North Carolina State Bar Announces Member Access to Trust Accounting and Billing Software

The North Carolina State Bar today announced an arrangement that will provide active members with access to trust accounting and billing software offered by Smokeball at no cost to participating attorneys.

The initiative is intended to support attorneys in managing trust accounting responsibilities and complying with North Carolina trust accounting requirements through the availability of optional technology resources.

The State Bar has recently undertaken efforts to modernize and clarify trust accounting guidance and compliance resources for members. This initiative complements those efforts by increasing awareness of available tools that may assist attorneys in maintaining trust accounting records and managing billing functions.

Solo and small-firm practitioners often manage trust accounting through manual processes or multiple disconnected systems. Software tools designed for legal practice management may help firms organize records, reconcile accounts, and maintain documentation related to client funds and billing activities.

“Trust accounting is one of the most important professional responsibilities attorneys undertake,” said Peter Bolac, executive director of the North Carolina State Bar. “The State Bar continues to explore ways to provide educational resources and practical tools that may assist lawyers in meeting their professional obligations and managing their practices effectively.”

The software made available through this arrangement includes features intended to assist firms with trust accounting and billing functions, including reconciliation tools, audit tracking, and invoicing capabilities.

“We appreciate the opportunity to make our trust accounting and billing software available to North Carolina attorneys,” said Jane Oxley, CRO and co-founder of Smokeball. “We hope this resource helps firms streamline administrative tasks and devote more time to serving clients.”

Participation in the program is voluntary, and attorneys are not required to use any particular software provider or technology platform to comply with trust accounting obligations. The North Carolina State Bar does not endorse or recommend any commercial product, service, or company, and attorneys remain responsible for selecting the tools and systems that best meet their individual practice needs and compliance obligations.

This is Smokeball's 27th free product partnership with a State Bar or State Bar Association, extending access to its technology to more than 750,000 lawyers across the United States. State Bar members can learn more about Smokeball’s free product offering with the North Carolina State Bar on the State Bar's website.