UTBMS Code L520 — Trial
Attendance at and participation in all trial proceedings, including opening statements, witness examinations, closing arguments, bench conferences, and daily trial team debriefs.
schedule When This Code Is Used
When the case is actively being tried before a judge or jury, including all courtroom proceedings, daily preparation and debrief sessions, and real-time trial strategy adjustments.
warning Common Billing Violations
Five or six attorneys billing full trial days when only two or three are in the courtroom, with others performing undefined 'trial support'
Billing 14-16 hour trial days that include padding beyond actual courtroom and preparation hours
Charging for junior associates who attend trial solely for 'training' purposes at the client's expense
Back-office attorneys billing full trial days for research or preparation that does not require physical trial team presence
timer Typical Hours
Per trial day: 10-14 hours for lead counsel, 8-12 hours for second chair. Trial support: 6-10 hours per day. Total two-week trial: 150-300 hours for a two-person trial team.
flag Red Flags to Watch For
More than three attorneys billing 10+ hour days during trial without clear role definitions
Trial day entries exceeding 16 hours, suggesting padding or unreasonable billing
Junior associates billing full trial days when they did not examine witnesses or argue motions
Total trial attendance hours across the team exceeding 4x the actual courtroom hours
check_circle Best Practices for Review
Require pre-approval of the trial team roster with defined roles for each attorney
Cap the number of attorneys who may bill for trial attendance without prior written approval
Establish daily billing caps for trial days based on actual courtroom hours plus reasonable prep
Require that each attorney's trial day entries specify their role and courtroom activities
link Related Codes
analytics Key Statistics
The average civil trial costs $500,000-$3 million in attorney fees for each side, making trial the most expensive phase per day
Source: RAND Institute for Civil Justice, 2024
The median federal civil trial lasts 4 days, but trial preparation typically begins 60-90 days before trial date
Source: Federal Judicial Center, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UTBMS code L520 cover for trial activity? expand_more
UTBMS code L520 covers the actual trial proceedings including courtroom attendance, direct and cross-examinations, opening statements, closing arguments, and all attorney time spent in court during the trial phase. It is the core trial activity code.
How do you control trial costs under L520? expand_more
Limit the trial team to essential personnel with defined roles. Require daily trial budgets and staffing plans. Challenge billing for attorneys attending trial as observers without active participation. Set expectations for courtroom time versus preparation time ratios.
What are common overbilling patterns during trial under L520? expand_more
Watch for excessive attorneys billing full days in court when only one or two are actively participating, after-hours trial preparation billed at premium rates without justification, and billing for time spent in court during non-substantive proceedings like scheduling conferences.