Push AI-Generated Billing Entries Directly into Clio

If you use Clio Manage as your practice management system, you no longer need to manually re-enter billing data from external tools. LexUnits connects directly to Clio via API, allowing you to generate time entries from meeting recordings, transcripts, and documents, then push them into Clio with a single click.

This guide explains how the integration works, how to set it up, and what happens to your entries when they land in Clio.

How the integration works

The LexUnits-Clio integration uses Clio's official API with OAuth 2.0 authentication. When you connect your Clio account, LexUnits receives permission to create time entries (activities) in your Clio instance. It does not read, modify, or delete any existing data in Clio — it only creates new time entries.

The workflow is straightforward. First, you generate billing entries in LexUnits using any of the three input methods — upload a meeting recording, paste a transcript, or upload documents and emails. Second, you review and edit the entries as needed — adjusting descriptions, times, matter references, or rates. Third, you click the green "Push to Clio" button. LexUnits sends each entry to Clio via the API, and within seconds your entries appear in Clio Manage as time activities.

Setting up the connection

Connecting LexUnits to Clio takes about thirty seconds. In the LexUnits sidebar, click your profile and look for the Clio connection status. Click "Connect Clio" and you will be redirected to Clio's authorisation page. Log in with your Clio credentials, review the permissions requested, and click "Allow." You are redirected back to LexUnits, and the connection is established.

The connection persists until you explicitly disconnect. LexUnits securely stores your OAuth tokens and automatically refreshes them when they expire, so you do not need to re-authenticate regularly.

LexUnits connects to the AU instance of Clio (au.app.clio.com), which serves both Australian and New Zealand firms.

What happens when you push entries

When you click "Push to Clio," LexUnits processes each entry and creates a corresponding time activity in Clio Manage. Several things happen automatically during this process.

Matter matching. LexUnits reads the matter reference from each entry (extracted from the original recording or document) and searches your Clio matters for a match. It first looks for an exact match on the matter display number. If no exact match is found, it searches more broadly and uses the first result. If a match is found, the time entry is linked to that matter in Clio. If no match is found, the entry is still created but appears unassigned — you can link it to a matter manually in Clio.

Time conversion. Clio's API expects time quantities in seconds. LexUnits automatically converts the hours shown in your entries (e.g., 0.3 hours) to the equivalent in seconds (1,080 seconds) before sending to the API. The time appears correctly in Clio as 0.3 hours or 18 minutes.

Rate matching. If you have set hourly rates for timekeepers in LexUnits, these rates are included in the push. The entry will show the correct dollar amount in Clio based on the timekeeper's rate and the time recorded.

Compared to XLSX export

LexUnits also supports XLSX export for Clio (and for Actionstep, LEAP, and Smokeball). The difference between Push to Clio and XLSX export is convenience and speed.

With Push to Clio, entries go directly from LexUnits into Clio. There is no file to download, no import process in Clio, no field mapping to verify. One click and it is done. This is the fastest path from meeting recording to Clio time entry.

With XLSX export, you download a spreadsheet file formatted for Clio's import requirements, then upload it into Clio manually. This works well but adds extra steps. It is useful as a fallback if you prefer to review entries in a spreadsheet before importing, or if you need to share the billing data with someone who does not have Clio access.

For LEAP, Actionstep, and Smokeball users

The direct API integration is currently available for Clio only. If you use LEAP, Actionstep, or Smokeball, LexUnits provides XLSX exports formatted specifically for each platform. The export includes the correct column headers, date formats, and field structures expected by each system. API integrations for additional platforms are planned for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LexUnits integrate with Clio?

Yes. LexUnits has a direct API integration with Clio Manage via OAuth 2.0. You connect your Clio account once, and then you can push AI-generated billing entries directly into Clio with one click. Entries are created as time activities in Clio, with automatic matter matching by display number. The integration works for both Australian and New Zealand Clio accounts on the AU instance.

How do I connect LexUnits to Clio?

In LexUnits, click your profile in the sidebar and select "Connect Clio." You will be redirected to Clio's authorisation page where you log in with your Clio credentials and grant LexUnits permission to create time entries. The connection is established in about thirty seconds and persists until you choose to disconnect. You do not need to re-authenticate regularly — tokens refresh automatically.

Can LexUnits match entries to Clio matters automatically?

Yes. When you push entries to Clio, LexUnits reads the matter reference from each entry and searches your Clio matters for a match by display number. If an exact match is found, the entry is automatically linked to that matter in Clio. If no match is found, the entry is still created in Clio but without a matter link — you can assign it to a matter manually within Clio.