Identify the fee arrangement
A US practice may use hourly, fixed, or other agreed fees. Start with the engagement terms and client billing requirements rather than assuming one approach fits every matter.
Have the responsible lawyer assess the applicable professional rules. ABA Formal Opinion 512 addresses fees in the context of the Model Rules, with jurisdiction-specific review still necessary.
Record the work actually performed
Describe the task, preparation, AI assistance, source verification, substantive review, and revisions. Keep records accurate and proportionate to the firm's process.
Do not substitute an estimate of how long manual work might have taken for time actually worked under an hourly arrangement.
Separate costs and services
Identify any tool charge the firm proposes to pass through and the contractual basis for doing so. Keep that question separate from charging for professional analysis.
A subscription expense does not automatically become an authorised client disbursement.
Test a reused workflow
Suppose a standard extraction workflow reduces preparation time on a later matter. Record the work actually required for that matter, including necessary verification.
Do not copy a prior time entry merely because the deliverable has the same name. Review the narrative for accuracy and client confidentiality.
Approve the invoice record
Have the billing lawyer check the fee basis, work description, expenses, and any required client communication. Preserve the relevant approval.
Judicio is not a timekeeping or billing system. Its workflow and collaboration features may support the work record, while invoicing remains in the firm's approved process.
Sources and next steps
This is an editorial workflow guide for legal professionals. The suggested checks are our practical recommendations, not a statement that a regulator requires a particular software workflow.
Explore Custom Workflows and Collaboration, or review Judicio's regional coverage and limitations. Check the underlying source and your organisation's approved process before relying on an output.