The Time Entries page now supports bulk actions specifically designed for managing Fixed Fee time entries. These actions let you change billing type, assign time to a fee, or move entries to a different matter—all in bulk, directly from the time entry list.
This article covers the new Fixed Fee Assignment filter, the available bulk actions, and when to use each one.
Unassigned Time Alert Banner
When unassigned Fixed Fee time entries exist, LeanLaw displays an alert banner at the top of the Time Entries page:
"You have 2 unassigned fixed fee time entries that need review. These entries are tracked but not linked to any specific fee."
The alert is visible whenever you visit the Time Entries page, so unassigned time doesn't go unnoticed.
What the Count Reflects
The number shown in the alert depends on your permissions:
Without "View Time for Others" permission: the count includes only your own unassigned Fixed Fee entries
With "View Time for Others" permission: the count includes all unassigned Fixed Fee entries across the firm
Clicking the Alert
Clicking the alert navigates you to the Time Entries page with the Fixed Fee Assignment filter automatically set to Unassigned. From there, you can select entries and use bulk actions to assign them to fees, convert them, or move them.
This provides a fast path from awareness to resolution—no manual filtering required.
The Fixed Fee Assignment Filter
The Time Entries page includes a dedicated filter for Fixed Fee time: the Fixed Fee Assignment filter.
This filter helps you quickly find Fixed Fee time entries based on their assignment status—whether they're linked to a specific fee or not.
Filter Options
Option | What It Shows |
All | All Fixed Fee time entries, regardless of assignment status |
Unassigned | Fixed Fee time entries that are not linked to any specific fee |
Assigned | Fixed Fee time entries that are linked to a fee |
By Client/Matter | Select a specific client or matter, then choose from a list of fixed fees on that matter to see only entries assigned to that fee |
How to Use It
Navigate to the Time Entries page
Locate the Fixed Fee Assignment filter
Select the option that matches what you're looking for
The filter works alongside other Time Entries page filters (date range, timekeeper, client, matter, etc.), so you can combine them to narrow results precisely.
Common Use Cases
Find all unassigned Fixed Fee time — to clean up entries that weren't linked to a fee when created
Review time assigned to a specific fee — select a client/matter and then a specific fee to see exactly what's been logged against it
Audit Fixed Fee time across the firm — use "All" to see every Fixed Fee entry, then sort or filter by date or timekeeper
Available Bulk Actions
When you select one or more Fixed Fee time entries on the Time Entries page, the following bulk actions become available:
Make Billable — Convert selected entries from Fixed Fee to billable hourly time
Make Non-Billable — Convert selected entries from Fixed Fee to non-billable time
Assign to Fee — Link selected entries to a specific fixed fee. Selected entries must all be from one matter.
Change Matter — Move selected entries to a different matter
Important: These bulk actions apply only to Fixed Fee time entries. Standard billable and non-billable entries have their own set of bulk actions.
Make Billable
What It Does
Converts selected Fixed Fee time entries to billable hourly time entries. After conversion, these entries will be billed at the timekeeper's hourly rate and will no longer be included in fixed fee profitability or allocation.
When to Use It
A fixed fee engagement has gone over scope and the client has agreed to pay hourly for additional work
Time was accidentally logged as Fixed Fee when it should have been billable
You're managing an unprofitable fixed fee and want to bill overage hours separately
How to Use It
Select the Fixed Fee time entries you want to convert
Click Make Billable
Confirm the action
What Happens
The billing type changes from Fixed Fee to Billable
The entries are removed from fixed fee allocation and profitability
They flow through standard hourly billing and compensation instead
If the entries were assigned to a fee, that association is removed
Tip: For firms using compensation reporting, converting to billable ensures the working attorney receives proper hourly credit. See [Managing Unprofitable Fixed Fees: Hour Limit vs. Converting Time to Billable] for a detailed comparison.
Make Non-Billable
What It Does
Converts selected Fixed Fee time entries to non-billable time entries. After conversion, these entries will not generate any charges and will not count toward fixed fee profitability or allocation.
When to Use It
Time was logged as Fixed Fee in error and should not be billed or tracked against a fee
Internal or administrative time was incorrectly categorized
You want to exclude specific entries from profitability calculations entirely
How to Use It
Select the Fixed Fee time entries you want to convert
Click Make Non-Billable
Confirm the action
What Happens
The billing type changes from Fixed Fee to Non-Billable
The entries are removed from fixed fee allocation and profitability
They remain in time reports as non-billable hours
If the entries were assigned to a fee, that association is removed
Assign to Fee
What It Does
Links selected Fixed Fee time entries to a specific fixed fee on the matter. This is how you fix unassigned time or reassign entries from one fee to another.
When to Use It
Timekeepers logged Fixed Fee time without selecting a fee in the dropdown
Time needs to be moved from one fee to another on the same matter
You're doing a periodic cleanup of unassigned Fixed Fee time
How to Use It
Select the Fixed Fee time entries you want to assign
Click Assign to Fee
Choose the target fixed fee from the list
Confirm the action
Important Requirement
All selected entries must belong to the same matter. If you select entries from multiple matters, the Assign to Fee option will not be available. Filter to a single matter first, then select and assign.
What Happens
The selected entries become linked to the chosen fixed fee
Profitability and allocation for that fee update to include the newly assigned time
If entries were previously assigned to a different fee, they are reassigned (not duplicated)
Change Matter
What It Does
Moves selected Fixed Fee time entries to a different matter. The entries retain their Fixed Fee billing type but are relocated to the target matter.
When to Use It
Time was logged on the wrong matter
A matter is being restructured or consolidated
Work needs to be reclassified under a different client or matter
How to Use It
Select the Fixed Fee time entries you want to move
Click Change Matter
Search for and select the target client and matter
Confirm the action
What Happens
The selected entries move to the new matter
Billing rates may update based on the new matter's rate table
If the entries were assigned to a fee on the original matter, that association is removed (since the fee doesn't exist on the new matter)
You may need to reassign the entries to a fee on the new matter after the move
Combining the Filter with Bulk Actions
The Fixed Fee Assignment filter and bulk actions are designed to work together. Here are some common workflows:
Workflow: Clean Up Unassigned Time
Set Fixed Fee Assignment filter to Unassigned
Filter to a specific matter
Select the relevant entries
Click Assign to Fee and choose the correct fee
Repeat for the next matter
Workflow: Convert Over-Scope Work to Billable
Set Fixed Fee Assignment filter to Assigned
Select the specific client/matter and fee
Review the entries to identify over-scope work
Select those entries
Click Make Billable
Workflow: Audit and Correct Misclassified Time
Set Fixed Fee Assignment filter to All
Filter by timekeeper or date range
Review entries for incorrect billing types
Select entries that should not be Fixed Fee
Click Make Billable or Make Non-Billable as appropriate
Best Practices
Filter before selecting — always narrow the list before performing bulk actions to avoid mistakes
Work one matter at a time when assigning to fees — the Assign to Fee action requires all selected entries to be on the same matter
Review regularly — schedule a weekly or monthly check of unassigned Fixed Fee time using the filter
Communicate with timekeepers — if you see patterns (e.g., one person consistently forgetting to select a fee), address it with training rather than just fixing data after the fact
Check profitability after changes — after assigning or converting entries in bulk, review the affected fees on the Fixed Fees page to confirm profitability looks correct
In Summary
The Time Entries page now provides powerful tools for managing Fixed Fee time at scale. The Fixed Fee Assignment filter lets you find unassigned, assigned, or fee-specific entries instantly, while bulk actions—Make Billable, Make Non-Billable, Assign to Fee, and Change Matter—let you correct, reclassify, and organize Fixed Fee time without editing entries one by one. Combined with regular reviews, these tools help keep your Fixed Fee data clean and your profitability reports accurate.