So, You Want to Go to Trial? Four Ways Any Associate Can Add Value

As any attorney will tell you, there is nothing like your first trial. The preparation and participation to meet the rigors of trial practice is invaluable as we grow in our litigation practice, and—with the increasing expenses and risk associated with a trial—such experience can be hard to obtain. During my first year as an associate in a private law firm, I was assigned to work on a personal injury case that was headed straight to the courtroom for a jury trial. The case was tried in federal court, and I was the most junior lawyer on our trial team. Now that I think about it, I was likely the most junior lawyer in the courtroom. But junior lawyers are a vital part of any trial team and can add value and expertise. Below are some tips for junior lawyers looking to earn their spot as part of a trial team and to gain litigation experience in the courtroom in front of a jury.