Data Model
Overview
Narrative extracts and labels over 40 relevant data points to generate rich, structured matter profiles. These data points fall into four categories:
Core Metadata — Basic matter identifiers and descriptors
Phase-Level Analytics — Breakdown by stage, task, and timeline
Resource Analytics — Team composition and staffing patterns
Contextual Outcomes — Results, benchmarks, and pricing KPIs
Core Metadata
Note: references to inferred sources is a reference to the information inferred from the time entries
matter_id
Unique identifier
Data Lake/PMS
matter_name
Matter name/description
Data Lake/PMS
client_name
Client identifier
Data Lake/PMS
client_industry
Client's industry/sector
Inferred/DMS
counterparty
Opposing party (if applicable)
Data Lake/DMS
practice_area
Primary practice area
Data Lake/PMS
matter_type
Specific matter type (M&A, Litigation, etc.)
PMS/Inferred
sector
Industry sector of the work
Inferred
jurisdiction
Primary jurisdiction
PMS/Inferred
multi_jurisdiction
Flag for cross-border matters
Inferred
currency
Primary billing currency
Data Lake/PMS
open_date
Matter start date
Data Lake/PMS
close_date
Matter completion date
Data Lake/PMS
duration_days
Total matter duration
Calculated
total_hours
Total hours worked
Data Lake/PMS
total_fees
Total fees at standard rates
Data Lake/PMS
total_fees_client
Total fees at client rates
Data Lake/PMS
tags
Keywords and classifications
PMS/Inferred
Phase-Level Analytics
For each phase identified in a matter:
phase_name
Phase identifier (e.g., Due Diligence, Discovery)
Inferred
phase_order
Sequence position in matter lifecycle
Inferred
phase_start_date
When phase began
Inferred
phase_end_date
When phase completed
Inferred
phase_duration_days
Phase length
Calculated
phase_hours
Hours worked in phase
Calculated
phase_fees
Fees incurred in phase
Calculated
phase_percent_of_total
Phase as % of total matter
Calculated
key_tasks
Major tasks within phase
Inferred
key_deliverables
Work products produced
Inferred
phase_team
Roles involved in phase
Calculated
Fully Customizable Phase Taxonomy
Narrative does not force a rigid "one-size-fits-all" taxonomy. Instead, the phase model is fully customizable to match the specific workflow of each practice area. Below are examples of how detailed these taxonomies can be for specific matter types:
Debt Capital Markets Matters involving the issuance and management of debt securities for corporates and financial institutions.
Engagement, Intake & Information Controls
Deal Strategy & Structuring
Due Diligence & Disclosure Readiness
Principal Agreement Drafting, Pricing & Risk Allocation
Operational Ancillaries & Transition Arrangements
Regulatory Filings & Third-Party Consents
Signing-to-Closing Execution, Financing & Closing Mechanics
Post-Closing: True-Up, Claims & Integration
International Arbitration Matters involving the conduct and resolution of international arbitration proceedings from initiation to enforcement.
Initiation Phase
Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal
Preliminary/Procedural Phase
Written Pleadings Phase
Document Production Phase
Fact and Expert Evidence Phase
Hearing Phase
Post-Hearing Phase
Deliberations and Award
Post-Award Phase
M&A Matters involving buy- or sell-side corporate transactions (acquisitions, disposals, carve-outs, mergers).
Origination & Mandate
Structuring & Strategy
Due Diligence
Regulatory & FDI Screening
Merger Control & Antitrust
Financing & Capital Markets
Transaction Documentation (SPA/TSA/RWI)
Data Privacy & Data Transfers (GDPR)
Separation & Day-1 Readiness
Closing & Post-Closing
Patent Litigation Matters involving the conduct and resolution of patent-infringement litigation proceedings from complaint to judgment and appeal.
Intake & Case Setup
Pleadings & Early Motions
Discovery
Claim Construction
Dispositive Motions
Pretrial & Trial
Post-Trial & Appeal
Parallel Proceedings (PTAB/ITC)
Real Estate Transactions Covers the end-to-end lifecycle of real estate asset and portfolio acquisitions, dispositions, and developments.
Origination & Mandate
LOI & Exclusivity
Structuring & Tax/JV
Property Due Diligence
Financing
Transaction Documentation
Consents & Approvals
Closing, Escrow & Recording
Post-Closing Filings & Onboarding
Adjustments & Claims
Resource Analytics
team_size
Number of timekeepers
Calculated
hours_by_role
Hours breakdown by role level
Calculated
fees_by_role
Fees breakdown by role level
Calculated
leverage_ratio
Associate:Partner hours ratio
Calculated
blended_rate
Average hourly rate across matter
Calculated
rate_distribution
Rate spread (min, max, median)
Calculated
lead_partner
Primary responsible partner
Inferred
key_associates
Top contributors by hours
Calculated
utilization_pattern
How effort distributed over time
Calculated
Role Classification
Partner
Partner, Of Counsel, Director
Senior Associate
Senior Associate, Counsel, Managing Associate
Mid Associate
Associate (4-6 PQE)
Junior Associate
Associate (1-3 PQE), Trainee
Paralegal
Paralegal, Legal Assistant
Other
Project Manager, eDiscovery, Support
Contextual Outcomes
outcome_type
Result category (Won, Settled, Closed, etc.)
DMS/Inferred
outcome_detail
Specific outcome description
DMS
deal_value
Transaction value (if applicable)
DMS/Inferred
value_band
Value category (e.g., £10-50M)
Calculated
settlement_amount
Settlement value (if applicable)
DMS
opposing_counsel
Opposing law firm(s)
Time entries/DMS
complexity_score
Relative matter complexity
Calculated
key_assumptions
Notable scope factors
Inferred
scope_notes
Complexity drivers, unusual factors
Inferred
Pricing KPIs
actual_vs_budget
Budget variance (if budget available)
(Actual - Budget) / Budget
realization_rate
Collected / Billed
From PMS if available
write_off_amount
Total write-offs
From PMS
write_off_rate
Write-offs / Standard fees
Calculated
fee_per_phase
Average fee by phase type
Calculated
hours_per_phase
Average hours by phase type
Calculated
cost_efficiency
Fee per outcome unit (if applicable)
Calculated
Future SALI Alignment
We are actively working to map all matter types, practice areas, and task classifications to the SALI (Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry) taxonomy as part of our product roadmap:
Matter Types: Planned alignment with SALI Matter Type codes
Practice Areas: Planned alignment with SALI Legal Practice Area codes
Tasks: Planned alignment with SALI Task codes
This will ensure:
Consistency with industry standards
Interoperability with other SALI-compliant systems
Comparability with external benchmarks
Future-proofing as standards evolve
Data Quality Indicators
Each matter profile includes quality metadata:
data_completeness
% of expected fields populated
narrative_quality
Assessment of time entry descriptiveness
confidence_score
Overall confidence in enrichment accuracy
flags
Any data quality warnings
last_updated
When profile was last refreshed
This allows users to understand how much to trust each profile and identify matters that may need manual review.
Sample Matter Profile
{
"matter_id": "M-2023-0456",
"matter_name": "Project Atlas - Cross-Border Acquisition",
"client_name": "TechCorp Inc",
"practice_area": "Corporate/M&A",
"matter_type": "Acquisition",
"sector": "Technology",
"jurisdiction": ["England & Wales", "Germany", "US-Delaware"],
"multi_jurisdiction": true,
"open_date": "2023-01-15",
"close_date": "2023-07-30",
"duration_days": 196,
"total_hours": 2847,
"total_fees": 1425000,
"total_fees_standard": 1583000,
"total_fees_client": 1425000,
"deal_value": 85000000,
"value_band": "£50-100M",
"phases": [
{
"phase_name": "Due Diligence",
"phase_hours": 892,
"phase_fees": 446000,
"phase_percent": 0.313,
"phase_duration_days": 45,
"key_tasks": ["Financial DD", "Legal DD", "Tax DD", "IP Review"],
"key_deliverables": ["DD Report", "Risk Matrix"],
"staff_mix": {
"Partner": 0.10,
"Senior Associate": 0.30,
"Junior Associate": 0.50,
"Paralegal": 0.10
}
},
{
"phase_name": "Negotiation",
"phase_hours": 1204,
"phase_fees": 602000,
"phase_percent": 0.423,
"phase_duration_days": 90,
"key_tasks": ["SPA Drafting", "Disclosure Schedule", "Ancillary Docs"],
"key_deliverables": ["Share Purchase Agreement", "Disclosure Letter"],
"staff_mix": {
"Partner": 0.20,
"Senior Associate": 0.50,
"Junior Associate": 0.30,
"Paralegal": 0.00
}
},
{
"phase_name": "Closing",
"phase_hours": 751,
"phase_fees": 377000,
"phase_percent": 0.264,
"phase_duration_days": 61,
"key_tasks": ["Condition Satisfaction", "Signing", "Completion"],
"key_deliverables": ["Closing Checklist", "Completion Documents"],
"staff_mix": {
"Partner": 0.15,
"Senior Associate": 0.35,
"Junior Associate": 0.20,
"Paralegal": 0.30
}
}
],
"team": {
"team_size": 12,
"leverage_ratio": 3.2,
"blended_rate": 500,
"hours_by_role": {
"Partner": 425,
"Senior Associate": 1150,
"Junior Associate": 890,
"Paralegal": 382
}
},
"outcome": {
"outcome_type": "Closed",
"outcome_detail": "Successfully completed",
"opposing_counsel": "Freshfields",
"complexity_score": "High"
},
"quality": {
"data_completeness": 0.94,
"narrative_quality": "Good",
"confidence_score": 0.92,
"flags": []
}
}Last updated