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Configuring LEDES Codes at the Matter Level in LeanLaw

How to enable and configure LEDES codes on a specific matter in LeanLaw — including the matter LEDES tab, matter-specific ID overrides, and entering activity and task codes on time entries and expenses.

While LEDES settings are primarily configured at the firm and client levels, individual matters can have their own LEDES overrides — including custom matter IDs and matter-specific required code settings. Once LEDES is enabled for a client, timekeepers can start applying codes to time entries and expenses on that client's matters.

 

Accessing Matter-Level LEDES Settings

  1. Open the matter from the Matters tab.
  2. Navigate to the LEDES tab within the matter.
  3. The matter inherits its client's LEDES settings by default. Override specific fields as needed.

 

Matter-Level Override Fields

Field

What It Does

LEDES Client Matter ID

Override the client-level Client Matter ID for this specific matter. Use when a client assigns a different matter number to each matter rather than using one ID for all matters.

LEDES Law Firm Matter ID

Override LeanLaw's default matter reference for this matter's LEDES file. Useful if the client requires a specific format for the Law Firm Matter ID that differs from LeanLaw's auto-generated reference.

Required Codes (matter override)

Override the client-level required codes setting for this matter — for example, if most of a client's matters require task codes but one specific matter does not.

 

Entering LEDES Codes on Time Entries

Once a matter has LEDES enabled (inherited from the client), activity and task code fields appear when creating or editing time entries for that matter:

  1. Create a new time entry or edit an existing one.
  2. Select the LEDES-enabled client and matter.
  3. The Activity Code and Task Code fields appear in the time entry form.
  4. Type to search for a code or click the dropdown to browse available codes.
  5. Select the appropriate code(s).
  6. Save the time entry.

📋 Required codes enforcement: If the client or matter has required codes configured, LeanLaw will not allow saving a time entry without selecting the required code type(s). Timekeepers will see an error if they try to save without codes.

 

Entering LEDES Codes on Expenses

Expenses on LEDES-enabled matters also support expense codes:

  1. Go to the Expenses tab (or use the + button to add a new expense).
  2. Select the LEDES-enabled client and matter.
  3. The Expense Code field appears.
  4. Select the appropriate LEDES expense code (e.g., E101 for copying, E106 for online research).
  5. Save the expense.

💡 Expense templates with LEDES codes:   If your firm regularly uses the same expense type on LEDES matters, create an Expense Template with the LEDES code pre-configured. This saves timekeepers from selecting the code manually each time. Templates are created in Settings → Expense Templates.