Smokeball Release Notes

Archie now works inside Word, Outlook, and your matters with agentic reasoning that delivers reliable answers you can act on.

Legal AI built for the way lawyers work

For most lawyers, AI is a detour. You stop what you're doing, open a separate tool, write a prompt, copy the answer back, and pick up where you left off. It’s useful, but it treats AI as an extra step, not part of how legal work actually happens.

That changes today.

The next generation of Archie AI brings a fundamental shift to how legal AI works in your firm. It's no longer a place you go, it's your AI matter assistant that's built into the way you work and the tools you use—including Microsoft Word and Outlook—with intelligence powered by industry-leading AI models and agentic reasoning to deliver sharper insights, faster actions, and zero guesswork.

This isn't just a feature update. It's a shift in what Archie is: from a tool you go to, to legal AI that works alongside you in every matter. More capable, and more connected to the tools your firm already uses.

What’s new with Archie?

Intelligence you can act on

Archie now delivers advanced intelligence with agentic reasoning

Archie now applies agentic reasoning to every interaction. It dives deeper into your matter context, evaluates its own response, and keeps refining until the answer is complete, well-supported, and verifiable. When you’re ready to act, Archie can turn insights into action by creating tasks, memos, and calendar events with your confirmation. Archie also recognizes legal questions and retrieves relevant legal research from LawY, which is then integrated directly into responses.

What this means for your firm:
Accurate and thorough answers, fewer rounds of rework, and trusted output you can act on with confidence.

Proactive suggestions that anticipate your next step

Archie analyzes your matter in real time and surfaces relevant next steps, suggesting actions and tasks before you think of them. It draws on your Smokeball activity, documents, emails, tasks, and invoices to suggest actions based on where your matter actually stands. Each suggestion shows the recommended action, why Archie is suggesting it, and which files it will use if you choose to execute it. Simply click once to run it.

What this means for your firm:
Clear actions ready to execute, without any prompt writing. Lawyers who aren't sure what to ask Archie get an immediate, contextually relevant starting point the moment they open a matter.

Seamlessly built into your workflow

Powerful AI drafting built into Microsoft Word

Archie is now embedded in Word so you can generate content, refine drafts, and review clauses, all with your matter’s context from Smokeball. Archie operates within the structure of legal documents, proposing precise edits rather than whole rewrites, so your document structure and formatting stay intact. For structured document reviews, build preconfigured playbooks to flag issues by severity and generate suggested updates against your firm's standards. When you open a document, Archie automatically analyzes it and surfaces suggested actions to jumpstart your work. Effortlessly refine your writing with one-click improvements and built-in translations when you need it.

What this means for your firm:
Faster, more accurate drafting without copy-pasting between tools.

➡️ Visit our support article for steps on installing the Archie Word add-in.

Get more done, faster, inside your inbox

Archie now lives inside Outlook as part of Smokeball's new add-in. Summarize lengthy threads, pick from suggested rapid replies, or generate a full draft grounded in your matter's details in seconds. It also allows you to adjust tone, length, and style before sending.

What this means for your firm:
Matter-aware emails drafted inside Outlook, ready to review and send without switching tools.

➡️ Archie in Outlook is available exclusively through our new Outlook add-in. Head to our support article to get started.

Speak to Archie instead of typing

With voice dictation, Archie transcribes your spoken prompt into text in the chat input field. You can then review and edit the prompt before sending, either by speaking again or by typing to finish it off. Voice dictation activates only when you choose. There is no background listening or passive recording.

What this means for your firm:
Capture thoughts in the moment, like after a client call, while reviewing documents, or anywhere typing slows you down.

Results you can trust

Reliable outputs that meet your professional standard

Every Archie response is grounded in real sources, cited for verification, and flagged where ambiguity exists. With tone profiles (coming soon!), Archie ensures every draft reflects your firm's communication style for each audience. Get accurate content and professional standards from the first draft.

What this means for your firm:
Trusted results you can act on with less time spent verifying or re-writing them.

Uncompromised security

Archie operates within your firm's secure Smokeball environment across every workflow touchpoint, including Word and Outlook. Your data is never shared nor used to train AI. We know the importance of keeping your client’s information secure and your ethical obligations are maintained at every step.

Supporting all legal professionals with Archie

Archie supports the realities of how legal professionals work: inside documents, emails, and matters. It eliminates context-switching, reduces repetitive tasks, and delivers trusted outputs that meet professional standards for accuracy, tone, and reliability. It's especially valuable for:

• Lawyers who draft and review documents in Word as a core part of their day
• Legal professionals who live in Outlook and want matter-aware replies without context-switching
• Law firms that have experienced incomplete AI responses and need verifiable, cited output they can rely on
• Practitioners who are interested in AI but haven't found a natural, responsible way to work it into their day
• Firms that want consistent, clear communication across their audiences

How to get started with Archie’s new features

These new features are available for firms to use in Archie now. If you already have Archie as part of your Smokeball subscription, they’re available at no extra cost, no add-ons. If you don’t have Archie yet, reach out to your Account Manager to learn more.

Not a Smokeball user yet? See why smart lawyers use Smokeball.

FAQs

What is "agentic reasoning" in plain English?

It means Archie answers your question step-by-step, cross-referencing your matter and associated documents to gather necessary information, then generating a complete and well-supported response. It also checks against source materials and flags anything ambiguous, so what you get back is cited and ready to use.

Do I need to leave Smokeball to use Archie in Word or Outlook?

No. Archie is embedded inside Microsoft Word as a sidebar and is an add-on in the new version of Outlook. When you open a document or email, Archie automatically connects to the associated matter from Smokeball.

Will Archie rewrite my precedents?

No. Archie for Word operates within the structure of legal documents, proposing targeted edits rather than whole rewrites. Every suggested change is presented for review before it's applied.

Is my data used to train AI?

No. Archie operates within your firm's secure Smokeball environment. Your data is never shared or used to train AI.

How do tone profiles work?

You define writing rules by audience, such as client, third-parties, or your internal team. Archie applies them automatically to every draft, so you set it once and every interaction reflects how your firm communicates. Tone profiles will be coming soon and available to all Archie users.

Can Archie take action, not just answer?

Yes. Archie can create tasks, memos, and calendar events directly from the conversation. It always gets your confirmation before anything is saved.

Is there an extra cost?

If you have Archie enabled for your firm, all of these releases are included as part of your existing Smokeball subscription. If not, talk to your Account Manager or book a demo to learn more.

Original source

New Agentic Model

Archie's engine has been updated to better assist with complex queries and workflows. It will now work through your matter more deliberately, by:

• Checking if there's enough context in your matter before responding
• Giving clear signals when something isn’t fully supported
• Having stronger continuity across multi-step conversations
• Producing answers that are more complete and grounded
• Aiming to reduce the need for follow-up prompts and manual verification

In addition, Archie can now generate slide-style images to help summarise or visually present information.

Archie Word Add-in

You can now use Archie alongside Microsoft Word by installing the Smokeball Archie Word Add-in. This add-in contains many unique features dedicated to document review, and utilizes the in-build Review feature in Word to help you draft documents and correspondence.

Learn how to install and use the Archie Word Add-in.

Create tasks, memos and events in Archie

Archie can now create tasks, memos and calendar events for your matter when prompted to. All actions require explicit user confirmation before execution.

Learn more about creating tasks, memos and events with Archie.

Ask Archie with your voice (Voice Dictation)

You can now use your PC's microphone to talk to Archie. Click on the microphone icon to start recording.

Original source

View all new features and refinements to Smokeball Grow and Prosper+ for this month.

May 4th, 2026

Archie has been updated with the following new features:

New Agentic Model

Archie's engine has been updated to better assist with complex queries and workflows. It will now work through your matter more deliberately, by:

• Checking if there's enough context in your matter before responding
• Giving clear signals when something isn’t fully supported
• Having stronger continuity across multi-step conversations
• Producing answers that are more complete and grounded
• Aiming to reduce the need for follow-up prompts and manual verification

In addition, Archie can now generate slide-style images to help summarise or visually present information.

Archie Word Add-in

You can now use Archie alongside Microsoft Word by installing the Smokeball Archie Word Add-in. This add-in contains many unique features dedicated to document review, and utilizes the in-build Review feature in Word to help you draft documents and correspondence.

Learn how to install and use the Archie Word Add-in.

Create tasks, memos and events in Archie

Archie can now create tasks, memos and calendar events for your matter when prompted to. All actions require explicit user confirmation before execution.

Learn more about creating tasks, memos and events with Archie.

Ask Archie with your voice (Voice Dictation)

You can now use your PC's microphone to talk to Archie. Click on the microphone icon to start recording.

Archie Matter Widget

You can now access Archie from the widget panel on the right-hand side of your matter file.

Original source

This month’s updates help you work through emails faster, capture more accurate client information from the outset, and keeps compliance records and trust accounts in order. Keep reading to see what's new this month.

Our new Outlook add-in for Smokeball’s desktop app is here

Tier: Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and UK

Microsoft is transitioning to the new Outlook, and so are we. Our latest add-in for Smokeball’s desktop app supports new Outlook for Windows and Outlook’s web app, giving you more flexibility to work wherever you need and unlocking new features such as Archie AI and tasks. Your key workflows are supported. You’ll still be able to file emails and attachments to matters, track activity with AutoTime, and send emails directly from Smokeball or Word.

If you’re using Smokeball on the Grow and Prosper+ tiers, switching now gives you immediate access to the latest features as soon as they’re released. Plus, your entire team doesn’t need to move at once; you can switch at your own pace.

We'll continue to support classic Outlook for as long as Microsoft does (at least until 2029), but no new features or enhancements will be added. Our focus is on the latest add-in, and switching sooner means fewer disruptions as Microsoft continues its transition.

If you’re on the Boost tier, you now have access to Archie AI and tasks in the Outlook add-in.

Learn more about our new Outlook add-in:
US | AU | UK

See how:
US | AU | UK

AML/CTF compliance tools to help you reduce risk and admin

Tier: Grow, Prosper+
Region: AU

With Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) obligations expanding for Australian law firms, many practices are starting to think about how they’ll manage client due diligence, risk assessments, and compliance documentation.

To help, we’ve introduced new AML compliance features directly inside Smokeball. Through our enhanced integration with InfoTrack, firms can run AML checks, track risk assessments, and maintain compliance records without leaving Smokeball.

Learn more about our AML/CMF updates
See how

Translated intake forms your clients can complete with confidence

Tier: Included on Prosper+, or as part of the Intake add-on for Boost and Grow.
Region: US, AU and UK

Collect more accurate, complete client information from the outset with multilingual forms. Our forms support built-in translation across ten languages, presenting questions in your client's preferred language so they can respond with confidence.

See how:
US | AU | UK

Your trust records, anchored to when transactions occurred

Tier: Bill, Boost, Grow, Prosper+
Region: US and UK

Keep trust records aligned with when transactions occurred, not when you entered them, by setting the transaction dates for reversals and deletions. Both the transaction date and the entered date appear in summaries and reports, giving your firm a complete audit trail. By allowing reversals and deletions to be dated to the transaction date, trust balances will be more accurately reflected at the intended point in time.

Note: Deleting a transaction reverses it and hides it; the transaction remains on record but is hidden from the default ledger view and can be made visible again at any time.

See how

Clear, formatted intake forms your clients can follow

Tier: Included on Prosper+, or as part of the Intake add-on for Boost and Grow
Region: US, AU and UK

Bullet points, numbered lists, and indents built directly into the form builder let you present information, and questions in a format that's easy to scan and follow. A fixed toolbar keeps those options in reach alongside existing formatting such as bold, underline, italic, heading styles, and hyperlinks, so everything you need is in one place

Original source

Regarding Microsoft emails hosted on GoDaddy

The New Outlook integration does not support Microsoft 365 email accounts hosted on GoDaddy.

Connecting to New Outlook

1. Open Outlook in the web browser or the Outlook (new) app from your PC.
2. Select the Apps icon on the left panel and then select Add apps.
3. Search for Smokeball in the search bar and click on "Smokeball for Outlook".
4. Select Add.
5. Once the app has been successfully added, navigate back to your Outlook inbox.
6. Select an email and click on the Apps icon on the right-hand corner of the email.
7. Select Smokeball for Outlook. The Smokeball toolbar will appear from the right-hand side of the screen.
8. Confirm your Country and click on Connect to Smokeball.
9. A new window will open in your browser. Follow the prompts to log in. You may also be asked to log in to Microsoft to authorize the connection.
10. Once you have logged in successfully, the Smokeball for Outlook toolbar will appear on the right-hand side. This is where your most recently worked on matters in Smokeball will appear.
11. For your convenience, select the Pin icon to keep the toolbar in view every time you use Outlook.

If you accidentally close the toolbar, you can access it again by selecting the Apps icon in the email as seen in Step 6.

1. We also recommend adding Smokeball as an action in your reading pane, so that the Smokeball icon appears on your Add-ins bar at the top of the screen, and on the top-right corner of every email, for easy access.

Assigning an email to a matter

1. To save an email to a matter, click on the Assign to matter section and select Assign under a relevant matter.
2. If the client linked to the matter has other matters with your firm, they may show up as Smart Matched Matters for you to save time assigning them.
3. Once assigned, the email will then appear in the Emails tab of the matter, as an .eml file.

Saving email attachments to a matter

Once you have assigned an email to a matter, you can choose which attachments you wish to save to Smokeball. Select the Attachments section to view a list of all attachments. Then, tick the ones to save and select Save Attachments to Matter.

Note: When attachments are selected and saved to a matter, they are successfully stored. However, upon re-checking, the UI may display them as not attached. This is a Microsoft limitation.

Composing an email from Smokeball

With the New Outlook Add-in, composing a new email from Smokeball will trigger New Outlook to open, and the email will automatically save back to the matter in the Smokeball Desktop App upon sending.

To send an email from Smokeball:

1. From your matter, navigate to the Emails tab and select the Email icon.
2. Add the recipients to the email from the To, Cc and Bcc fields. If you have Archie, you can ask it to write a draft at this point. There's another opportunity to use Archie later in Outlook, if you prefer.
3. Select Continue to Outlook.
4. New Outlook will open a New Draft Email window. Select the pencil icon on the top-right corner of the email in order to compose your email.

Note: You may have to log in to Outlook again if it's the first time you are composing an email after installing the New Outlook integration.

1. Select Apps from the toolbar, then select Smokeball for Outlook again to display the Smokeball toolbar. This is where you can view the matter that this email will save to, and also attach any files from the matter to your email.
2. Compose your email in the main window.

If you have the Archie add-on, you can select a Rapid Reply or Draft with Archie from the Smokeball toolbar.

Rapid Reply displays some AI-generated responses you can quickly insert into the email.

Use Draft with Archie to enter a prompt for Archie AI to work with when generating a draft email.

1. Once you are done composing your email, select Send.

Note: You will be redirected to the New Draft Email window after sending. This is expected behavior and it is safe to close that window at this point. If you don't close the window, it will automatically close after a few seconds. Disregard the "[Draft] This message hasn't been sent." messaging.

1. Your sent email will appear on the matter.

Creating a task from an email

The Tasks section in the Smokeball toolbar shows the top six upcoming tasks related to the matter. From this screen, you can also add a new task:

1. Click on Add Task.
2. Enter the details of the task. The Subject field is mandatory, while all other fields are optional.
3. Select Save Task.

Notes:

• It may take a few minutes for tasks created via New Outlook to appear in Smokeball.
• In the Assignee view, clicking anywhere within the add-in will close it as expected. However, if the Assignee view is open and the user clicks outside the add-in (anywhere else on the screen), it will not close.

Reverting back to Classic Outlook

If you wish to revert back to using the Classic Outlook integration, you can do so at any time by clicking Logout on the bottom corner of the New Outlook toolbar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of Microsoft accounts are supported?

The New Outlook Add-in only works if you are using Microsoft 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Education accounts. Personal Microsoft accounts (e.g. Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live) are not supported.

Am I on a version of Outlook that can run the New Outlook Add-in?

The New Outlook add‑in is supported on the following Microsoft 365 platforms:

• Outlook on Windows (Microsoft 365)
• Outlook on Mac (Microsoft 365)
• Outlook on the web (https://outlook.office.com/)

I'm getting an "Admin approval required" message.

This message is related to your organisation's Microsoft 365 permissions. To resolve this, contact your IT administrator to enable access to add-ins in Outlook.

The New Outlook Add-in disappeared when I switched inbox.

The add‑in will only appear when you have your Microsoft 365 Business or Education inbox selected.

It will not appear when viewing:

• Personal Outlook.com or Hotmail accounts
• Gmail or other third‑party email accounts

This is because these types of accounts do not support the new add‑in system used by Microsoft. The add‑in may appear and disappear depending on which mailbox you are currently viewing.

Original source

Version 9.16 of the Smokeball Desktop App is gradually rolling out to all users, and contains the following new features and refinements.

New Features

Prevent duplicate emails from being saved to a matter

When multiple staff save the same email to the same matter, the email will be saved one time, preventing duplication of emails that clutter the documents list.

An email is flagged as a duplicate if all three of the following conditions are true:

1. The email has already been saved to the same matter
2. The email is stored in the same folder within that matter
3. The email has the same file name

If it does not meet all these conditions, it will continue to be saved to the matter.

Save and duplicate option when creating time/fee/expense entries

You can now quickly duplicate a time, fee or expense entry when you need to record the same or very similar work on another matter.

Note: The Save & Duplicate action is not available for Timers, Grouped Time Entries, editing the Time/Fee/Expense on the right-hand-side panel, or Archie/AutoTime-generated entries.

Firm override of timekeeper classifications

You can now set a firm-wide default for the timekeeper classification code format used in LEDES billing files. The code can be between 2-6 characters, and can be overridden at the matter level if needed.

Access the timekeeper classifications setting from Smokeball Settings > Time & Billing > UTBMS Billing:

Matter override of LEDES Client ID

You can now override the LEDES Client ID on a per-matter basis in the Smokeball Desktop App. This allows you to specify a unique Client ID for each matter when generating LEDES billing files, rather than relying on a single Client ID for a client's matters.

This option can be found under the Matter Info > Billing tab in a matter:

Note: The override applies only to the current matter and is reflected in the generated LEDES file.

Refinements

New Outlook Integration - send emails directly from Word

You can now compose and send emails (with documents such as body text, Word or PDF attachments) to New Outlook when clicking on the Send button in Microsoft Word.

Sortable columns in Time & Fees and Expenses tabs

You can now sort the Matter Number, Matter, Billable and Billed columns of the Time & Fees and Expenses tabs.

Original source

Smokeball’s new Outlook Add-in for Microsoft 365 is now available

Smokeball’s new Outlook Add-in for Microsoft 365 is now available, bringing smarter, faster ways to manage email directly from your inbox. The add-in helps legal teams work more efficiently with improved filing, email-to-task creation directly within Smokeball, and new Archie AI features for drafting responses. With improved auto-filing, the ability to create Smokeball tasks from emails, and new Archie AI features to help draft tailored emails, the add-in is designed to help legal teams get more done with less effort.

Built for the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web, the latest add-in now supports Smokeball's Grow and Prosper+ tiers, in addition to Boost, and is ready for Microsoft’s shift away from classic Outlook.

Built for how growing law firms work

At Smokeball, we help growing law firms work more efficiently, deliver better client service, and streamline the ‘busywork’. Email is at the center of that work, so your Outlook integration needs to be fast, reliable, and intuitive.

Smokeball’s new Outlook Add-in keeps every client email, attachment, and note connected to the right matter, without adding extra admin. Whether your team works in desktop Outlook or in a browser, the add-in offers the same seamless experience.

With just a few clicks, staff can file emails and attachments to the correct matter. The add-in takes care of the rest in the background, helping maintain a complete communication record while saving time on manual filing.

What’s new in the latest Outlook Add-in

As Microsoft transitions customers away from Classic Outlook, many firms told us they needed a modern Outlook integration that would not disrupt existing workflows. This release delivers exactly that, while adding new intelligence and automation along the way.

Key updates include:

1. Support for new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web
   One add-in that works consistently across modern Microsoft 365 experiences.

2. Archie AI and task creation from Outlook
   Turn emails into action without leaving your inbox.

3. Mobile app support (coming soon)
   File emails and attachments when you’re on the go with the Outlook mobile app.

4. Matter suggestions as you file
   When filing an email, the add-in surfaces recent matters and, where available, smart matter suggestions, so you can file to the right one without searching

5. Always-on email and attachment capture
   Emails and attachments are reliably saved in the background - even when Outlook isn’t open or your device isn’t active.

6. Dark mode option
   Choose dark mode to reduce eye strain, especially during long periods of screen use.

Together, these enhancements keep work organized, visible, and moving forward.

Ready for Microsoft’s new Outlook experience

The new Smokeball Outlook Add-in is built on Microsoft’s modern add-in framework, ensuring compatibility as Microsoft phases out classic Outlook.

Your team can continue saving emails, tracking activity with AutoTime, and jumping into Smokeball directly from Outlook, without workflow disruption. By aligning with Microsoft’s roadmap, the add-in helps future-proof your firm and reduces the risk of last-minute changes when classic Outlook support ends.

Turn emails into action with Archie and tasks

Much of a firm’s work starts in the inbox, including new inquiries, client updates, document reviews, and follow-ups. The new Outlook Add-in brings Smokeball’s intelligence closer to where that work begins.

With Archie AI, Smokeball’s AI matter assistant, you can:

1. See what’s been discussed at a glance with email thread summaries.
2. Generate tailored emails guided by matter details such as key dates, contacts, tasks, and documents, without leaving Outlook.
3. Easily refine email drafts before sending by adjusting tone, length, or writing style.

You can also create Smokeball tasks directly from linked emails, ensuring that actions and follow-ups are tracked immediately and at the matter level rather than lost in individual inboxes.

Transitioning to the new Outlook Add-in

Firms will continue to have access to classic Outlook in Smokeball for as long as Microsoft supports it, so there’s no immediate need to change. However, as Microsoft shifts its focus to the new Outlook experience, Smokeball will not be adding new features or enhancements to classic Outlook going forward. This update is about providing clarity on where Microsoft is headed and where we’re investing, so you can make the move when the timing is right for your firm.

When you do choose to transition, you’ll gain access to the latest features, improvements, and innovations as they’re released. To use the new add-in, you'll need a paid Microsoft 365 email account, available with Business and Education plans. There’s also no need for everyone in your team to switch at once. You can have some team members stay on classic Outlook while others use new Outlook with the latest add-in.

Ready to learn more?

Learn more about how to transition to the new Outlook add-in by visiting the support hub article.
Learn more about Archie AI.
Get in touch with the team at Smokeball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Smokeball build a new Outlook Add-in?

Microsoft is transitioning from "classic" Outlook to a "new Outlook" experience. Our new add-in is built on Microsoft’s modern web-based framework to ensure your firm remains future-proof.

How is this different from the Classic Outlook integration?

Unlike the classic Outlook integration, the new add-in is built specifically for Microsoft’s modern Outlook experience. It works consistently across desktop, web, and mobile Outlook and supports Microsoft’s move away from classic Outlook without disrupting how your firm works today.

Which versions of Outlook are supported?

Smokeball’s new Outlook add-in supports:

• New Outlook for Windows
• Outlook on the Web
• Outlook mobile app

Classic Outlook for Windows is not supported by this add-in, in line with Microsoft’s transition to the new Outlook.

What are the requirements to use the new add-in?

You must have a Microsoft 365 business account. The add-in is not compatible with one-time purchase versions of Office (such as Office 2019 or 2021) that do not include M365 cloud services.

Does this work with M365 accounts purchased through 3rd Party resellers (e.g., GoDaddy)?

Currently, full compatibility with Microsoft 365 accounts provisioned through third-party resellers (such as GoDaddy) is out of scope for the current release. These resellers often use custom authentication layers that may interfere with the add-in. Support for these environments is captured on our future roadmap.

Original source

17 March, 2026

Version 9.15 of the Smokeball Desktop App is now available to all users. Version 9.15 contains the following new features and refinements:

• Workflows no longer trigger on closed matters

  • Fixed an issue where Workflows were automatically triggering when viewing a Closed matter for the first time (usually after a data migration).

• Branch filter added to the Matter List

  • You can now filter your Matter List by
  • Branch.

• Enable user license upon creating a new staff member

  • When adding a new user in
  • Staff & User settings, you will be prompted to enable a license upon saving the user, if this has not already been done.
  • If you would like to activate them on a later date, you can do so by selecting
  • No on the prompt.

• Improvements to Data Backup

  • The
  • Smokeball Settings
  • Data Backup tool to back up Matters and Contacts has been updated:
  • •
    • Select
    • Create Data Backup in the
    • Matters & Contacts tab to generate a data backup of your Contacts, Matters and Matter Roles in a .CSV.
  • •
    • You can now only access data backups from within the Data Backup section in Smokeball Settings. Previously, data backups were sent via email, which posed a security concern.
  • •
    • Data Backups will expire 7 days after they are requested.

• Notable Bug Fixes

  • •
    • Fixed a bug where some matter activity was not recorded if the matter was opened for the first time or the matter type was changed.
  • •
    • Fixed a bug where the Billing widget erroneously appeared in Lead files.
  • •
    • Fixed a bug where after a Staff Role was re-assigned on a Matter, the new assignee was not notified of the assignment.
  • •
    • Fixed a bug where the Confirm Workflow window did not appear when opening a lead or matter for the first time.
  • •
    • Fixed a bug where Asks were not appearing in the correct order when generating a document.
  • •
    • Fixed a bug where matter layout windows appeared blank upon opening.
  • •
    • Resolved the error "Some files were not saved to the matter" when assigning emails to matter.
  • •
    • Fixed an issue with saving Documents and Excel spreadsheets.

5 March, 2026

We have made the following refinements in the Smokeball Web App:

• • The Invoices List now contains filters for Timekeeper and Originating Attorney.
• • The Originating Attorney filter now appears on the following sections:
  • Create Invoices
  • Finalize with Payments
  • Trust to Office
  • Reminders
• • A
  • Reconciliation Reporting tab is now available next to the Bank Reconciliation tab. For each completed reconciliation, Smokeball creates a single PDF containing:
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Trust Balances Report (as at the reconciliation end date, for the reconciled account)
  • Account Balance Receipts Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)
  • Account Balance Payments Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)
  • Account Balance Transfers Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)
• • A new
  • Save & Duplicate button is now available when recording time/fees/expenses. This does not apply to timers, grouped time entries, right-hand-panel editing, or AutoTime-generated time entry links and Archie buttons.

Original source

This month's updates give your firm more control over the moments that matter, from how clients first encounter your firm to how your team drafts emails, bills, and meets its compliance obligations.
Keep reading to see what's new this month.

Draft Email with Archie: AI email drafting, now built into your workflow

Tier: Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and GB
Draft client emails faster with Archie, now built directly into the Smokeball Desktop email workflow. Instead of starting from a blank page in Outlook, you can describe what the email should say and Archie will generate a first draft using matter details, recipients, and any attached documents.
This makes it easier to send clear, professional emails without switching back and forth to check dates, documents, or context. Once you’re happy with the draft, continue to Outlook with the email body already filled in and ready to review, edit, and send.
See how:

• US | AU | GB

Brand your intake forms to make a strong first impression

Tier: Boost, Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and GB
Give your new clients a consistent, branded experience from their first interaction with your firm. With the Branding tab in your form settings, you can apply your brand color, logo, and preferred styling to all intake forms, including forms embedded on your website. Choose how your header appears, set the shapes of input fields and buttons, and preview changes in real-time before publishing.
See how:

• US | AU | GB

Refine your prompts instantly with Archie

Tier: Boost, Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and GB
Writing the right AI prompt can be tricky to get the output you're aiming for. To help make it easier, we've launched Archie Improve Prompt to instantly improve what you have already written. Archie helps clarify structure, reduce ambiguity, and strengthen your instructions while preserving your legal intent. You get a clearer, more effective prompt without having to create a detailed prompt from scratch. Refine in seconds, run with confidence, and get better AI results with ease.
See how:

• US | AU | GB

Filter invoices by originating attorney and timekeeper

Tier: Bill, Boost, Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and GB
You can now filter the Invoices tab by originating attorney (i.e., introducer) and timekeeper to quickly narrow invoice lists for review and approval workflows. The originating attorney filter is also available across the other tabs on the Invoices page.

Download trust statement exports through authenticated, secure links

Tier: Bill, Boost, Grow, Prosper+
Region: US, AU and GB
Trust statement exports (i.e., retainer statements in the US) are more secure and available for longer, with authenticated downloads that remain active for 7 days. Downloadable files are now delivered through an authenticated landing page within our platform. Access requires your standard login credentials, including any two-factor or SSO authentication your firm uses. Expiry dates are shown in both the notification email and the landing page, so you always know how long you have to download your files.

Original source

Streamline intake, preserve client context, and reduce admin by connecting HubSpot to your practice management software

Written by Smokeball

March 11, 2026

4 min read

Smokeball’s enhanced HubSpot integration is now available, giving growing U.S. law firms a seamless way to connect
HubSpot CRM with legal practice management software. Designed for firms using HubSpot to manage contacts, marketing, and deals, the integration supports a smoother transition from first interaction to active legal matter.

As more
mid-sized firms choose Smokeball as their legal practice management platform, many already rely on HubSpot to manage client relationships and business development. This integration brings those systems together, allowing law firms to scale without disrupting established workflows.

Built for how modern U.S. law firms use HubSpot

At Smokeball, our mission is to help growing law firms work more efficiently, deliver better client service, and streamline the busywork. For many firms, HubSpot plays a central role long before legal work begins.

Law firms commonly use HubSpot CRM to manage contacts, track enquiries and deals, run email campaigns, and capture interactions across marketing and intake teams. Rather than asking firms to change how they use HubSpot, Smokeball’s integration is designed to support those workflows and connect them seamlessly with legal matter management.

HubSpot remains the system of record for CRM and deal activity, while Smokeball becomes the system of record for legal work. Together, they create a connected experience across the full client lifecycle.

Better together: Smokeball’s practice management and HubSpot CRM software for lawyers

As law firms grow, disconnected systems can slow teams down. Client information often lives in one platform, while legal work happens in another, leading to unnecessary system switching, duplicated data entry, and lost context.

As firms mature, their use of HubSpot typically expands beyond basic contact management to include deal tracking and detailed client interactions. The Smokeball + HubSpot integration is designed to support these more advanced workflows, connecting business development and matter management seamlessly.

By allowing firms to control how data is synced and ensuring relevant deal context flows into Smokeball at the right time, legal teams can start matters with greater visibility and confidence when a deal is won.

This supports:

• Smoother handovers between marketing, intake, and legal teams
• Better-informed lawyers and support staff
• Less manual data entry and duplicated effort
• A more consistent and professional client experience

For firms using HubSpot for legal services, the integration creates continuity from prospect to client to matter, reflecting Smokeball’s ongoing commitment to listening to customers and evolving our platform in line with how growing U.S. firms actually work.

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What’s included in the Smokeball + HubSpot integration

The enhanced
HubSpot legal practice management integration gives firms flexibility, control, and richer data connectivity.

Flexible sync direction

Choose the direction of contact syncing when enabling the integration. Firms can sync contacts from Smokeball to HubSpot or from HubSpot to Smokeball, depending on where their CRM data is managed.

Customizable sync scope

Select how much data is synced:

• Contacts only
• Contacts and won deals

Smarter deal-to-matter creation

When a HubSpot deal is marked as
Closed Won , a general matter is created in Smokeball. In addition, key HubSpot activities attached to the deal can be carried across, including:

• Notes, created as Notes in Smokeball
• Tasks, created as Tasks in Smokeball
• Meetings, created as completed Tasks with recorded duration using the Meeting category
• Calls, created as completed Tasks with recorded duration using the Phone Message category

This ensures legal teams can see relevant client interactions directly within Smokeball.

Built around customer needs

This integration reflects direct feedback from firms using both HubSpot and Smokeball at scale. Customers told us they wanted greater control over how data flowed between systems and better continuity when a deal transitioned into active legal work.

By enhancing the integration in this way, Smokeball continues to support growing U.S. law firms with tools that reduce friction, streamline workflows, and improve collaboration across teams.

Ready to learn more?

Learn how to set up the HubSpot integration with Smokeball.

https://support.smokeball.com/hc/en-us/articles/30106320242967-HubSpot-Integration

Learn more about HubSpot for law firms.

https://www.hubspot.com/inbound-marketing-for-legal-services

Get in touch with the team at Smokeball.

https://www.smokeball.com/book-demo

FAQs

What are the benefits of integrating HubSpot with legal practice management software?

Connecting HubSpot with your practice management platform reduces manual data entry and keeps client context intact as work moves between teams. Won deals and their associated activities carry across Smokeball automatically, and syncing contacts back to HubSpot gives your marketing team an up-to-date audience to work with. Your firm gets a connected loop between intake, matter management, and marketing.

Is there an additional cost for the integration?

No, the HubSpot integration is available to firms already on Smokeball at no extra charge. There's no add-on fee or separate license required. Simply connect through HubSpot and select the sync option that suits your firm's workflow.

Does the integration support multiple deal pipelines?

Yes. If your firm uses a paid HubSpot plan with more than one deal pipeline, the integration automatically detects and supports each of them. No extra configuration is needed on Smokeball’s side, so your existing setup works as-is.

How do I connect HubSpot to Smokeball?

You can connect to Smokeball directly from within your HubSpot account. Select your region, log in to your account, accept the terms and conditions, and you'll see a confirmation once connected. From there, open HubSpot's connected apps list, select Smokeball, and select your preferred sync settings.

Does Smokeball have its own intake features?

Yes, if your firm prefers a single system for intake and matter management, Smokeball includes built-in
intake forms to capture leads on your website and collect information from new clients during onboarding. This can work alongside or independently of HubSpot, depending on how your firm manages new enquiries and clients.

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Original source

5 March, 2026

View all new features and refinements to Smokeball Bill and Boost for this month.

• The Invoices List now contains filters for Timekeeper and Originating Attorney.

• The Originating Attorney filter now appears on the following sections:

  • Create Invoices
  • Finalize with Payments
  • Trust to Office
  • Reminders

• A Reconciliation Reporting tab is now available next to the Bank Reconciliation tab. For each completed reconciliation, Smokeball creates a single PDF containing:

  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Trust Balances Report (as at the reconciliation end date, for the reconciled account)
  • Account Balance Receipts Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)
  • Account Balance Payments Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)
  • Account Balance Transfers Report (for the reconciliation date range and account)

• A new Save & Duplicate button is now available when recording time/fees/expenses. This does not apply to timers, grouped time entries, right-hand-panel editing, or AutoTime-generated time entry links and Archie buttons.

Original source