Brightflag allows admin users to review, approve, or reject vendor-submitted timekeeper rates in the Timekeepers section. This ensures that billing rates are properly reviewed before being applied to invoices.
💡 What This Article Covers
Review Pending Rates
Approve a Timekeeper Rate
Reject a Timekeeper Rate
Key Rate Fields Explained
How Invoices Are Checked for Compliance
Timekeeper Rate Flags
📥 Review Pending Rates
Go to:
Menu > TimekeepersThe page opens on the Pending tab (default).
Use filters to narrow the list.
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Click the Timekeeper Name to:
View rate history
See the highest approved rate (if any)
✅ Approve a Timekeeper Rate
Go to:
Timekeepers > PendingFind the timekeeper.
Click the ✓ checkmark.
(Optional) Add a comment.
Click Approve.
➡️ The rate then moves to the Approved tab.
❌ Reject a Timekeeper Rate
Go to:
Timekeepers > PendingFind the timekeeper.
Click the X button.
(Optional) Add a comment.
Click Reject.
🚫 The rate then moves to the Rejected tab.
📄 Key Rate Fields Explained
Hover over column headers in Brightflag for tooltips.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Status | Pending, Approved, or Rejected |
| Role | Timekeeper’s role (e.g., Associate, Paralegal) |
| Vendor | Law firm name |
| Rate | Hourly billing rate |
| Effective Date | Date the rate becomes valid |
| Requested Date | Date the rate was submitted |
| Reviewed Date | Date the rate was approved or rejected |
| Change % | % difference compared to the last approved rate (based on the applicable rate type: matter or general) |
| Annualized Change % | Year-over-year % change based on effective dates |
⚡ Note: Both the last approved rate and % change fields are calculated from the relevant rate type value. If a matter-specific rate exists, it will be used. If not, the calculation will be based on the general rate.
🧾 How Invoices Are Checked for Compliance
When an invoice is submitted, Brightflag will:
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Check if matter rates exist for that matter and timekeeper.
If they exist, flag checks will apply to matter rates.
If not, flag checks will apply to general rates.
🔜 Coming soon: Admins will have the option to make matter rates required per matter per vendor, ensuring only matter rates are checked. More information canbe found here: Managing Timekeeper Matter Rates in Brightflag.
🚩 Timekeeper Rate Flags
Timekeeper flags help identify issues with submitted rates. The flag description will dynamically state whether it applies to matter rates or general rates.
New Timekeeper
No Timekeeper Rate Submitted for Time Period
(Coming soon: Matter Rate Not Submitted for Time Period)
Timekeeper Rate Increase (timekeeper-specific; may appear multiple times on the same invoice if multiple timekeepers are overcharged)
Timekeeper Rate Issue: Pending Rate Request
Timekeeper Rate Issue: Rejected Rate Request