ABSTRACT
The time before trial is crucial. Everyone needs to understand their roles and what is going to happen in the courtroom. A plausible and convincing trial theme is an important factor in winning a case. The theme provides the jury with a framework to decide the case and gives attorneys the skeleton upon which to develop a strategy for winning. Recent well-publicized cases provide good examples of how a running theme throughout trial can influence the outcome of the case. Exhibit preparation is an undervalued aspect of trial preparation. Experts often feel that all they have to do is copy graphs, charts, and pictures from their expert reports and have them blown up for trial exhibits. Motions regarding the admissibility of expert testimony can be made at any stage of trial proceedings. A jury is a group of people who are summoned and sworn by the court in order to decide on the facts in issue at a trial.
