What New Litigators Can Do To Win Their First Trial

Law360 published an article titled “What New Litigators Can Do To Win Their First Trial” in which more than 45 veteran attorneys provided new litigators with advice on how to handle their first trial. A former partner, an intellectual property litigator based in Winston’s Houston office, offered the following guidance:

Learn and gain confidence by presenting your case first to a nonlawyer friend. Ask what facts jumped out as good or bad for your case, or whether there were any glaring questions left unanswered after your presentation. Once in court, try to relax. The judge and jury don’t know it’s your first trial. Preparation helps. Know courtroom etiquette like when to stand, how to ask permission to approach, and what is and is not appropriate for an opening statement. And know your details, but keep the overall presentation in mind. Consider the picture you want the jury to see.

The former partner practice focuses in patent litigation, including analysis of infringement, validity, and enforceability of patents, as well as in intellectual property counseling. She counsels clients on intellectual property enforcement matters, litigation strategy, licensing, and settlement negotiations.