Trial Assistant

Job Title: Trial Assistant

Job Purpose: The Trial Assistant is responsible for supporting the trial team in the preparation, coordination, and day-to-day execution of trial proceedings. The purpose of this role is to ensure that counsel, witnesses, experts, exhibits, demonstratives, trial documents, and courtroom materials are fully prepared, organized, and readily available when needed. The Trial Assistant should proactively coordinate with the office, experts, counsel, and trial vendors to minimize disruptions and ensure the trial proceeds efficiently and professionally.

Trial Assistant Responsibilities:

• Witness Coordination: Work with the office expert coordinator regarding expert line-up. Once trial testimony is confirmed, coordinate directly with experts to discuss prep calls, including confirming availability and ensuring necessary materials are prepared in advance.
• Trial Documents and Filings: Print and bring to court each day copies of all relevant filings, briefs, motions, trial documents, and other materials necessary for trial.
• Courtroom Preparation: Set up the trial courtroom in advance of opening statements, closing arguments, and designated expert testimony. This includes ensuring that all necessary exhibits, documents, demonstratives, and other presentation materials are saved, organized, and readily accessible for use.
• Witness Examinations: Save, organize, and print copies of all direct/cross outlines and ensure that the appropriate materials are available for use during trial.
• Exhibit Coordination and Production: Identify and provide defendants with copies of all exhibits and documents that will be used with witnesses at trial (“disclosures”), as required. Coordinate with APEX to ensure that all necessary exhibits and documents are printed and assembled into trial binders.
• Trial Binders: Coordinate the preparation and printing of trial binders through APEX and ensure that all completed binders and necessary materials are brough to court each day.
• Proactive Trial Support: Anticipate the trial team’s needs and promptly identify any missing documents, exhibits, witness materials, or logistical issues so that they can be addressed before they affect trial proceedings.

Daily Posttrial Duties

• Organize and Secure Materials: Collect, organize, and securely maintain all trial materials used that day, including exhibits, demonstratives, examinations, and documents, and ensure electronic materials are properly saved and back up.
• Prepare for Following Day: Confirm the next day’s witnesses, experts, examinations, exhibits, and anticipated needs, and prepare or update all necessary materials accordingly.
• Address Outstanding Needs: Coordinate with counsel, the office, APEX, and other vendors regarding any additional printing, copying, binding, scheduling, or other needs identified during the day, and promptly flag any outstanding issues for the trial team.

Knowledge, Skills and Experiences:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Accurate typing speed of 30-40 WPM, WordPerfect, Acrobat, Excel, Word and database experience preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and organize workload to consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner with BP staff and attorneys and with staff from outside facilities while maintaining confidentiality of firm matters.
• Attention to detail and ability to work well independently and as part of a team in a fast paced, high-pressure environment. Ability to solve problems with initiative to take the next step.
• Bilingual – English/Spanish
• Must have a driver’s license