Legal Timekeeping Agreement

LEGAL TIMEKEEPING AGREEMENT

This Legal Timekeeping Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between Client Name: , located at , and Service Provider Name: , located at .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client retains Provider to perform legal services, the billing for which shall be supported by contemporaneous and accurate time entries; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to establish uniform standards for timekeeping, entry format, submission deadlines, rounding rules, and verification to ensure integrity and efficiency of invoicing and internal controls; and

WHEREAS, Provider maintains electronic timekeeping systems and procedures that, if followed, will allow Client to rely upon time entries for billing and internal audit purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Time Entry" means an electronic or written record of hours worked prepared contemporaneously by Provider's personnel and containing the date, start and end times (or increment), task description, and matter or project identifier.

1.2 "Designated System" means the timekeeping application or platform specified by the Parties for the entry, storage, and transmission of Time Entries.

2. TIMEKEEPING SYSTEM AND FORMAT

2.1 Provider shall use the following Designated System: to record all Time Entries relating to Client matters.

2.2 Each Time Entry shall, at a minimum, include: (a) Date of service; (b) Start time and end time or number of hours; (c) Direct description of services performed sufficient to identify tasks and activities; (d) Matter identifier or file number; (e) Timekeeper initials or name; and (f) Any necessary confidentiality classification.

3. INCREMENTS, ROUNDING, AND MINIMUMS

3.1 Time shall be recorded in minimum increments of hours.

3.2 Rounding shall occur as follows (choose one or describe): . Provider shall apply rounding consistently and shall not round in a manner that materially increases billed time.

4. TIMELINESS; SUBMISSION

4.1 Provider shall enter Time Entries contemporaneously with the performance of services and shall submit all Time Entries for a given billing period no later than days after the end of the period.

4.2 If Time Entries are submitted late, Provider shall include a written explanation for any entry recorded more than days after performance, and Client may require additional verification or disallowance in accordance with Section 6.

5. ADJUSTMENTS, CORRECTIONS, AND CERTIFICATION

5.1 Provider shall maintain an audit trail for each Time Entry reflecting creation, edits, and the identity of the editor. Corrections shall not delete original records but shall append correcting entries and an explanation.

5.2 Prior to submission of invoices, the responsible timekeeper shall certify that the Time Entries are true, accurate, and performed for the stated matter by selecting the certification option in the Designated System or by providing a signed certification upon Client request.

6. AUDIT AND VERIFICATION RIGHTS

6.1 Client shall have the right to audit Provider's Time Entries, supporting documentation, and audit logs relating to services billed to Client for a period of years following invoice date.

6.2 Audits shall be conducted at Client's expense unless material noncompliance is discovered, in which case Provider shall reimburse reasonable audit costs and correct the noncompliance. Provider shall cooperate with reasonable verification procedures.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA SECURITY

7.1 Timekeeping records and related metadata constitute Confidential Information of the Parties. Provider agrees to protect such information using administrative, technical, and physical safeguards consistent with industry standards and not to disclose it except as required by law or with Client's prior written consent.

8. FEES, BILLING, AND RECORD RETENTION

8.1 This Agreement governs timekeeping practices only and does not modify the Parties' fee arrangements unless expressly stated in writing. Provider shall retain timekeeping records and supporting documentation for the period specified in Section 6.1.

9. NOTICES

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below by hand, certified mail, or overnight courier.

10. AMENDMENT; WAIVER

10.1 This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of both Parties.

10.2 No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that right, and no single or partial exercise of any right shall preclude further exercise.

11. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

11.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

11.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

11.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, concerning timekeeping practices for Client matters.

12. MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

12.2 Authority: Each signatory represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Party for which the signatory acts.

Sign Now