AI can reduce the administrative work required to prepare a timesheet, but a legal time entry still represents work that may be billed to a client. Firms need controls that preserve accuracy and professional judgment.
A useful governance model treats AI as a preparation layer and the lawyer as the reviewer.
Minimum Controls for AI Assisted Timekeeping
A controlled workflow should make it clear what AI prepares and what the lawyer approves.
Useful controls include:
Capturing work activity from authorized systems
Preparing draft time information rather than immediately billing it
Allowing the lawyer to edit the narrative
Allowing correction of the client or matter
Reviewing duration before release
Confirming required task or activity codes
Keeping a clear step between preparation and downstream billing
MIRA's public product materials describe review in Microsoft Teams and Outlook and release toward supported finance systems. Confirm current availability and integration scope before deployment.
What Lawyers Should Review
Before approving an AI assisted time entry, the lawyer should confirm:
The work actually occurred
The entry belongs to the correct matter
The duration is reasonable
The description accurately explains the work
Required task or activity codes are appropriate
The entry follows applicable client billing requirements
AI can help prepare the entry, but the final record should reflect the lawyer's judgment.
Why Governance Supports Adoption
Lawyers are more likely to trust timekeeping automation when they can see and correct what the system prepares.
A review workflow also helps firms adopt AI without creating an uncontrolled path from digital activity directly to a client bill. The goal is to reduce administrative effort while preserving accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should AI be allowed to create legal time entries?
AI can prepare draft entries from work activity, but firms should define a review process before those entries become final billing records.
What should a lawyer verify in an AI generated time entry?
The lawyer should verify the matter, duration, description, billing codes, and whether the activity is appropriate to bill.
Can lawyers edit MIRA time entries before billing?
Yes. MIRA supports reviewing and editing captured time before entries are released to supported finance systems.
Why is human review important in legal timekeeping?
Time entries can affect client invoices, revenue, compliance with billing guidelines, and client trust. Human review helps ensure that automated suggestions accurately reflect the work performed.
