Every lawyer knows that time is their most valuable resource, but it often slips away. The latest Legal Trends Report shows that attorneys bill only 2.9 hours out of an 8-hour workday. The rest of their time is consumed by administrative tasks, such as drafting documents, coordinating court dates, or chasing down process servers.
To boost revenue without extending the workday, firms need strategies to reduce busywork. When attorneys get bogged down in non-billable tasks, the impact shows up in client satisfaction, firm growth, and overall profitability.
With the right tools and technology, lawyers can maximize their hours and spend more time helping their clients.
Here are five practical tips to help you maximize billable hours and reclaim your workday.
Manual drafting is one of the biggest drains on attorney productivity. If you’re spending hours retyping the same phrases or formatting standard contracts, that’s time lost to billable work.
Document generation tools like Gaveland HotDocslet you create contracts and forms in minutes. Many platforms use templates or smart fields that automatically populate with client or case details. Automation also reduces errors like typos that could create costly problems.
Quick win: Build a library of go-to templates for your most common filings (like motions, NDAs, or client intake forms). Each document you automate could save 30–60 minutes, totaling dozens of hours over a month. You can redirect that time to billable activities that strengthen your case strategy.
Searching through emails, spreadsheets, or paper files takes more time than you may realize. Even a few extra minutes per task adds up when multiplied across an entire caseload.
With cloud-based case management platforms, such as Clioand Litify,you can centralize all client communications, deadlines, and documents in one place. That way, it's all accessible anytime, from anywhere. Many systems connect with billing and time-tracking software, so every activity is recorded and tracked.
Quick win: Choose a platform that connects to your billing provider and service of process partner. Case updates can then flow automatically into your workflow without double entry.
Service of process can be one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of litigation. Traditional methods can mean chasing down process servers, waiting on physical proof of service, and fielding endless phone calls.
With process servers like ABC Legal,attorneys can:
Each of these features helps save time and money. Delays in legal document delivery slow cases down and make it harder for attorneys to focus on client-facing work. With service of process allies like ABC Legal, attorneys gain transparency, speed, and confidence in every case.
Calendaring is another hidden drain on time. Attorneys and paralegals often spend hours coordinating hearings, rescheduling when conflicts arise, or finding someone to cover last-minute court appearances.
Instead of managing this manually, look for platforms like LawToolBoxand PracticePantherthat centralize calendaring and sync updates across your team. Automated reminders and mobile access also reduce the risk of missed deadlines and wasted time.
Quick win: Standardize your scheduling process with one shared system. If your team is spread across multiple offices, make sure everyone can view the same calendar to avoid conflicts. By simplifying scheduling, firms can protect their bottom line and avoid losing hours to administrative juggling.
Many attorneys underreport billable time simply because they forget to log it. Some studies suggest lawyers lose up to 20% of billable hours this way. That’s the equivalent of working one day a week for free.
Integrated time-tracking tools, such as Smokeballor MyCasecan help. Modern platforms run quietly in the background, capturing time spent on drafting, emailing, or reviewing case files. Some even connect directly to your billing system, so every logged minute is tied to the right client.
Quick win: At the end of each week, audit your captured time and compare it against your calendar. You’ll likely uncover small tasks (like client calls or quick reviews) that you’ve been leaving off your invoices. Logging them consistently could add thousands of dollars per month in billable time, directly generating revenue that might otherwise slip through the cracks.
Maximizing billable hours isn’t about squeezing more into an already packed day. It’s about working smarter—using tools and processes that reduce repetitive work, increase transparency, and keep cases moving forward.
Smart tools for document automation, case management, service of process, scheduling, and tracking billable work help you win back valuable hours. With that time, you can serve clients better and grow your practice.
Explore how ABC Legal helps attorneys reclaim billable hours with faster service of process and seamless integrations.
Create a free account todayand have America's most trusted network of process server ready whenever and wherever you need it. Already have a case that you need served? Order online anytime, hassle-free.
👉 Interested in exploring further? Check out our related post: Leveraging Legal Tech to Win Back Billable Hours.