Smokeball is a cloud-based legal practice management software company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a strong presence in the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. It is designed to help small and mid-sized law firms streamline operations, improve billing accuracy, and enhance client service through automation and integrated tools. Smokeball is known for being the first and only platform that automatically tracks time and activity for legal professionals, regardless of billing model—hourly, fixed fee, or contingency.
Smokeball was founded in 2010 by Hunter Steele, a legal tech entrepreneur with a vision to simplify law firm management through intelligent software. Since its inception, the company has grown steadily, reaching an estimated 154 employees by 2025. Although it experienced a temporary dip in headcount (-26% year-over-year), Smokeball remains a key player in the legal tech space, serving thousands of law firms globally.
Smokeball has raised a total of $30 million in funding through a private round completed in 2021, backed by private investors and employee shareholders. The funding was aimed at expanding its team and accelerating the development of proprietary technologies, including AI-powered features. The company also received a $959K PPP loan in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its estimated annual revenue is $24.6 million, with a revenue-per-employee ratio of approximately $159.5K.
Smokeball’s platform includes a wide range of features tailored to legal professionals:
These features are bundled into tiered plans such as Bill, Boost, Grow, and Prosper+, with optional add-ons for intake, family law, and AI tools.
In October 2021, Smokeball acquired FamilyProperty, a Sydney-based legal tech startup specializing in family law solutions. This strategic acquisition expanded Smokeball’s capabilities in family law and strengthened its presence in the Australian market. The integration of FamilyProperty’s tools into Smokeball’s platform has enhanced its offerings for firms handling divorce, custody, and property settlements.
Recent innovations include:
These updates are part of Smokeball’s monthly release cycle, ensuring users benefit from continuous improvements.
Smokeball promotes a culture of innovation, client-centricity, and legal empowerment. The company values transparency, collaboration, and continuous learning. It invests heavily in training and support, offering free onboarding, live webinars, and access to the Smokeball Academy. Its team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable, helping firms maximize their use of the platform.
Smokeball serves a diverse user base of small to mid-sized law firms, particularly in practice areas like family law, estate planning, real estate, and litigation. Its community includes legal professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The company fosters engagement through its online community portal, webinars, and client success programs, creating a collaborative environment for users to share insights and best practices.
