Flat fees, contingency, preferred rates, complex arrangements — TimeNet Law handles them all. Here's how.
Long-term client gets a discount? Set a custom rate that applies to all their matters automatically.
Personal injury, class action, or other contingency matters need time tracking without invoicing until resolution.
Estate planning, simple contracts, or other fixed-price work? Track time for profitability analysis while billing flat.
Big corporate client with negotiated rates? Set matter-specific rates that differ from your standard.
SCREENSHOT: Client billing settings panel showing billing type dropdown with options: Hourly, Flat Fee, Contingency, Hybrid — with rate override fields visible
Four billing types, endless flexibility — hourly, flat fee, contingency, or hybrid
Find your client in the client list and double-click to open, or:
⌘ + F to search, then type the client name
Click Edit to modify the client settings.
Click the Billing tab in the client editor. Here you'll see:
Check Use Custom Rate and enter the hourly rate for this client.
This rate will override the timekeeper's default rate for all time entries on this client's matters.
Need different rates for different timekeepers on the same client? Set rates at the matter level instead (covered below).
If the custom rate only applies from a certain date forward, set the Effective Date.
Time entries before this date use the old rate. Entries on or after use the new rate.
Changing rates mid-matter? Set the effective date carefully. You don't want to accidentally re-price already-billed time.
VIDEO COMING SOON: Setting a custom client rate — opening client record, navigating to billing tab, enabling custom rate override, entering the preferred rate, and setting effective date
Looping video · No audio · ~10-15 seconds
Custom client rates in 10 seconds — open client, set rate, done
For even more granular control, set rates on individual matters:
Matter rates override client rates, which override timekeeper defaults. The hierarchy: Matter → Client → Timekeeper.
The matter-level rate table lets you specify:
Leave a timekeeper blank to use the client or default rate.
SCREENSHOT: Matter-level rate table showing different hourly rates per timekeeper — partner rate, associate rate, paralegal rate, and a no-charge entry
Set granular rates per timekeeper per matter — the rate hierarchy puts you in full control
For contingency matters, you still want to track time (for fee petitions, profitability analysis, etc.) without generating invoices:
Track time on contingency matters religiously. If you win, you'll need detailed records for fee petitions. If you lose, you'll know your true cost.
Contingency cases often have significant expenses. TimeNet Law tracks these separately:
These remain billable even on contingency matters (depending on your fee agreement).
When the case settles or wins:
Always generate a settlement statement showing the breakdown. Clients deserve transparency, and your bar requires it.
VIDEO COMING SOON: Contingency settlement workflow — entering gross settlement amount, automatic fee calculation, expense deduction, and one-click settlement statement generation
Looping video · No audio · ~10-15 seconds
Case settles, enter the amount, and TimeNet Law calculates everything — your fee, expense deductions, client distribution
For fixed-price work like estate planning or simple contracts:
Still track your time on flat fee matters! You need to know if you're making money or losing your shirt. TimeNet Law tracks time without billing it.
Run the Flat Fee Profitability report to see:
Many attorneys discover their "profitable" flat fee services are actually losing money. Run this report quarterly and adjust your prices.
SCREENSHOT: Flat Fee Profitability report showing fee charged vs. hourly value, effective rate earned, and profitability indicators for each flat-fee matter
The Flat Fee Profitability report — discover which fixed-price services actually make money
TimeNet Law supports creative fee structures:
For complex fee arrangements, use the matter notes field to document the full agreement. You'll thank yourself when invoicing time comes.
For clients on monthly retainers:
If you're consistently working more hours than the retainer covers, you're leaving money on the table. The data will show you when to renegotiate.
SCREENSHOT: Matter billing configuration showing hybrid fee options — capped fees, reduced hourly + contingency percentage, phase-based billing toggles
Creative fee arrangements? TimeNet Law handles capped fees, hybrid contingency, phase billing, and more
Got a creative billing structure that doesn't fit the standard options? Perry has probably seen it before and can help you set it up.
Contact Support — No fee arrangement is too weird