Trial-in-a-Box
Why Did We Develop Trial-in-a-Box?
- To enable our attorneys to conduct a trial anywhere in the U.S., no matter how remote, with all of the tools and technology they would have available in their home office
- To be able to set up and conduct such a trial on extremely short notice, a day or two if need be (actually, to be able to conduct three simultaneous trials using trial-in-a-box)
- To ensure that our clients have realized the full benefit of having engaged a litigation-only law firm for their matter
- To give our clients advantages that opposing counsel may not be able to provide for their clients
What Is a Trial-in-a-Box?
Trial-in-a-Box is a way to provide our attorneys and other trial team members with all the capabilities and support they need to win a trial whenever and wherever it might be. For example, remote locations in Texas are often favored forums for plaintiffs’ lawyers because of plaintiff-friendly juries and high awards, so cases often are tried in Texas counties that may not have the sophisticated courtrooms or hotel facilities that larger urban areas may have available. Trial-in-a-box goes anywhere on a moment’s notice.
Trial-in-a-box consists of three primary components:
1. Materials & Technology
2. Logistics & Process
3. People
Materials & Technology
Trial-in-a-box materials consist of custom-made shipping crates that are always fully prepared and ready to be shipped anywhere immediately. Note: We have at the ready at all times three complete trial-in-a-box set-ups.
Included in each are:
- Computers specially designed for ease of setup and ruggedness, fully loaded with all necessary software, and configured for ease of connection to various types of high-speed Internet links
- Routers and hubs
- High speed printers
- Fax machines
- Full complement of phones
- Blackberry portable email devices
- Tables/chairs
- All office supplies
Through the use of Web-based applications, we are able to remotely access the firm’s resources easily and effectively. iManage Web provides access to our document management system, and Outlook Web Access is used to access email/calendaring. Both products provide the same functionality as on the user’s desktop back at the office, all with the simplicity of a Web browser. iConect is used to access our electronic litigation support system. All documents, depositions, and images are accessible remotely via a Web browser. Finally, the trial team has access to all of the electronic research capabilities to which they have access in their offices.
Also installed as needed are such items as:
- Satellite internet capability
- Additional phone lines
- High-speed, high-volume copy machines (Xerox contracts in place)
Logistics & Process
Here’s how the process works:
1. An attorney informs the firm’s trial coordinator that a trial date is set and trial-in-a-box set up is required.
2. The coordinator’s goal is to have everything set up and fully functioning before the lawyer or lawyers arrive to conduct the trial.
3. The coordinator visits the location and determines if there are special needs dictated by technology already available (or not available) in the courtroom, the hotel, etc.
4. The coordinator arranges with hotel for a conference room “War Room” and needed sleeping rooms.
5. The coordinator contacts shipper and arranges for shipping of crates from Houston. We have made arrangements with various air carriers and ground carriers to ship the equipment on 24 hours notice (we try to use the same shipper for reliability, familiarity with our materials, and economies of volume).
6. The coordinator arranges with Xerox for any high-speed, high-volume copying equipment.
7. The coordinator contacts our technical support provider, who will be on-site for the duration of the trial.
8. The coordinator arranges for all details, such as meals.
9. The coordinator thoroughly checks and ships trial-in-a-box to the location. The computers are set up ahead of time with everything necessary to support any type of trial. Once the equipment arrives on-site, it is a plug and play operation.
10. The coordinator and outside technology team unpack and set up the “War Room.”
11. Attorneys and other staff arrive for trial.
The People
A variety of skills is needed on any trial team. At a remote location to which we send a trial-in-a-box, these individuals are likely to be:
- Trial coordinator. We maintain on staff a full-time, dedicated trial coordinator with all the training and experience to make the trial process go smoothly, no matter where it takes place.
- Full-time, on-site, technical support. Technical support is provided by third-party contractors who travel ahead of the trial team by 2 weeks, when time allows. Once we receive a firm date, the team is contracted to setup DSL /T1 lines for internet access. Phone lines are also installed and tested. This team is on-site throughout the trial and assists with any technical issues or needs that may arise.
- Secretaries and paralegals trained in using the technology.
- Locally hired runner to go between the courthouse and the War Room, run errands, etc.
Experience & Training. The key is experience and training. Our trial coordinator has orchestrated dozens of trial-in-a-box installations. He knows all of the equipment. He knows what the likely trouble spots are and how to avoid them. Secretaries and paralegals who go on-site at a trial are familiar with the specialized equipment and its use. They are familiar with the applications they may use and how to access them either on the equipment they have with them or remotely through the Internet or direct link-up with our servers at the home office.
Focus on the Trial. Importantly, equipment is selected for ease of use and reliability, so that the attorneys, paralegals, and secretaries on site do not have to worry about difficult or unreliable equipment. We want these individuals focused on the trial, not on equipment, and we do everything we can to facilitate that.
