Please read the article "9 Critical Steps for Trial Preparation." (Which is attached via photos pgs 1-4.)

home | advertising | @LAT | aboutus | contactus | sitemap | conexion international The only independent legal news resource covering the paralegal profession. @& e = Take the annual technology Join the Listserv for Take advantage of New Contest: Write for LAT! survey. Register Today! networking and information our free job bank Two topics to choose from. BV K1 TN 9 Critical Steps for Trial Preparation Important items that all paralegals should keep in mind. By David ). Dempsey July/August 2003 Table of Contents The final weeks before trial are chactic. The lead attorney is overwhelmed with enormous responsibilities that can have a significant impact on the outcome of the trial, from the smallest details to deciding on the theory of the case. Juggling all these critical tasks while maintaining focus and perspective is a Herculean task even for the most experienced trial attorney. Paralegals play an indispensable role in the trial preparation process. It's imperative that, in conjunction with the lead counsel, you design and adhere to a plan to make sure your energies and those of the entire support ce team are focused on the tasks that will contribute most to the success of the trial. As the final phases of intense trial preparation approach, paralegals can wear many hats: coordinating schedules, monitoring deadlines, helping prepare witnesses and documents, organizing files and exhibits, preparing subpoenas and working with all members of the support team, including expert witnesses, outside vendors, and other legal assistants and attorneys involved in the trial. Every trial attorney will use the talents of a paralegal in different ways. In my practice, I tend to rely heavily on paralegals and delegate a considerable amount of responsibility to them. While the following guidelines will not work for every trial team, these are nine critical steps I believe paralegals can take to help make sure when the opening gavel falls at trial, your team is prepared to prevail. Step 1 Create a Plan Nothing is more vital to the success of the trial than a well-implemented detailed plan. At the outset of the trial, learn how you can be most helpful by communicating with the lawyer or lawyers trying the case. Clearly determine the team's objectives and the role you will play in achieving those goals. As you prepare the plan, remember the costs of the trial and the amount at stake. If your trial team wins a $10,000 decision but spends $15,000 getting there, you will not serve your clients well. Know exactly what you are expected to accomplish. All attorneys have their peculiar ways of preparing for trial. Misunderstandings late in the game exacerbate everyone's frustration and stress levels, and in some cases, can have a significant adverse impact on the trial. Here are some of the essential elements you should consider when creating your plan: e Task List: Prepare a task list with a timeline, including specific deadlines to accomplish each task, ideally in chart form. Summation (www.summation.com) provides excellent litigation support software for that purpose. Allow space for regular status updates from team members. Place the task list in a central location accessible to everyone at all times. The task list should provide specifics such as a description of the task to be accomplished, who is responsible for accomplishing the task and supervising its completion and any other information the team collectively deems essential to the case. Delegate Duties: Delegate responsibilities to team members and make sure there is a clear understanding of who will be responsible for completing and supervising each task. Focus on Essentials: Eliminate what you don't have the time or the resources to accomplish. Additional depositions or research might be useful, but if the cost of completing a task, either in money or time, isn't justified, bring it to the attention of the the attorneys on the team and discuss eliminating it from the plan. 1/16/2014 1:1 1 O