How does the CJA fee cap tracker work?

Set a case maximum when you create or edit a case. Handlebill™ tracks your running total of attorney fees plus expenses against that cap in real time and warns you before you hit the limit so you can file a CJA-26.

How does Handlebill™ differ from the PanelTime Converter?

The Converter is a one-time tool — you upload a timesheet PDF or photo and get a CSV back. Handlebill™ is a full time-tracking app: it keeps your entries organized by case over time, lets you add entries incrementally by voice or import, shows a calendar view, tracks your CJA fee cap, sends SMS court reminders, and shows practice analytics.

Handlebill^™ by PanelTime

Track your legal time and bill with confidence — CJA or private.

Q: What is the 7-day free trial?

You can start a trial from your account page — no credit card required. You get full access to Handlebill™ for 7 days. After the trial you can subscribe with PayPal to continue. If you don't subscribe, your data is kept and will be available if you subscribe later.

Q: Does Handlebill™ work for service providers (CJA-21)?

Yes. When you create a case, select 'Service Provider (CJA-21).' Handlebill™ tracks units and rate instead of service type codes, and exports a CSV formatted for the CJA-21 form — Date, Description, Units, Rate.

Dictate hours by voice, use a built-in timer, upload a timesheet, or snap a photo of a handwritten log. The built-in PanelTime^™ Converter generates an eVoucher-ready file — upload in one click with our free Chrome extension. Private clients get a professional invoice in seconds. Automatic SMS court reminders included.

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Install Chrome Extension — free

Handlebill™ CJA Time & Billing

US v. Marcus Webb

Case #CR-25-00318

DistrictC.D. Cal.

DefendantMarcus Webb

TypeCJA Appointed

CJA-20 Active

+ Add entry 🎤 Voice 📄 Import timesheet ⏱ Start Timer

CURRENT ENTRIES (UNBILLED)

DATE	DESCRIPTION	TYPE	HRS	STATUS
07-14-2025	Initial client interview at MDC Los Angeles	16a. Interviews and Conferences	2.0 h	Unbilled
07-17-2025	Reviewed discovery — police reports & body cam	16b. Obtaining and reviewing records	3.5 h	Unbilled
07-21-2025	Arraignment and/or Plea — Roybal Federal Building	15a. Arraignment and/or Plea	1.5 h	Unbilled

⬇ Services CSV ⬇ Expenses CSV ✉ Email both CSVs 📄 Generate Invoice 📋 New billing period Delete all entries

Features

Everything in one place

Handlebill^™ replaces the yellow legal pad, the Excel file, and the last-minute scramble before a voucher deadline.

🎤

Voice time entry

Dictate your hours out loud. AI parses your words into separate entries — right dates, right hours, right CJA categories — no typing required.

↓ See it in action

📄

Timesheet import

Upload your existing timesheet from Excel, Google Docs, or Word — or snap a photo of a handwritten log. AI reads every line and fills in the review table automatically.

One-click eVoucher upload

When it's time to bill, export a properly formatted file and upload your services to eVoucher in one click using the free PanelTime^™ Chrome extension. For private clients, generate a professional invoice in seconds. No manual data entry. No copy-paste.

🚦

CJA fee cap tracker

Set a case maximum and Handlebill^™ tracks your running total — attorney fees plus expenses — against the cap in real time. Get a warning before you hit the limit and file a CJA-26.

US v. Henderson Felony · $13,800 cap

$9,834 of $13,800 Fees Expenses

US v. Reyes ⚠ Approaching cap

$11,317 of $13,800

📅

Calendar view

See all billed hours and upcoming hearings laid out by month across every case. Catch over- or under-billing at a glance. Download any month as a printable PDF.

July 2026

Su

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

29

30

1

1.5h

2

3

2.0h

4

5

6

7

3.0h

8

⚖ Hearing

9

10

1.0h

11

2.5h

12

📊

Practice analytics

See your hours, fees, and expenses across all cases in one view. Daily billing chart, monthly fee trend, hours by case, and cap usage at a glance — with historical CJA rates built in.

Hours

72.9

22 billable days

Fees

$12,893

historical CJA rates

Cases

active this period

Hours per day

● Orange bar = over 10 hrs — overbilling flag

📱

SMS hearing reminders

Add contacts to any case, set your timing, and Handlebill^™ sends automatic court reminders by text message — 1 week, 3 days, or 1 day before the hearing.

↓ See it in action

See it in action

SMS court reminders

Add contacts to any case, choose when to notify them, and Handlebill^™ sends the reminder automatically. No calls, no wasted time, no missed court.

In Handlebill

Contacts — US v. Martinez

Upcoming hearing

Arraignment — Mon, Aug 4

9:00 AM · Courtroom 5D, Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse

Rosa Martinez

(619) 555-0182

✓ SMS On

Send reminder: 1 week before 3 days before 1 day before

💬 Send reminder now

Jorge Martinez

(619) 555-0247

✓ SMS On

Send reminder: 1 week before 3 days before 1 day before

What your client receives

+1 (619) 555-0182

Text Message

Sunday, Aug 3 · 8:00 AM

Reminder: You have an Arraignment on Mon, Aug 4 at 9:00 AM at Courtroom 5D, Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse. — Jane Smith | Sent by Handlebill.com — please do not reply.

Sent automatically1 day before the hearing — no action needed

See it in action

Voice entry — speak, review, save

Say what you did. AI turns it into structured billing entries, ready to review and save in seconds.

What you say

"July 10th, met with client at MCC, one point five hours. July 10th, travel to courthouse, point five hours. July 11th, reviewed discovery documents, two hours. July 12th, call with AUSA re plea offer, point three hours."

What you get

Voice review — US v. Smith

DateHrsDescription

07/101.5Meeting with client at MCC — 16a

07/100.5Travel to courthouse — 16d

07/112.0Review of discovery documents — 16b

07/120.3Call with AUSA re plea offer — 16a

Total: 4.3 hrs

Who it's for

Built for every attorney — CJA and private

Whether you file a CJA voucher or bill private clients, Handlebill^™ tracks your time the right way from day one.

All plans include voice time entry, timesheet import (Excel, Google Docs, Word, or photo), calendar view, PanelTime^™ Converter for eVoucher, SMS court reminders, and the free PanelTime^™ Chrome extension.

CJA-20 · Attorney

Panel Attorneys

Automatically assigns CJA service categories (15a–16e)
Separates in-court and out-of-court entries
Tracks expenses — mileage, parking, copies, fax
Exports a billing file ready for eVoucher upload in one click

↓ See voice entry in action

CJA-21 · Service Provider

Interpreters, Investigators & Experts

Tracks units, rate, and description per entry
No service type codes required
Handles expense reimbursements separately
Exports Date / Description / Units / Rate — ready for eVoucher
Generate a professional invoice to send directly to the attorney

Private Practice · Attorney

Private Client Billing

No CJA codes — just date, description, and hours
Handles client expenses separately from time
Generate a professional invoice in seconds
Calendar view keeps every matter visible so nothing slips

↓ See SMS court reminders in action

Pricing

Simple, flat monthly rate

One plan, one price. Includes everything — voice entry, timesheet import, calendar, eVoucher export, PanelTime^™ Chrome extension, and SMS reminders.

Handlebill^™

$39 / month

7-day free trial — no credit card required

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Pricing subject to change. Subscribers notified before any increase. Cancel anytime from your account page.

FAQ

Questions

Can I use Handlebill™ for private client cases, not just CJA?

Yes. When you create a case, you can mark it as a private matter. Handlebill^™ tracks your time and expenses the same way — no CJA service codes required. Export a clean CSV to use with your invoicing software or send to clients directly. Private and CJA cases live side by side in your dashboard.

How does voice entry work?

Tap the microphone button inside any case, then speak naturally — "July 10th, met with client at MCC, one and a half hours." AI splits your dictation into individual entries, assigns CJA service categories, and presents them in a review table. You edit anything that looks off, then save.

What does "7-day free trial" mean?

You can start a trial directly from your account page — no credit card required. You get full access to Handlebill^™ for 7 days. After the trial, you can subscribe with PayPal to continue. If you don't subscribe, your data is kept and will be available if you subscribe later.

Is my data saved if I cancel?

Yes. All your cases and time entries are preserved when you cancel. If you resubscribe — just use the same email address — everything will be right where you left it.

Does Handlebill^™ work for service providers (CJA-21)?

Yes. When you create a case, select "Service Provider (CJA-21)." Handlebill^™ tracks units and rate instead of service type codes, and exports a CSV formatted for the CJA-21 form — Date, Description, Units, Rate.

How does the timesheet import work?

Inside any case, tap "Import timesheet" and upload your existing timesheet from Excel, Google Docs, or Word — or take a photo of a handwritten log. AI reads every entry, including the default rate at the top of CJA-21 sheets, and fills the review table automatically. You verify and edit before saving anything.

What is the Chrome extension and do I need it?

The PanelTime^™ Chrome extension lets you upload your exported CSV directly into eVoucher with one click, without navigating the import screens manually. It's included free with Handlebill^™ (and the Converter plan), but it's optional — you can always import the CSV manually.

Does Handlebill^™ include the Converter?

Yes. Handlebill^™ subscribers also have access to the AI Converter on the homepage — the tool that converts an uploaded timesheet PDF or image directly to a CSV. Handlebill^™ takes it further: it keeps your entries organized by case, lets you add entries over time, and shows a calendar view of your work.