If the line item details shown in Brightflag do not match the PDF invoice you downloaded, the most common reason is that the invoice was submitted as a LEDES file.
When a LEDES invoice is submitted:
Brightflag analyzes the LEDES file only
The PDF is stored as an attachment
The PDF is not used to extract line item details
This means Brightflag displays what is in the LEDES file — not what is shown on the PDF.
What About the PDF Validation Flag?
If your organization has enabled the PDF Validation Flag, Brightflag can validate certain high-level details between the PDF and LEDES file, such as:
Invoice number
PO number
Entity
Matter reference
Gross total
Net fees total
However, this validation does not compare:
Individual line items
Timekeeper hours
Hourly rates
Narrative descriptions
If those details differ, it means the vendor submitted inconsistent data.
What Should I Do If There’s a Mismatch?
If the LEDES file and PDF contain different billing details:
Reject the invoice
Ask the vendor to correct and resubmit
Ensure the LEDES file matches the PDF exactly
Brightflag processes the LEDES file as the authoritative billing record.
Key Takeaway
If an invoice was submitted as LEDES, Brightflag displays the data from the LEDES file — not the PDF.
If the two do not match, the vendor must correct the submission.