How-To Guide

Set up a client, add a matter if you need one, and record your first time entry. Start with one client and one short entry. Once that feels familiar, use the same routine as you work through the day.

1. Create an account or sign in

Open legaltimecapture.com. New users: choose Get Started, enter a username, email and password, then choose Create account.

Next, choose Start 30-day free trial. A card is required to start, but you won't be charged until the trial ends, and we'll email you a reminder before then. You can cancel any time before that date in Settings → Manage Billing. If you were invited, you skip this step and go straight to your dashboard.

Already registered? Choose Sign In and use your username or email and password.

2. Set up your clients

Begin with the clients whose time you want to record. In Client Billing Setup, enter the client name (and an hourly rate, if you want billing estimates), then choose Add Client.

Use clear, consistent names so you can recognize the right client when entering time. Start with one client rather than entering your entire client list at once.

3. Add matters, if you use them

A client is who the work is for. A matter is the case or project the work belongs to. Set up the client first. Then, in Matter Billing Setup, choose the client, enter the matter name, and choose Add Matter.

For practice, use a fictional client and matter, such as Example Client and Sample Matter. Avoid confidential information while learning the workflow.

4. Record time: type it or dictate it

Add Time Entry

In Add Time Entry, check the Work date (it starts at today; change it if the work was on an earlier day), choose the client and the matter (if applicable), enter the time spent in minutes and a short description, then choose Save Entry. On a phone, the ＋ Entry button takes you straight to this form.

Dictate Time Entries

Prefer to speak? In Dictate Time Entries, tap Start Dictation, say what you did, then tap Stop Dictation. The app fills in the client, matter, time, description and work date for you to review. Correct anything that's wrong, then choose Confirm & Save. To record earlier work, say when it happened, such as "yesterday", "on Friday" or "last Tuesday"; otherwise the work date is today. The first time, your browser will ask permission to use the microphone.

A useful practice description: "Reviewed the draft agreement for Example Client, Sample Matter. Time spent: 15 minutes." This is an example of what to record, not a special voice command.

Dictation uses your web browser's built-in speech service (for example, Google in Chrome or Apple in Safari), as described in our Privacy Policy. If you'd rather not, type your entries instead.

Before and after saving

Before saving, check the work date, client, matter, time and description. With dictation, pay particular attention to names and numbers. After saving, confirm the entry appears under Recent Entries before entering it again. Use Edit or Delete there to fix mistakes.

Which method should I use?

Use whichever feels easier. Michael, the app's creator, usually uses Add Time Entry because it is faster for him. You can practice both before settling on your routine.

5. Make it part of your day

Keep the app handy and record work while it is fresh. One approach: leave it open on a laptop beside your main workspace and enter time between tasks.

When using another device, sign in to the same account. Before re-entering something you cannot see, check that you are in the right account and look for the existing entry to avoid duplicates.

6. Review and export

Before using your time records for billing, check for missing entries, duplicates, incorrect client or matter assignments, and unclear descriptions. Billing Review lets you look at a date range for a client or matter.

Choose Export CSV to download your records, then open the downloaded file and check that it contains the entries you expected. Keep a copy of your export. Downloading a CSV does not delete anything from the app.

If something does not look right

• Wrong client, matter or date? Check before saving an entry, or use Edit under Recent Entries.
• Not sure an entry saved? Look for it under Recent Entries before trying again.
• Dictation gave you the wrong words or numbers? Review the result before saving, or use Add Time Entry.
• Need help? Note the device, browser, action you tried and the exact error message. Do not include passwords or confidential client details in a help request.