Billing for Lawyers-Update

I have used TimeSlips for many years. Even though my Mac version was “orphaned” 9 years and two corporate owners ago, it just keeps chugging along. The PC version is updated regularly. Sage owns the product now and sells a host of complimentary and supplementary programs.You can see a free demo online and download a free trial here. At $499.00 TimeSlips is more expensive than it was when I bought it about 16 years ago. TimeSlips operates on the basic model of filling in all of your information on an electronic time slip. The program has more flexibility than anything else I’ve seen. You can enter time in any units..keep running time or enter episodically (for those who bill monthly-when they can get to it)…the program also can be used for flat fees and the new “value billing” if you wish to bill without using an hourly rate. You can keep track of multiple lawyers and paralegals, all at different rates for each person or for each client. The invoice templates are quite good and you can customize with your own graphics. You can charge interest; e.g., 9% after 30 days. You can add messages to the invoices, including aged balances. You can round off to minimum time units.The time slips are fully searchable and the program can provide reports on who you are billing and how much. I find the historical reports useful to classify clients into A, B, C, or D…you can see who the time wasters are and get rid of them on an objective basis. The only draw back I see to TimeSlips is the initial learning curve is higher than for some other programs, which do much less. The Mac version is easier to learn. The PC version has training materials available, along with seminars. Take a look at the free demo and see what you think. Your choice may depend on who will be using it and how “user-friendly” they think it is. Here are some shareware and open source programs. Another possibility would be web-based invoicing. These systems are usually fairly easy to use, require no particular software be purchased, operate on a subscription basis, and are simple enough for staff or lawyers. Here are some examples: BillingOrchard can be used with BaseCamp, a contact/knowledge management program, or on its own. Blinksale is another online billing program. If your bookkeeper is using an Intuit program, such as QuikBooks, you should consider using their online timekeeping and invoicing system. Finally, if you use HotDocs…LexisBackOffice–PCLaw can use the data entered into HotDocs to do your billing. This is the most expensive of what I’ve mention ($700.00 and up); but it is the most widely-used legal billing program in the PC world. Try the demo and see what you think.

Bloxes

Bloxes are building blocks made of interlocking pieces of corrugated cardboard, folded together.. Their unique shape and structure make them exceptionally strong and lightweight — you could build yourself a platform to stand on, and then pick it up and move it wherever you need to.

Bloxes can connect with each other on all six sides, so you can use them to build walls, benches, tables, tunnels –€” whatever you can think of. And because the varied surface and complex internal structure helps dampen sound, they’re great for managing acoustics in offices, studios and other places.To build a structure with bloxes, simply line up the pegs of two bloxes and push them together. Repeat as necessary. They’re like Legos, except that you can build in any direction.

Bloxes measure 9½ inches square when assembled; a pack of 20 will create a 4-by-5 blox wall of approximately 36 inches by 45 inches. Sold in quantities of 20 for $59.95, the unassembled bloxes fit in a 15-inch square box for easy shipping.

Read more or order your own Bloxes

Via TechCrunch.