depending on policy. Short tasks like quick emails or brief calls should still be logged in the same increment, but you can encourage batching such tasks into daily entries when appropriate to maintain invoice clarity.

Billable, non‑billable, and internal codes

Distinguishing work types is essential for visibility into how paralegal time is spent.

The template should clearly distinguish billable client work from non‑billable activities (training, marketing, firm administration). Include a billable/non‑billable checkbox or flag, an internal code for overhead tasks, and optional phase or task codes aligned with common legal billing standards. For example, you might use codes like B for billable, N for non‑billable, and specific phase codes such as INTake, RESEARCH, or DRAFT for task segmentation. This structure helps attorneys see where time goes and supports accurate utilization and variance reporting.

In addition, linking to internal phase or task codes enables managers to run detailed reports on how paralegals contribute to different stages of a matter. Modern templates in 2025 often pull these codes from the firm’s matter management system, ensuring consistency across invoices, payroll, and management dashboards.

Task categories and detailed descriptions

Clear task categories paired with precise narratives improve invoice quality and review speed.

Explain the need for both a task category (e.g., legal research, drafting pleadings, discovery, client communication, filing, case management) and a free‑text description field. Avoid vague entries like “email” or “work on case.” Instead, capture who did the work, what was done, and why, such as “Drafted first draft of interrogatories for Smith v. Jones” or “Research on state statute of limitations for personal injury claim.” These details give attorneys the context they need to review charges and help support client narratives on invoices.

When descriptions are specific, the client invoice reads more professionally, and accountants can more easily translate the notes into line items. The free‑text field also backs internal reviews by showing the exact activities behind hours, which reduces disputes and supports better budgeting and forecasting for future matters.

Rates, amounts, and totals

Financial fields tie time to dollars and drive the invoicing flow.

Outline the hourly rate for the paralegal, any matter‑specific rate overrides, calculated amount per entry (hours × rate), daily subtotal, period subtotal, and grand total. A well‑designed template automatically calculates these amounts and highlights discrepancies (for instance, if time is entered without a rate). This automation streamlines the handoff to invoicing systems and reduces errors in client bills.

Connect these numbers to downstream processes by ensuring the template exports clean totals that can be compared against attorney billable hours in the same period. For example, a daily subtotal of 3.25 hours at $42/hour equals $136.50 for that entry, which the system should automatically roll into a period subtotal and a grand total for the invoice run.

Approvals and sign‑off section

An approval step completes the timesheet before invoicing or payroll processing.

Describe an approval section at the bottom or end of the timesheet that includes fields for the paralegal’s signature or confirmation, supervising attorney approval, and the date approved. This step creates an audit trail and is often required before finance generates invoices or processes payroll. In a digital tool, this corresponds to status changes or e‑approvals rather than physical signatures, making the process faster and easier to audit.

Digital approvals also improve accountability by capturing timestamps and user IDs, which helps during reviews, audits, and year‑end financial consolidation. When implemented well, the approvals section reduces bottlenecks and ensures timely invoice delivery and timely payroll processing.

How to customize a paralegal timesheet template

Customizing a paralegal timesheet template turns a generic layout into a firm‑specific timekeeping system. In 2025, law firms and in‑house legal teams expect templates that mirror billing cycles, matter codes, and approval rules. Setting this up once creates a reusable foundation that speeds invoicing, reduces disputes, and keeps hours aligned with attorney timesheets.

To align time periods with firm billing cycles

Choose the time frame that matches how the firm bills and reviews hours. If partners review weekly on Fridays, a weekly paralegal timesheet makes sense; if reviews run on a bi‑weekly cycle, use bi‑weekly periods. Align the periods so attorney billable hours templates follow the same rhythm, making partner review consistent across roles. Name each template version clearly, for example “Paralegal – Weekly – Litigation” or “Paralegal – Biweekly – Corporate,” so it’s easy to reuse.

In practice, add fields for Period Type (Daily, Weekly, Biweekly, Monthly), Period Start, Period End, and a Version Name to your master template. Create copies for each period version and store them in a shared drive or your time‑tracking tool. Keep formulas and layouts identical across versions to avoid accidental edits; this makes the process scalable as you add matters. Finally, ensure the rhythm matches the attorney timesheet templates to enable a smooth, same‑rhythm review by partners and managers.

To configure client and matter codes

Set up standardized client and matter codes so paralegals don’t type names each time. Pre‑load active matters or link to an internal list, and emphasize consistency: mis‑typed codes lead to mis‑billed time. Mirror the codes used on attorneys’ timesheets to prevent mismatches during invoicing, client reporting, and audits. When codes are stable, partners can review totals with confidence, knowing the data maps directly to the correct matter.

Build a codes table (Code, Client, Matter, Status, Owner) and use data validation in the timesheet to require a valid code. Use lookup formulas (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH) to auto‑fill client and matter names from the code, so staff never retype full names. Keep the codes in a dedicated sheet named “Codes” to streamline updates and avoid layout changes in the main timesheet. Regularly audit codes against attorney lists to catch mismatches early.

To set paralegal and attorney rates

Define standard hourly rates by role (e.g., senior paralegal, junior paralegal, associate attorney) and by practice area if needed. Use realistic ranges based on 2025 market data, such as senior paralegals around $95–$120/hr and associate attorneys in the $210–$320/hr range, then tailor to your region and firm policy. Ensure the template pulls the correct rate automatically when a user selects their name or role, and consider including rate tables or hidden reference sections so finance can adjust rates quickly without redesigning the timesheet.

Place the rate table on a separate sheet (e.g., “Rates”) and reference it with a lookup in the main timesheet. This makes rate updates a one‑time admin task that doesn’t require changing formulas or layouts. If the firm uses multiple practice areas, add an optional Practice Area column and a corresponding rate entry so the system calculates each line item accurately. By separating rates from the layout, you keep the template future‑proof and easy to maintain.

To define task categories and codes

Create a concise set of standardized task categories or codes tailored to the firm’s work, such as research, drafting, court filings, discovery, client meetings, and case administration. Aim for 8–12 categories so paralegals can select quickly while still capturing meaningful data for reporting. This categorization supports later analysis of where billable hours are spent across matters and teams, helping you spot efficiency gaps and align resources.

Develop a codes table with Code and Description, then apply data validation so only approved categories can be chosen in the timesheet. Keep descriptions clear and consistent with the firm’s billing language to prevent confusion during invoicing. By tying task codes to reporting, you’ll gain actionable insights into time allocation and be able to report by matter, attorney, or team with confidence.

To add fields for compliance and guidelines

Include additional fields that some firms require, such as Billing Guideline References, Phase Codes for alternative fee arrangements, or Internal Project Codes for corporate departments. Customizing these fields at the template level ensures every time entry can be checked against client or company rules before it reaches invoicing. This upfront alignment reduces back‑and‑forth during billing cycles and supports smoother audits in 2025 and beyond.

Implement these fields with drop‑downs and brief reference notes, linking to policy documents or internal codes. For example, a BillingGuideline field can contain a short reference like BG‑2025‑IP, while a PhaseCode field maps to AFAs such as Fixed Fee or Hybrid. Make sure there’s a simple way for finance to verify compliance at entry time, and consider a lightweight automated check that flags entries missing a guideline or phase code. This approach keeps invoicing clean and compliant while preserving user efficiency.

Benefits and drawbacks of paralegal timesheet templates

Paralegal timesheet templates are a common tool in law firms, providing structure for recording hours and standardizing billing. A balanced view shows they help with consistency and visibility, but when managed manually they can introduce miscalculations and delays. By comparing typical workflows for paralegals and attorneys, we can see the value of templates alongside the risks, and why many firms move toward integrated time-tracking tools to reduce friction without naming specific products.

How templates validate paralegal work

Templates validate paralegal work by clearly documenting the scope and intensity of tasks across matters, making contributions visible to supervising attorneys and clients. When hours are organized by matter, task type, and date, it’s easier to show how much time was spent on research, drafting, and coordination, rather than relying on vague notes.

With a consistent template, a paralegal can demonstrate workload and impact during performance reviews, promotions, and workload planning. For example, a monthly log might show 12 hours of legal research, 9 hours of drafting, and 6 hours of client communications on a complex matter, helping managers allocate support where it’s most needed and recognizing consistent contributions across multiple cases.

How templates keep clients informed

Structured, itemized time entries translate into clear invoice line items and billing statements. Clients can see exactly what was done, by whom, and how long it took, which builds trust and reduces billing disputes. When time is organized by task and person, invoices become more transparent, and clients appreciate seeing the path from research to filing laid out in plain language.

For attorneys, clean paralegal timesheets help justify their own billable hours and fees, since the work of paralegals directly feeds the attorney’s deliverables. A well-structured template makes it easier to show how a team’s efforts add up to the final result, which reinforces confidence in the overall billing narrative and strengthens client relationships over the course of a matter.

Risks of manual calculations and errors

Manual templates and static spreadsheets can introduce errors that ripple through invoices. Common problems include mis-typed hours, incorrect formulas, missing entries, and inconsistent rate application. For instance, a decimal error can turn a 2.75-hour entry into 27.5 hours, which can nearly double an invoice, while a missing “billable” flag might cause hours to be skipped entirely and go unbilled.

These mistakes can cascade into incorrect invoices and delayed payments, as clients request clarifications and corrections. Inconsistent rate application across matters can also lead to disputes over why some tasks are billed at one rate and others at a different rate, eroding trust and introducing administrative back-and-forth that slows cash flow.

Impact on payment timing and cash flow

Incomplete or inaccurate timesheets cause delays: attorneys spend more time reviewing and correcting entries, finance teams push back on unclear descriptions, and clients question invoices. In practice, this back-and-forth can add hours of work per matter and push the payment timeline out by days or even weeks, depending on how quickly issues are resolved.

Meanwhile, inconsistent tracking can lead to under-billing, which hurts profitability, or over-billing, which damages client relationships and increases the risk of disputes. The result is a multi-party bottleneck where revenue recognition and cash flow are delayed while corrections are made, affecting how soon paralegals and firms get paid.

Why manual templates can be time consuming

Point out that while a basic template is inexpensive, the hidden cost is the time spent filling it out, updating formulas, re-entering data into other systems, and chasing approvals. For example, a paralegal might spend 5-15 minutes on each entry, and across 20 entries per matter that adds up to 1.5–5 hours of admin time per matter. When data must be copied from an attorney timesheet to a billing system, the duplication creates additional delays and room for human error.

In contrast, an integrated approach where data is entered once and automatically flows into billing reduces duplication and speeds up approvals. This setup not only saves time today but also lays a foundation for automation in 2025, allowing teams to maintain accuracy while freeing up hours for substantive work rather than admin chores. The shift toward integrated time-tracking supports smoother workflows for both paralegals and attorneys, and it helps maintain steady cash flow over the life of a matter.

Tips to maintain accurate paralegal time tracking

Accurate time tracking relies on daily habits and using a reliable Paralegal Timesheet Template. This guide offers practical, behavior‑focused guidance for paralegals and legal assistants to log time consistently, coordinate with supervising attorneys, and ensure entries flow cleanly into attorney time sheets and invoices. By building simple, repeatable routines, you can reduce billing disputes and speed up invoicing for every client.

To record time as you work

Log time in real time or immediately after each task to keep data fresh.

Keep the Paralegal Timesheet Template open on your computer or use a built‑in timer in tools like Toggl Track, Harvest, or Clio. When you start a task, start the timer and attach the entry to the correct client and matter code. Stop the timer when the task ends, then add a brief, task‑specific label such as "draft motion," "research," or "client email." If you can’t use a timer, make a quick note right after finishing a task and log it into the template within 15 minutes. This habit reduces the chance you’ll forget details as the day ends.

Relying on memory later can lead to under‑reported hours and fuzzy descriptions. Industry practice shows time logged from memory can drop by roughly 10–25% compared with real‑time entries, and crucial details often get left out. To counter this, keep the timesheet visible during the day, set short post‑task notes, and rely on built‑in timers that feed entries into the Paralegal Timesheet Template so data flows cleanly into attorney time sheets and invoices.

To avoid block billing

Block billing is when you group multiple tasks into a single time entry.

Block billing combines several tasks or even an entire day into one line, which makes it hard to see what was actually done and for how long. Clients and many courts prefer itemized invoices that show separate lines for drafting, research, and communications. To improve transparency, break work into discrete entries with separate descriptions and durations. Use the Paralegal Timesheet Template’s line‑by‑line structure to separate tasks like drafting, research, and client outreach, which makes attorney review and client approval much smoother.

For example, instead of one line for "Draft and research," record "Draft motion — 1h" and "Research — 45m." If a single task spans several activities, split it into the smallest sensible units (drafting 30 minutes, review and edits 20 minutes, client email 10 minutes). This granular approach helps attorneys see where time was spent and speeds up the bill‑approval process, which is especially valuable in flat‑fee or contingency matters.

To write clear, detailed descriptions

Clear descriptions explain who, what, and why.

Weak descriptions like "Research" fail to show who requested it or why it mattered. Strong descriptions specify the client, the matter, and what was done—for example, "Research for Client A re: misclassification; reviewed 3 cases (Case X, Case Y, Case Z) and 2 statutes (Statute A, Statute B); memo drafted for opposing brief, 2 pages." This level of detail helps attorneys track work accurately and reduces back‑and‑forth. When describing tasks, also note outcomes or next steps, such as "memo circulated for partner review" or "facts verified with client," to provide context for billing decisions.

Clear descriptions also support fee defense if fees are ever challenged. They show the thought process behind each entry and justify time spent. As a result, invoices are easier to defend, and disputes shrink from the start because the client and attorney can see exactly what work was performed and why it was necessary.

To coordinate with supervising attorneys

Encourage regular check‑ins between paralegals and attorneys to align on task categorization and billable activities.

Set a standing 15‑minute weekly or biweekly check‑in to align on how to categorize tasks, which activities are billable for specific clients, and how to reflect flat‑fee or contingency matters. Use shared matter codes and a common vocabulary in the Paralegal Timesheet Template so everyone sees the same definitions. These meetings help prevent rework later and ensure hours can be combined into coherent invoices. By agreeing upfront on what constitutes billable work, you can keep time capture clean and consistent across the team.

During these check‑ins, discuss whether particular activities are billable for certain matters and how to reflect any non‑billable administrative tasks. Documenting these decisions in a brief reference guide tied to the template helps new team members ramp up quickly and keeps your data aligned with attorney expectations and client agreements.

To review and reconcile timesheets regularly

Set aside time at the end of each day or week to review entries for completeness, correct matter codes, and obvious errors.

Establish a routine for daily or weekly reconciliation: skim for missing rates, incorrect matter codes, or overlapping times. Attorneys or managers should periodically compare paralegal logs with case milestones to ensure all significant work has been captured before the billing cycle closes. In 2025, many law practices use practice management tools like Clio or TimeSolv that offer automated checks and reports to help with this process, ensuring consistency between paralegal entries and attorney time sheets. A structured review window reduces last‑minute edits and speeds up accurate invoicing for clients.

How Bonsai helps manage paralegal timesheet templates

Paralegal timesheets are the backbone of transparent billing, but static documents fall short as firms grow. Bonsai acts as the natural next step beyond static templates by mirroring familiar paralegal timesheet templates while adding automation, centralization, and reporting. With Bonsai, paralegals, attorneys, and firm owners gain faster setup, consistent data entry, easier reviews, and a seamless flow from tracked time to invoices and reports. This approach keeps your workflow familiar while unlocking modern efficiencies.

To create reusable paralegal timesheet templates

You can configure a paralegal timesheet layout once in Bonsai and save it as a reusable template.

In Bonsai, you define fields such as Client, Matter, Task Categories, Billable flags, and Standard Rates. You can assign a per‑role rate (for example, Paralegal vs Attorney) and apply these rates across a matter, then require certain fields and provide drop‑downs to keep data consistent. For instance, a template might include Client: "Acme Corp," Matter: "Employment Litigation - 2025," Task Categories: Research, Drafting, Review, Filing. The billable flag helps ensure only relevant tasks appear on invoices, while non‑billable time remains accessible for internal reporting. This structured setup makes data entry predictable and reduces back‑end corrections later.

Once saved, every new matter or team member can start from this standardized structure, which keeps entries consistent across the firm and reduces onboarding time for new paralegals or legal assistants. If a new team member joins, they can copy the template, fill in the client and matter, and immediately begin entering time without guessing which fields are required. In short, the reusable paralegal timesheet template accelerates training and keeps your firm aligned from day one.

To track and manage attorney and paralegal hours in one place

Bonsai centralizes time tracking for both paralegals and attorneys so that all billable and non‑billable hours live in a single system.

You can view hours by client or matter in unified dashboards, filter by role, and see who is working on what in real time. Role‑based rates let you price entries accurately, and the system supports cross‑checking paralegal timesheets with attorney timesheets before billing to prevent gaps or duplicate charges. Managers gain quick visibility into who is working on which case and how much time has been spent on each matter, which streamlines reviews and approvals. The centralized data also feeds into reports and invoices, making the leap from time tracking to billing smoother and more reliable.

With this centralized approach, you can generate client‑ or matter‑level views that combine hours from all roles, compare allocated time across tasks, and spot inconsistencies early. This not only improves accuracy but also strengthens audits and client communications, since you can pull a single, consistent time history for any matter. In practice, teams save time during reviews and invoicing because all time data sits in one place, ready for approval and billing.

To automate calculations, approvals, and invoicing

Bonsai automates the math and workflows behind timesheets, approvals, and invoicing, so you spend less time on counting and more on legal work.

The key automations include the following:

• Auto‑calculating line item amounts from hours and rates, so each entry totals correctly without manual math.
• Rolling up daily, weekly, and monthly totals to provide clear summaries for managers and clients.
• Flagging missing required fields before submission to prevent incomplete timesheets from moving forward.
• Routing timesheets for attorney or manager approval, so the right people review and sign off before invoices are created.
• Generating invoices directly from approved time entries, pulling in client, matter, and line‑item details automatically.

These automations cut the time spent on billing compared with traditional Excel templates and reduce common errors like mismatched hours or incorrect rates. By moving from manual entry to an integrated, automated workflow, firms can close matters faster and deliver accurate bills with confidence.