Top 5 Ways Law Firms Waste Billable Hours

And How to Fix Them Immediately

Time is the lifeblood of every law firm. Yet many firms unintentionally waste billable hours on non-revenue tasks. Here are the top five time-killers we see most often, and how to eliminate them.

1. Manual Client Intake

Collecting client information through phone calls, emails, and scattered documents burns valuable time.

Fix: Automate intake with smart forms that sync directly to your case management system.

2. Inefficient Scheduling

Back-and-forth emails to confirm meetings can cost dozens of hours each month.

Fix: Use automated scheduling tools with built-in reminders so clients book themselves.

3. Document Drafting from Scratch

Rewriting standard contracts, NDAs, and agreements wastes lawyer hours.

Fix: Use AI-assisted templates that adapt to each case in minutes.

4. Chasing Down Payments

Manually tracking invoices and following up on late payments eats into your workday.

Fix: Implement automated billing and payment reminders to ensure faster collections.

5. Answering Repetitive Client Questions

“How do I check my case status?” “When is my next hearing?” These simple queries pull attorneys away from higher-value work.

Fix: Deploy AI-powered client portals and chat agents that answer FAQs 24/7.

The Bottom Line

Every wasted billable hour is lost revenue. By streamlining these five areas, law firms can reclaim 10+ hours per week per attorney, and put that time back into billable work.

Ready to stop wasting hours? Reach out to see how our websites and AI agents help law firms work smarter, not harder.

Let's Talk