Legal Billing Codes Explained: UTBMS, ABA, and Task Codes

Understanding Legal Billing Codes

Billing codes standardize how law firms describe and categorize work. Using correct codes improves client relationships, speeds payment, and ensures compliance with outside counsel guidelines.

UTBMS Task Codes

The Uniform Task-Based Management System provides standardized codes for litigation and non-litigation matters.

Litigation Task Codes

Discovery Task Codes

ABA Activity Codes

Activity codes describe what the timekeeper did:

• A101: Plan and prepare for
• A102: Research
• A103: Draft/revise
• A104: Review/analyze
• A105: Communicate (in firm)
• A106: Communicate (with client)
• A107: Communicate (other outside counsel)
• A108: Communicate (other external parties)
• A109: Appear for/attend
• A110: Manage data/files
• A111: Other

Expense Codes

Standard expense categories:

• E101: Copying/printing
• E102: Outside printing
• E103: Word processing
• E104: Facsimile
• E105: Telephone
• E106: Online research
• E107: Delivery/messenger
• E108: Postage
• E109: Court fees
• E110: Transcripts
• E111: Travel

Code Combinations

Proper task/activity combinations are critical. For example:

• L310/A102: Research for written discovery
• L330/A109: Attend deposition
• L120/A104: Review case strategy documents

Invalid combinations will trigger e-billing rejections.

Client-Specific Codes

Many corporate clients have custom requirements:

• Additional phase codes
• Custom task breakdowns
• Specific expense categories
• Prohibited code combinations

Review outside counsel guidelines for each client.

Best Practices

1. Train all timekeepers on code usage
2. Create quick-reference guides for common work
3. Validate before submission
4. Update codes annually as standards evolve

Automate code compliance. See how IntelliBill ensures correct billing codes.

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