Project Code Set

Overview

The Project Code Set includes all legal tasks performed for non-litigation matters of a similar task pattern described below. This Code Set can be used for transactions (e.g., real estate, securities, financings, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions), for administrative filings with Federal and state agencies, and for stand-alone projects (e.g., establishing an environmental compliance program). All of these assignments share, to a large extent, the same underlying process steps.

The Project Code Set is part of the broader Uniform Task-Based Management System which also includes codes for litigation, bankruptcy, and counseling. The Project Code Set applies to all areas of law. 

Project Code Set Descriptions

The following definitions elaborate on the intended scope of each phase and task and should guide attorneys in coding time.

P100 Project Administration

Focuses on administrative aspects of the assignment, including planning, budgeting, and maintenance of documents. Covers developing, negotiating, and revising the administrative plan and the budget for a matter. Also includes developing and communicating project status reports. Time coded here is to be distinguished from strategizing about the project, which is included in the P300 code.

P200 Fact Gathering/Due Diligence

Includes all time spent investigating facts, obtaining documents and completing due diligence and the preparation of related reports and reviews with clients.

Also includes coordination with third parties (including other counsel) in connection with fact investigation, interviews of client and non-client personnel, document review performed for purposes of identifying, understanding and analyzing facts and issues, and all related communications and correspondence.

P210 Corporate Review

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence from a corporate perspective, such as structural reviews, material contract reviews, SEC filing reviews, financing document reviews, and industry information reviews.

P220 Tax

This task includes all steps involved in conducting fact investigation/due diligence from a tax perspective.

P230 Environmental

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence from an environmental perspective.

P240 Real and Personal Property

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence from a real and personal property perspective.

P250 Employee/Labor

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence from an employee benefits and labor perspective.

P260 Intellectual Property

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence from an intellectual property (patent, trademarks, copyrights) perspective.

P270 Regulatory Reviews

This task includes fact investigation/due diligence from a regulatory perspective not covered elsewhere. Includes review of agency filings (e.g., FCC, FTC, and State analogues) by a party to or the subject of the transaction or project. Also includes consumer credit reviews.

P280 Other

This task includes all fact investigation/due diligence not captured more specifically in the P200 codes set forth above.

P300 Structure/Strategy/Analysis

Includes time spent in planning the approach to the deal or project. Tasks include all analysis performed for purposes of developing and reassessing the strategy for the project or transaction, and all steps taken to develop a written outline or description of the structure of a transaction or the strategy for a matter (e.g., term sheets) throughout the life of the matter.

P400 Initial Document Preparation/Filing

This phase includes all tasks undertaken to prepare transaction documents and opinions prior to their being sent to non-client third parties. Also includes all tasks undertaken to file documents (including regulatory filings). All related communications with the client and review of client generated transaction documentation should be coded here.

P500 Negotiation/Revision/Responses

This phase includes conducting negotiations, revising the initial (P400) transaction documentation as a result of such negotiations, attendance at meetings, and responses thereto (including communications with clients with respect thereto). The review of documents received from non-client third parties should also be coded here.

P600 Completion/Closing

This phase includes all tasks related to transaction pre-closing and closing, project completion or filing acceptance, such as attendance at closing.

P700 Post-Completion/Post-Closing

This phase includes all post-completion or post-closing tasks such as amendments to final documentation and resolution of post-closing issues. Also includes all implementation tasks (e.g., funds held in escrow) and preparation of closing binders (i.e., primarily clerical actions). Would not typically include total or significant restructuring which should be considered a new assignment.

P800 Maintenance and Renewal

This phase includes all tasks related to subsequent maintenance and renewal requirements under the terms of the transaction or project such as monitoring of lease agreements, routine waivers and coordination of UCC requirements.

The authors hereby grant permission to use the codes and related definitions, in whole or in part, on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis. In addition, this document may be freely reproduced and distributed in any electronic or hardcopy medium, on a nonexclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that this reproduction and distribution are not for profit, and that this title page is included in its entirety. This document has not been approved by either the Council of the Section of Litigation, or the ABA House of Delegates, and therefore, does not constitute official Section or ABA policy.