Our trial preparation checklist walks through every stage of preparing your case for a trial, hearing, or arbitration. It begins with steps you can take during discovery to set the foundation for a strong case and ends with essential trial presentation strategies.
In this excerpt, you’ll find a concise outline that summarizes the workflow so you can understand trial prep at a glance. Click here to download the checklist and see each stage in detail.
Almost nothing in a trial, hearing, or arbitration should be left to chance. While popular culture might suggest that cases hinge on dramatic courtroom revelations, the reality is that successful outcomes depend on months — or even years — of methodical planning and preparation.
Whether your case resolves at trial, in arbitration, through a hearing, or even at the settlement table, the work you do to build a compelling narrative and organize your evidence will determine your success.
This comprehensive checklist guides you through every stage of case preparation, from the early days of discovery through post-trial reflection, ensuring you’re ready to present your strongest argument in any forum. Use it as a roadmap to keep your trial preparation on track while maintaining the flexibility to adapt as your case evolves.
★ Quick summary checklist
Foundation
- Flag hot documents during review with strategic coding.
- Communicate with opposing counsel and establish ESI protocols.
- Choose software and exhibit organization methods.
Case development
- Organize evidence into Facts, Issues, and People.
- Identify patterns and connections in evidence.
- Create a visual timeline as your narrative backbone.
- Build your final story around the who, what, and when.
- Fill in the details with the evidence and testimony you’ve analyzed.
Depositions
- Prepare thoroughly with facts, law, and exhibits.
- Execute depositions with flexibility.
- Analyze and incorporate testimony into case story.
Witness and strategy
- Prepare witnesses with relevant materials and practice.
- Test arguments through mock trials for high-stakes cases.
Trial presentation
- Select appropriate technology and visual tools.
- Create compelling visuals (callouts, timelines, photos, graphs).
- Prepare video deposition clips strategically.
- Arrange tech support and test all equipment.
Conclusion
- Submit hyperlinked closing brief.
- Conduct post-trial reflection and juror interviews.
- Apply lessons learned to future cases.
Throughout
- Maintain flexibility as case evolves.
- Monitor progress and address gaps.
- Keep end goal in mind from the beginning.
★ Read the full checklist
This brief summary is a useful way to quickly understand the key steps of preparing for a trial, hearing or arbitration. Click the button below to download the full trial preparation checklist and get a comprehensive workflow that ensures every detail is accounted for.
