Rule 9.Number of Counsel Heard
Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 9
Plain-English Summary
Rule 9 caps how many lawyers may be heard for each side. On any given question, and at trial, no more than two counsel per side may argue.
The limit gives way in important cases, but only on special leave of the court. In practice it lets a judge keep argument orderly while leaving room for added counsel when a matter warrants it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attorneys can argue for one side in a Texas trial?
No more than two per side on any question or at trial, unless the court grants special leave in an important case.
Does Rule 9 limit how many lawyers can represent a party?
No. It limits how many lawyers may be heard — meaning who presents argument — on a question or at trial. A side can retain as many attorneys as it wants; the rule only caps how many of them speak.
Who decides whether a case is important enough for more than two lawyers to argue?
The trial court. Rule 9 leaves both that call and the decision to grant special leave to the judge’s discretion, and it sets no test for what makes a case important.