Billing

Benchmarking Billable Hours: What Your Law Firm Can Learn from Industry Standards

Man and woman look over billable hours spreadsheet

Smokeball Legal Blog

Stay informed on all things legal with industry-leading insights, trends, and perspectives from Smokeball and industry experts.

Billing

Benchmarking Billable Hours: What Your Law Firm Can Learn from Industry Standards

Updated:

December 19, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Community

2024 in review: Celebrating a year of innovation and productivity

Updated:

December 19, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Product

Beyond passwords. How 2FA protects sensitive legal data

Updated:

December 18, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

How to Use Smokeball Partner Briefpoint in Your Law Firm

Updated:

December 16, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

AI Legal Assistant: Your New Productivity Partner

Updated:

December 13, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

How to Use Smokeball Partner Foundation AI in Your Law Firm

Updated:

December 11, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI the Taylor Swift of the Legal Industry?

Updated:

December 4, 2024

By:

Jordan Turk

MSBA members receive complimentary Smokeball software access to simplify billing and ensure trust accounting compliance.

Press Release

Smokeball Expands Product Partnerships with Latest Addition: Maryland State Bar Association

Updated:

December 3, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The Maryland State Bar Association

Artificial Intelligence

ABA Guidance on Ethical Use of AI for Lawyers

Updated:

November 20, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Press Release

Smokeball and Colorado Bar Association Partner to Improve Compliance and Simplify Client Service

Updated:

November 14, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The Colorado Bar Association

Artificial Intelligence

A Guide to Legal AI Tools

Updated:

November 14, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Billing

Mastering Law Firm Compensation: The Rule of Thirds and the Power of Legal Billing Software

Updated:

November 14, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Press Release

California Lawyers Association Partners with Smokeball to Provide Free Trust & Billing Software to Members

Updated:

November 12, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The California Lawyers Association

Billing

Rethinking Billing: The Law Firm’s Most Tedious Task Is Ripe for Disrupting

Updated:

November 7, 2024

By:

Stephen Embry

Press Release

Smokeball and Virginia State Bar Partner to Provide Free Trust & Billing Software to Virginia Lawyers

Updated:

October 22, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The Virginia State Bar

Automation

Legal Workflow Automation: An Ultimate Guide for Law Offices

Updated:

October 16, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Automation

Six Steps to Better Legal Document Management

Updated:

October 16, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Time Tracking

Streamline Success: Law Firm Bookkeeping Essentials

Updated:

October 15, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

AI Glossary of Legal Terms

Updated:

October 3, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Billing

Billable Hours: Understanding How Law Firms Bill

Updated:

October 2, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Press Release

Alabama Lawyers Gain Free Access to Trust and Billing Software through Smokeball & the Alabama State Bar Partnership

Updated:

September 23, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The Alabama State Bar Association

Automation

Best Legal Document Automation Software

Updated:

August 28, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Profitability

Strategies for Getting your Law Firm Paid Faster

Updated:

August 23, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Press Release

Smokeball Revolutionizes Legal Technology with New Suite of AI Solutions Including Archie

Updated:

July 31, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Legal Trends

Choosing the Best Law Practice Management Software

Updated:

July 19, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Artificial Intelligence

AI, Hallucinations, and the Practice of Law

Updated:

July 17, 2024

By:

Jordan Turk

Awards

Celebrating lawyers' life-changing work with Smokeball’s Beacon Award

Updated:

July 15, 2024

By:

Katharine Uhrich

The Nebraska State Bar Association and Smokeball Grant Nebraska Lawyers Free Access to Trust & Billing Software

Press Release

The Nebraska State Bar Association and Smokeball Partner to Grant All Members Free Access to Trust and Billing Software

Updated:

July 8, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The Nebraska State Bar Association

Awards

Meet the 2024 Beacon Award Finalists

Updated:

June 24, 2024

By:

Katharine Uhrich

Press Release

The State Bar of Texas and Smokeball Grant Texas Lawyers Free Access to Trust & Billing Software

Updated:

June 18, 2024

By:

Smokeball and The State Bar of Texas

Artificial Intelligence

Cutting Costs, Not Corners: How AI and Automation Transform Law Firm Back-Office Operations and Boost Profitability

Updated:

June 14, 2024

By:

Stephen Embry

Billing

Maximize Efficiency with Top Attorney Billing Software

Updated:

June 10, 2024

By:

Smokeball

An illustrated hand holds a flame-shaped statue

Awards

Apply for Smokeball’s community hero award

Updated:

May 13, 2024

By:

Katharine Uhrich

Meet Generative AI, Your New Summer Associate

Artificial Intelligence

AI in Law Firms: 4 Game Changing Examples to Boost Your Productivity Now

Updated:

May 3, 2024

By:

Jordan Turk

Artificial Intelligence

Meet Generative AI, Your New Summer Associate

Updated:

April 25, 2024

By:

Jordan Turk

Billing

What Is an Attorney Trust Account?

Updated:

March 6, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Billing

Law Firm Billing Guide: All You Need to Know

Updated:

March 6, 2024

By:

Smokeball

Time Tracking

The Gilded Cage That is Lawyer Billable Hours

Updated:

March 6, 2024

By:

Jordan Turk

Legal Trends

Transforming Legal Practice: Insights from 2024 Legal Conferences on Gen AI

Updated:

February 13, 2024

By:

Stephen Embry

Communications

Meeting Legal Client Expectations Should Be Easy, Right?

Updated:

February 8, 2024

By:

Stephen Embry

A smiling person wearing a collared shirt, tie, and glasses, works on a laptop at a coffee shop.

Artificial Intelligence

7 AI Apps for Your Legal Toolbox

Updated:

February 5, 2024

By:

Katharine Uhrich

Law Firm Growth and Challenges in 2024: A Global Survey, Pt I

Legal Trends

Law Firm Growth and Challenges in 2024: Marketing and Technology

Updated:

January 19, 2024

By:

Jennifer Anderson

Legal Trends

Law Firm Growth and Challenges in 2024: Adoption of Legal Software

Updated:

January 19, 2024

By:

Jennifer Anderson

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence in Law Firms: Embracing the Future with Caution

Updated:

December 19, 2023

By:

Jennifer Anderson

Two women interviewing a candidate for job role

The State of Law

Navigating New Frontiers: Hiring and Retention Strategies for Law Firms in a Changing World

Updated:

December 4, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Communications

The Power of Empathic Communication in Law

Updated:

November 28, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Communications

6 helpful strategies to safeguard privileged and confidential information in a digital legal environment

Updated:

November 2, 2023

By:

Jennifer Anderson

Communications

Law Firms Can Have Their Cake and Eat It, Too: Growth as a Client Centric Firm

Updated:

October 31, 2023

By:

Morgan Casper

Intake

Bringing Ease into Intake with Smokeball Legal Software

Updated:

October 12, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Communications

Improving Attorney-Client Communications: How to Work with Difficult Clients

Updated:

October 10, 2023

By:

Morgan Casper

Member Benefit

Announcing New Member Benefit Partnership: Smokeball and the State Bar of Wisconsin

Updated:

October 9, 2023

By:

Kathy Sandstedt

Artificial Intelligence

Will AI Replace Paralegals? How to Upskill in the Age of AI

Updated:

October 8, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Communications

10 Best Practices for Transparent Client Communications

Updated:

October 5, 2023

By:

Stephen Embry

Legal Trends

Emerging Career Paths for Legal Professionals With Paralegal Backgrounds

Updated:

September 29, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Marketing

Data Driven Law Firm Marketing: Technology and Data Drives Results

Updated:

September 15, 2023

By:

Scott Brandt

Communications

Effective and Scalable Law Firm Communication Strategies

Updated:

September 6, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Growing Your Firm

Understanding Law Firm Compensation Models: Strategies for Success

Updated:

August 11, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Profitability

Mastering Law Firm Cash Flow: Strategies for Healthy Law Firm Finances

Updated:

August 4, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

Leveraging Data in Business Law for Profitability and a Positive Work Culture

Updated:

August 1, 2023

By:

Cate Giordano

Awards

Meet the 2023 Beacon Award Winners

Updated:

July 31, 2023

By:

Smokeball

Profitability

The Three Pillars of Law Firm KPIs to Thrive During Tax Time

Updated:

July 27, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Profitability

Mastering Financial Management for Law Firm Growth

Updated:

July 25, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

How Data Helps Create a Healthy Family Law Firm Culture

Updated:

July 19, 2023

By:

Cate Giordano

Automation

How to Organize Your Estate Planning Law Firm with Document Automation

Updated:

July 12, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Maximize Estate Planning Law Firm Efficiency and Client Retention Using Data

Law Firm Insights

Boost Estate Planning Firm Efficiency and Client Retention Using Data

Updated:

July 12, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Growing Your Firm

Designing an Ethical Law Firm Succession Plan

Updated:

July 11, 2023

By:

Jordan Turk

Twelve headshots encircle a badge that reads Smokeball Community Hero

Awards

Meet the 2023 Beacon Award Finalists

Updated:

July 10, 2023

By:

Smokeball

Law Firm Insights

Using Law Firm Data to Justify Billing Rate Increases and Legal Team Pay Raises

Updated:

June 27, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Gain valuable insights and optimize your real estate law firm's performance with essential reports and metrics. Streamline processes, attract more clients, and drive sustainable growth.

Law Firm Insights

Unlocking Real Estate Law Firm Performance: Essential Metrics and Reports for Growth

Updated:

June 23, 2023

By:

Cate Giordano

Intake

Leveraging Online Legal Client Intake Forms for a Smooth Experience with Your Law Firm

Updated:

June 21, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

6 Reports to Run to Understand Legal Business Performance

Updated:

June 16, 2023

By:

Alex Onion

Law Firm Insights

How to Develop and Grow Your Law Firm as a Business

Updated:

June 13, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Data Security: The Ultimate Guide

Legal Tech Stack

Cyber Security for Law Firms: The Ultimate Guide

Updated:

June 6, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

Driving Results for Personal Injury Firm Performance with Data Reports

Updated:

June 2, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Member Benefit

Announcing New Member Benefit Partnership: Smokeball and the Oklahoma Bar Association

Updated:

June 1, 2023

By:

Kathy Sandstedt

Intake

How Legal CRM Software Benefits Law Firms in Your Practice Area

Updated:

May 26, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

Metrics that Matter: How to Measure Law Firm Performance

Updated:

May 26, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

A graphic of a man with gray hair extending his hand to a woman with long black hair. Between them is a flame-like emblem.

Awards

Nominate a Smokeball Community Hero

Updated:

May 22, 2023

By:

Smokeball

Legal Tech Stack

Why Legal Software Helps Law Firms Grow

Updated:

May 19, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Growing Your Firm

An Illinois Real Estate Lawyer's Marketing Guide to Boosting Online Presence

Updated:

May 17, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Growing Your Firm

Maximizing Attorney Referral Fees in Florida: A Guide

Updated:

May 16, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Member Benefit

Announcing New Member Benefit Partnership: Smokeball and the California Lawyers Association

Updated:

May 5, 2023

By:

Kathy Sandstedt

Law Firm Insights

Lawyer Payment Methods: What to Offer at Your Law Firm?

Updated:

May 4, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

woman paying her legal bills on a payment plan online with a credit card

Legal Tech Stack

How to Implement Lawyer Payment Plans At Your Law Firm

Updated:

May 4, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Legal Tech Stack

Law Firm Technology: What Tech Tools Does Your Law Firm Need?

Updated:

May 4, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

How to Set Law Firm Goals That Boost Profits and Productivity

Updated:

May 3, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Legal Tech Stack

Top 10 Legal Technology Trends to See in 2023

Updated:

April 27, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Law Firm Insights

Law Office Management: An Ultimate Guide

Updated:

April 27, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Growing Your Firm

How to Start a Law Firm: An Ultimate Guide

Updated:

April 26, 2023

By:

Noel Peel

Law Firm Insights

How to Conduct a Conflict Check at a Law Firm?

Updated:

April 26, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Billing

A Guide to Flat Fee Billing for Lawyers

Updated:

April 26, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Intake

How Legal Client Intake Software Benefits Different Areas of Law

Updated:

April 21, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Real estate document management software

Automation

How Contract Automation Tools Boost Accuracy for Real Estate Law Firms

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Dana Moran

Automation

How Family Law Document Automation Tools Improve Your Firm’s Accuracy

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Dana Moran

Legal Tech Stack

An Introduction to eDiscovery: The Basics

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Automation

How Personal Injury Document Automation Software Boosts Your Success

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Product

Why Cloud-Based Technology Is Necessary to Run a Cyber-Secure Firm

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Rebecca Spiegel

Legal Tech Stack

The Top 5 Law Firm Compliance Challenges (and Solutions)

Updated:

April 20, 2023

By:

Alex Onion

Legal Trends

Electronic Signatures for Lawyers: All You Need to Know

Updated:

April 18, 2023

By:

Maria

Smokeball is thrilled to announce a new partnership with CalBar Connect.

Member Benefit

Announcing New Benefit Partnership: Smokeball and the CalBar Connect

Updated:

April 14, 2023

By:

Kathy Sandstedt

No Items Found

Load more Resources