UTBMS Code L510 — Jury Selection
Attendance at and participation in jury selection (voir dire), including real-time juror analysis, exercise of challenges, and coordination with jury consultants during the selection process.
schedule When This Code Is Used
When the trial is in the jury selection phase, including preparing voir dire questions, attending jury selection proceedings, analyzing potential jurors in real time, and making strategic decisions about peremptory challenges and challenges for cause.
warning Common Billing Violations
Over-staffing jury selection with four or five attorneys when two would be effective
Billing full-day rates for attorneys who are present but not actively participating in voir dire
Charging attorney time alongside jury consultant fees for the same real-time juror analysis
Billing for extensive post-selection 'analysis' of seated jurors that has limited strategic value once the jury is empaneled
timer Typical Hours
Simple jury selection (1 day): 8-12 hours per attorney. Complex multi-day selection: 20-50 hours per attorney. With jury consultant coordination: add 5-15 hours.
flag Red Flags to Watch For
More than three attorneys billing full days for jury selection in a standard case
Attorney juror analysis billing that duplicates the jury consultant's work
Significant billing for 'post-selection analysis' after the jury is seated
Voir dire preparation hours exceeding the actual selection proceeding hours
check_circle Best Practices for Review
Limit jury selection attendance to two attorneys: lead counsel and one support attorney
Require that jury consultant coordination time be distinguished from attorney analysis time
Cap the number of attorneys who may bill for jury selection without written justification
Establish that post-selection analysis is included in trial preparation, not separately billable
link Related Codes
analytics Key Statistics
Jury consultant fees range from $50,000 to $500,000+ for complex commercial trials, with mock trials adding $25,000-$100,000 per session
Source: American Society of Trial Consultants Survey, 2024
Companies that invest in systematic jury analysis report 15-20% higher favorable verdict rates in high-stakes litigation
Source: BTI Consulting Group, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UTBMS code L510 cover for jury selection? expand_more
UTBMS code L510 covers jury selection activities including voir dire preparation, jury questionnaire development, juror research, jury consultant coordination, and participation in the jury selection process at trial. It is one of the most concentrated cost centers in trial.
How much should jury selection cost under L510? expand_more
Jury selection costs vary widely: straightforward cases may require 20-40 hours of attorney time, while high-stakes cases with jury consultants can exceed 100-200 hours. Jury consultant fees are typically coded separately. Watch for excessive juror research in routine cases.
What billing issues arise for jury selection under L510? expand_more
Common issues include using expensive jury consultants for routine cases where they add marginal value, excessive attorney hours on juror research, multiple partners attending voir dire without defined roles, and billing for mock trial preparation under L510 rather than a more appropriate code.