---
title: "Timekeeper check before billing generative AI work (United States)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/us-timekeeper-gai-billing-check"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a42-us-timekeeper-gai-billing-check"
area_id: "A42"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A42-B1-1", "A42-A20260923-1", "A42-A20260923-2"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Timekeeper check before billing generative AI work (United States)

> A check a timekeeper completes before AI-assisted time or a per-use AI charge is put on a bill, so the bill reflects time actually spent and expenses the engagement allows.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/us-timekeeper-gai-billing-check  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Costs, billing & litigation funding](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding.md)
- Jurisdictions: United States
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 2 authorities it cites, for United States.

## When to use it

Use when a bill will include time spent with a generative AI tool, or a separate charge for a tool. Do not use it to set the fee arrangement. That belongs in the engagement letter.

## Used for these tasks

- [Review a bill for AI-assisted work](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/review-a-bill-for-ai-assisted-work.md)
- [Build a draft bill from the time records and the disclosure](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/build-a-draft-bill-from-the-time-records-and-the-disclosure.md)
- [Compare a draft bill to the last costs disclosure and any updates](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/compare-a-draft-bill-to-the-last-costs-disclosure-and-any-updates.md)

## How AI may be used

A tool may list draft time entries that mention a generative AI tool and flag entries with no review time. It does not decide that an entry is reasonable or move it onto the bill.

**AI may:**

- List draft entries that mention a tool, with the minutes recorded
- Flag an entry that bills a per-use charge not named in the engagement letter
- Flag an entry described as learning a tool the firm uses for clients generally

**AI must not:**

- Must not increase the minutes to a "value" the tool suggests
- Must not write off or add time
- Must not describe a grammar tool in ordinary software as a client expense

**The lawyer checks:**

- Each entry is minutes a person actually spent, including prompt and review time
- No entry charges the client for general learning of a tool the firm uses regularly
- A per-use charge matches the engagement letter and is the actual cost, unless a different agreement was made in advance

## Authorities

- [ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (July 29, 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf)
- [ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (Fees)](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/us-timekeeper-gai-billing-check and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*