Tips for Tackling Trials - Two Firms Share Their Approaches   

Michael BrockwellTrial Support SpecialistHaynes and Boone, LLP

Joan WashburnDirector of Litigation SupportHolland & Knight, LLP

The Holland & Knight Approach Focus on process

Building trial preparation into the discovery phase Organizational tools and process brought to bear

early on in a matter

Small number of dedicated trial laptops, printers, software licenses and ancillary equipment

Managed Chaos! Checklists and timelines

The Haynes & Boone Approach “One Riot, One Ranger”

Not just trials, but all trial events (MSJs, mediation, arbitration) — Anything adversarial

Authority and responsibility for all directly-trial event related technology (courtroom and warroom)

Separate from Litigation Support (document/image and database support)

The Evolution of the Haynes & Boone Model Initially, multimedia support only

Later, gained credibility and began providing input on strategy and visualizations

As the department matured, more and more consulting mixed with multimedia support

Now, moving towards consultant role providing strategy and presentation advice and outsourcing some multimedia

Holland & KnightInternal vs External SupportGauge the complexity of the matter and the

extent of support needed Length of trial, travel, equipment and staffing

considerations

What is at controversy and what will the budget bear? Efficiencies gained by dedicated outsourced

resource Cost and revenue considerations

Haynes & BooneInternal vs External SupportLitigation support (document handling,

productions, etc) coordinated internally but handled externally

Direct Trial Support handled substantially internally – but more external support contemplated

Tips for Educating, Marketing and Promoting Trial ServicesBe clear on internal capabilities. Don’t under

or over sell!

Integrate discussions on policy and best practice into practical training opportunities, i.e., application training

Tips for Educating, Marketing and Promoting Trial ServicesDon’t assume that your attorneys know what

you can do – show them

Find your stakeholder partners, and give them the ammunition they need. Partners listen to partners.

Success breeds success – get a mention in the firm “winning trial team” email

Checklists DocumentsTrial in a Box – Supply List

Equipment List

Questionnaire

Checklist

Lessons LearnedTest your equipment offline before you leave

the office!

Redundancy: things break, even things that can’t break

Be prepared to bring everything for yourself

Predictions on the FutureAs litigation grows ever more expensive, clients

will require a nimble approach to trial support Creative use of technology and manpower

Knowing which button to push isn’t enough

Attorneys will be doing more for themselves, because they have lived with tech their whole lives

And What About iPads?H&K is developing a suite of tools for iPad,

which will include presentation software Software seems still to be in early development

Knowing which button to push isn’t enough

Attorneys will be doing more for themselves, because they have lived with tech their whole lives

And What About iPads?Will eventually replace laptops

Will allow attorneys to do more for themselves

Will still require support, but of a different nature

ROBERT J. BROWN, III "Trey" SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT COURTROOM SCIENCES, INC. 972.717.1773 tbrown@courtroomsciences.com 

eDISCOVERY SERVICES GLOBAL DEPOSITION SERVICES LITIGATION PSYCHOLOGY PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGY

Any Questions?