Trial prep primer

When it dawns on you that your first civil trial is really going to happen, anticipation and anxiety tend to arrive at the same time. Suddenly, jury dynamics, exhibit control, evidentiary rulings, and real-time strategic judgment all come into play with little room for error. Because only a small fraction of civil cases ever reach trial, many lawyers have had few opportunities to develop or regularly exercise these trial-specific skills. Doubts about managing the trial process in real time can affect not just your confidence, but your client’s outcome.

Preparing for Your First Civil Jury Trial is designed to replace those doubts with solid structure. Drawing from the complete arc of a civil trial, Attorney Cristina M. Kerr walks you through what to do before trial begins, how to stay on top of your game during trial, and what steps to take once a verdict is reached. 

From nerves to know-how

You’ll focus on the practical mechanics that newer or inexperienced trial lawyers need most, including:

• Building trial preparation into early case workup, investigation, and discovery
• Handling crucial pretrial motions, submissions, and final pretrial hearings 
• Organizing your trial notebook, exhibits, and supporting materials for efficient courtroom use
• Managing key stages of trial, from jury selection and opening statements through verdict
• Addressing post-trial motions and fundamental considerations for appeals

Be prepared to proceed

Preparing for Your First Civil Jury Trial provides a user-friendly, start-to-finish framework to help you approach the courtroom with confidence, perspective, and a workable plan.

Trial prep primer

When it dawns on you that your first civil trial is really going to happen, anticipation and anxiety tend to arrive at the same time. Suddenly, jury dynamics, exhibit control, evidentiary rulings, and real-time strategic judgment all come into play with little room for error. Because only a small fraction of civil cases ever reach trial, many lawyers have had few opportunities to develop or regularly exercise these trial-specific skills. Doubts about managing the trial process in real time can affect not just your confidence, but your client’s outcome.

Preparing for Your First Civil Jury Trial is designed to replace those doubts with solid structure. Drawing from the complete arc of a civil trial, Attorney Cristina M. Kerr walks you through what to do before trial begins, how to stay on top of your game during trial, and what steps to take once a verdict is reached.