Have you used a time tracker that suggests your timesheet from your calendar and files?

Tools like Timely, Laurel or Clio's time capture record what you worked on in the background. At the end of the day you approve the suggested entries instead of reconstructing them.

How to automate it

How to automate “fill in timesheets and log billable hours”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

15 min

typically, every day

60%

of the time can be automated

Easy

to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Let a time tracker build your timesheet from your activity

Timely, Laurel, Clio's time capture, Harvest with calendar sync and Toggl record what you worked on, and AI suggests entries you approve instead of reconstructing your day.

Typically saves about 50% of the time30 min to set up

1Check what your firm already uses (Clio, Harvest, Productive, Karbon, Toggl) and whether it has automatic capture or calendar sync.
2Turn on capture for your calendar, email and documents.
3At the end of each day, review the suggested entries and approve them.
4Fix the client or matter code on anything it guessed wrong.

Tools: Timely · Laurel · Clio time capture · Harvest calendar integration · Toggl Track

Fix 2 of 2

Process fix

Log time at the end of each task, not at the end of the week

Reconstructing a week of time from memory is slow and loses billable hours. A timer or a two-minute end-of-day habit is faster and more accurate.

Typically saves about 35% of the time10 min to set up

1Start a timer in your time tool when you switch clients, or add a note after each task.
2Block five minutes at the end of each day to tidy entries.
3Keep a short list of standard descriptions for common work.
4Submit daily; managers stop chasing timesheets on Friday.

Tools: Harvest, Toggl, Clio or your time system

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you used a time tracker that suggests your timesheet from your calendar and files?: Tools like Timely, Laurel or Clio's time capture record what you worked on in the background. At the end of the day you approve the suggested entries instead of reconstructing them.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Agency Account / Client Manager Agency Project Manager Consultant Accountant / Bookkeeper (firm)Paralegal / Legal Assistant Attorney / Lawyer (firm)

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

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