Our trial support services include basic design graphic design services in connection with the preparation of PowerPoint slideshows for witness examination or for use with witness examination. Examples of these include timelines and other basic demonstrative evidence such as charts and bar graphs. Specialty graphics such as detailed infographics, intensive image composition, and exhibit boards, are not included with our trial support agreements, but are available on a per-diem basis, and will appear as an extra expense item on our trial billing statements.

A non-refundable deposit for our trial support services guarantees our availability for your trial. If the trial goes forward, it is credited against project billings. Bills are generated weekly and include the technician’s daily rate and refundable expenses such as transportation, meals, and purchased supplies. The client submits payment for bills every two weeks for the length of the trial.

When the client deems it necessary, we will supply two trial technicians for lengthy document- or video-intensive trials that require someone to staff the war room during daytime trial hours. We account for this as an adjustment in our daily billing rate which is given to the client and accepted before the trial begins.

We take care of all things related to trial—from the war room to the courtroom or via Zoom, including:

• courtroom setup and management
• printing and scanning of documents
• shipping and return of courtroom documents
• snacks and beverages for the trial team
• transmission of exchanged documents with opposing counsel
• supply and operate courtroom presentation equipment and computers
• preparation of PowerPoint presentations and other needed graphics
• video conversion, editing, and playback based on court rulings

It helps to request video files in either MPEG-4 or MPEG2-DVD (for older videos) from the deposition videographer, if possible. Other formats will have to be converted. Additionally, you’ll need the transcript file transcript generated by the court reporter (not PDF or other formats such as Word) to have the video and transcript synchronized by software such as TimeCoder Pro and others which will export the synchronized file in a format recognized by trial presentation software programs such as TrialDirector and OnCue.  Page line designations are input into the programs, fine-tuned, and played back seamlessly. If there are objections or other testimony ruled inadmissible, they can be edited or removed within a few minutes. Most firms wait until they file their list of video designations to do the synchronizing—a step that may save money if the case settles prior to trial. In the event a transcript is not available, video will have to be edited in non-linear editing systems (NLEs) such as Adobe Premiere Pro.