Overview
Smokeball is an all-in-one legal practice management platform designed specifically for small to medium-sized law firms. Its standout feature is automatic time tracking that captures billable hours without manual timers, ensuring attorneys never lose billable time. The platform integrates case management, document automation, billing, and accounting in a single, desktop-focused solution.
Features
Automatic Time Tracking
- AutoTime Technology: Automatically captures time spent on every file, email, document, and phone call
- No Manual Timers: Eliminates the need to start and stop timers throughout the day
- Background Tracking: Runs silently while you work, recording all billable activities
- Activity-Based Capture: Tracks time based on what you're working on, not just when
- Automatic Descriptions: Generates time entry descriptions from your activities
- One-Click Invoicing: Convert tracked time to invoices instantly
Case Management
- Matter Organization: Centralize all case information, documents, and communications
- Task Management: Assign and track tasks across the team
- Deadline Tracking: Never miss a court date or filing deadline
- Conflict Checking: Built-in conflict of interest screening
- Case Notes: Log all case-related activities and communications
Document Automation
- Form Templates: Library of 20,000+ legal forms
- Smart Forms: Automatically populate forms with client data
- Document Assembly: Create complex documents with conditional logic
- E-Signature Integration: Built-in electronic signature capability
Billing and Accounting
- Trust Accounting: Compliant IOLTA management with three-way reconciliation
- Flexible Billing: Support for hourly, flat fee, contingency, and hybrid arrangements
- Invoice Customization: Professional invoices with firm branding
- Payment Processing: Accept credit cards and e-checks
- QuickBooks Integration: Seamless sync with QuickBooks Online and Desktop
Email Integration
- Outlook Integration: File emails directly to matters from Outlook
- Automatic Email Time Capture: Track time spent on client emails
- Email Templates: Create and use email templates for common communications
AutoTime: How It Works
Smokeball's revolutionary AutoTime technology tracks billable work automatically:
- Activity Recognition: Identifies when you're working on client matters
- Time Capture: Records the time spent on each activity
- Smart Categorization: Associates time with the correct client and matter
- Description Generation: Creates detailed time entry descriptions
- Review and Approve: Review captured time entries and approve for billing
Benefits
- Increase Billable Hours: Studies show Smokeball users bill an average of 2+ additional hours per day
- Reduce Write-Offs: Detailed activity logs support time entry accuracy and defensibility
- Improve Cash Flow: Faster billing leads to faster payment
- Save Administrative Time: Automation reduces non-billable tasks
- Better Client Service: Spend more time on legal work, less on timekeeping
Integrations
- QuickBooks Online and Desktop
- Microsoft Office 365
- Microsoft Outlook
- LawPay payment processing
- Document management systems
- Court filing systems (jurisdiction-specific)
Pricing
Smokeball offers several pricing tiers based on firm size and features:
- Boost: Essential case management and time tracking
- Grow: Adds document automation and advanced reporting
- Prosper: Premium features including AutoTime and trust accounting
Pricing is per user per month with discounts for annual contracts. All plans include implementation support and training. A demo is available to see the platform in action.
