How to Correctly Format your LEDES File

Timekeeper Name Format: The timekeeper's name must be formatted as “surname, first name.” For example: Smith, John.

INVOICE_TOTAL: The total amount should match the sum of all LINE_ITEM_TOTALs.

Client Matter ID: While the client ID does not need to be present on the file, this field cannot be left blank.

Adjustments: Ensure no lines have a negative value for LINE_ITEM_NUMBER_OF_UNITS. To apply an invoice-level discount, add a new line with a negative LINE_ITEM_TOTAL and set EXP/FEE/INV_ADJ_TYPE to ‘IF’.

INVOICE_DESCRIPTION: This must be consistent across all lines of the invoice.

LINE_ITEM_DESCRIPTION: Must be less than 1024 characters.

Date Format: INVOICE_DATE, BILLING_START_DATE, and LINE_ITEM_DATE should be formatted as YYYYMMDD.

LAW_FIRM_COUNTRY: Use the Alpha-2 country code found at https://www.iban.com/country-codes.

File Type: The file must be in .txt format. If your software generates a .edi or .dat file, rename it to .txt to convert it.

Column Count: Ensure the file has the correct number of columns: 24 for LEDES1998B and 52 for LEDES98BI V2.

File Extension: The file should be saved as a .txt file.