LEDES Billing Format

Overview

LEDES (Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard) is a standardized electronic billing format widely used in the legal industry. Many corporate legal departments and insurance companies require law firms to submit invoices in LEDES format for automated processing.

Common Formats

• LEDES 1998B: Most common format for electronic billing
• LEDES 1998BI: Includes additional invoice-level data
• LEDES 2000: More detailed task and activity codes

Why It Exists

Provides consistent structure for:

• Automated invoice processing
• Cost analysis and reporting
• Budget tracking
• Outside counsel management
• Data aggregation across firms

Required Data Fields

• Client/matter numbers
• Date of service
• Attorney/timekeeper ID
• Hours worked
• Rate
• Amount
• Task codes (what type of work)
• Activity codes (specific activities)
• Expense codes

Time Tracking Implications

Law firms must:

• Use LEDES-compliant task codes
• Track time in appropriate increments
• Include required narrative details
• Maintain consistent coding
• Export data in LEDES format

Most legal time tracking software includes LEDES export functionality.

Pricing

Free standard — using LEDES format has no cost, though software must support it.