PointOne Best Practices

PointOne Rules

To ensure consistent billing practices and reduce disputes, firms should:

• Memorialize internal billing guidelines in a Word document or PDF.

• Input these documents into PointOne so that all time entries comply.

• Iteratively refine rules based on bill reviews and disputes.

• Provide disputed time entries or appeals to PointOne so the system learns how to flag or characterize similar entries going forward.

Entering Rules into PointOne

• Be as descriptive as possible.

• Include examples to clarify intent.

• Rules do not need to be binary (e.g., they can describe levels of compliance).

Common Categories of Rules

• Descriptiveness of Entry

  • Example: “Time entry narratives should describe the specific task performed. Entries like ‘worked on case’ are insufficient.”

  • Example: “All research entries must include the legal issue researched, not just ‘research’.”

  • Example: "Keep entries brief and descriptive of only the task performed with no additional detail, i.e., 'Perform research.'

• Formatting of Names

  • Example: “Attorney names should appear as ‘First Last,’ not initials.”

  • Example: “Client names must use full legal names, not abbreviations.”

• Clarity of Activity

  • Example: “Avoid vague terms such as ‘reviewed documents’. Instead, specify ‘reviewed deposition transcript of John Doe’.”

  • Example: “When billing for calls, entries must include the name of the person spoken to and the purpose of the call.”

• Prohibited Phrasing

  • Example: “Do not use shorthand such as ‘misc.’ or ‘etc.’ in time entries.”

  • Example: “Entries may not state ‘as requested’ without describing the actual work performed.”

Benefits of Detailed Rules

• Ensures accurate and compliant time entries.

• Reduces the likelihood of disputes.

• Enables PointOne to better interpret and apply rules across all future entries.