Key Tips for Preparing a Case for Trial
Attorney Phillip Hayes recently offered his key tips for preparing a case for trial for an article published elsewhere.
Phillip Hayes is respected among his peers as an excellent trial attorney. However, he states that he didn’t earn such praise without years of practice. Hayes recently offered his top tips for preparing a case for trial.
“Preparation is key to the success of any trial.”
About Attorney Phillip Hayes
Hayes is a practicing defense attorney in the state of Texas. He is on a list of expert attorneys qualified to work on death penalty cases. His passion is in his work, and he enjoys sharing his decades of knowledge with fellow and upcoming attorneys.
Hayes’ Tips for Preparing for Trial
Years of experience have led Hayes to become an expert in preparing for trial. The following are tips he offers to new litigators.
1. Pay Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is essential for a trial lawyer. Hayes stated that local rules must be double and triple-checked to ensure a trial goes as planned. He suggested checking filing deadlines, the necessity of courtesy copies of files to the court, and the requirements of individual judges. The easiest way to ensure you’re on top of these requirements is to call the trial coordinator and confirm.
Hayes added that understanding individual court requirements is even more essential now that many trials are on Zoom or other video conference platforms.
2. Develop a Consistent Theme
All the information, witnesses, and exhibits presented in your trial should fit one common trial theme. A case with a defined theme is easier for the judge and jury to decipher. It also proves to both parties that you’re prepared to defend your case.
An essential part of developing your trial theme is identifying issues or weaknesses among your witnesses. You’ll likely need to help them address these issues to feel comfortable answering questions throughout the trial
Do What Makes Sense for You
All lawyers are individuals. You likely have ways of organizing information that works for you and won’t work for other attorneys. Always organize material in a way that works best for you.
A typical trial binder includes witness outlines, brief outlines, exhibit lists, responses for anticipated prosecuting arguments, pertinent laws, and more. Hayes recommends using a separate binder for your opening statement and another binder for your closing statement. He prefers annotating throughout the closing statement binder throughout the trial.
Using separate binders is one way Hayes recommended organizing yourself for trial, but he emphasized the importance of doing what’s best for you and your client.
Communicate Often and Openly
Phillip Hayes emphasizes the importance of communicating with your client, witnesses, and all members connected to the case. This may include assisting attorneys, paralegals, litigation support team members, and others. Proper communication helps avoid misunderstandings that can swing the outcome of a case.
“Preparation is key to the success of any trial,” Hayes concluded. “The above are just a few of the many key steps to take when pursuing the best possible outcome for your client and your team.”
