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Asking for a Continuance

Asking for a Continuance

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Asking for a Continuance

What should you do if you need a new lawyer before your trial? Asking for a continuance may be your best option, especially if you are no longer confident that your current attorney can effectively represent you at trial. You need a lawyer who is prepared to step in and immediately take over your case. The last-minute trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP represent both plaintiffs and defendants in California, Texas, New York, and Florida courts, as well as federal courts throughout the U.S. We can examine the evidence, review the case litigation history, and prepare strong legal arguments for trial in your case – and we can do all of this at a moment’s notice.

Keep reading this blog to find out how you can ask the court for a continuance to get replacement counsel.

What Is a Continuance?

A continuance allows the parties in a legal dispute to postpone a hearing until a later date. When you request a continuance, it means that you are asking the court to change the trial date to a different date in the future.

The process for requesting a continuance can vary, depending on whether it’s a criminal case, a civil case, an arbitration hearing, etc. That’s because different courts or forums have different rules for continuance requests.

Continuance for a Hearing

As a general rule, it is easier to convince judges to issue a continuance for a hearing than a trial. That’s because trials come at the end of the case when all pre-trial documents have been filed, permanent orders have been issued, and everything has already been set in motion. Moreover, judges are loathe to issue continuances for trial dates because both sides have already had a lot of time to prepare and clear their schedules.

How to Request a Continuance in Your California Trial

There are rules and procedures for how to formally request a continuance, and these rules and procedures are usually specific to the courtroom handling the case.

A party in a legal dispute typically requests a continuance in writing: they or their attorney must file a motion with the court. This is almost always done well in advance of the actual trial date. The later your request for a continuance, the less likely the court is to grant it. If you have to request a continuance in person, you should be fully prepared for the court to say, “No.”

Continuances Are at the Judge’s Discretion

Just because a person requests a continuance does not mean that it will be granted by the court. Continuances are discretionary, which means that the judge in your case has a great deal of flexibility when it comes to granting your request for a continuance. Never assume that a continuance will be granted. Until you know for sure that the court has granted a continuance, you need to be fully prepared to show up to court and argue your case.

Judges can be reluctant to grant continuances because they don’t want to allow one party to excessively delay the trial for their own benefit. When deciding whether to issue a continuance, the judge will probably consider the degree to which the other side in the case will be hurt by delaying the trial.

Showing “Good Cause” for a Continuance

Sometimes, a continuance can be agreed upon by both parties, which makes it more likely that the court will grant the continuance request. If the other side does not agree to a continuance, then you will need to convince the judge.

Basically, the judge in your case needs a good reason, or “good cause,” to issue a continuance so that the hearing can be continued later. It is important to keep in mind that you need a better reason than “I’m just not ready for trial.”

Some of the reasons that might necessitate a continuance include:

  • You need additional time to secure an attorney to represent you in court.
  • You need more time to gather evidence because the other side has been stalling on discovery requests.
  • You need more time to locate witnesses who are critical to your case.
  • You can’t show up to the scheduled trial date because you have a medical procedure scheduled or there was some kind of medical emergency.
  • One of the parties is unavailable on the scheduled trial date due to death or illness.
  • One of the attorneys is unavailable due to death or illness.
  • You have a conflicting legal hearing scheduled for the same date.
  • There was a significant and unexpected change in the status of the case.
  • Trial counsel had to be substituted.

Replacing Your Current Attorney with a Skilled California Trial Attorney

If you need time to find emergency counsel to handle your business fraud case, breach of fiduciary duty complaint, intellectual property claim, employment litigation, or any other type of legal matter, you may want to request a continuance. It’s possible that your current lawyer simply isn’t getting the job done. Maybe they are pushing you to accept a bad settlement offer because they are afraid of having to win at trial. Maybe they aren’t returning your phone calls or keeping you informed about what is happening with your case. Regardless of the reason, you need a new lawyer – and you need one fast, especially if your next court hearing or trial is coming up.

Judges expect the party who is requesting a continuance to have been diligent in preparing for trial. If you have not made a reasonable effort to obtain replacement counsel, the judge may deny your continuance request. Additionally, the judge will likely ask you why you failed to inform the court about any problems you were having with your previous counsel. That’s why you need to stay on top of things and act quickly when you realize that your current attorney is unprepared for trial.

Need Last-Minute Trial Representation in a California Court? Contact Us Today

Do you have a court hearing or trial that is about to start in California? It is imperative that you take immediate action and reach out to the Tauler Smith last-minute trial team. Do not wait! The reality is that the judge in your case may not grant an extension, and you could find it difficult to move on from your current attorneys if you delay. You need to speak with an experienced litigator ASAP.

Call 310-590-3927 or send an email now.

Jury Trial Tips

Tips to Prepare for a Jury Trial

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Jury Trial Tips

A lot of lawyers don’t take their cases all the way to trial, so they never get the experience in front of jurors that is needed to actually win at trial. It’s very possible that your previous lawyer developed the case without the expectation that it would go to trial. It’s also likely that an inexperienced attorney won’t be ready to argue your case to a jury. The truth is that some lawyers could use tips to prepare for a jury trial. The Los Angeles trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP have extensive experience handling jury trials in both state and federal courts, so we know which arguments are most likely to persuade jurors.

For tips on how a trial attorney can prepare your case for a jury trial, keep reading this blog.

How an Experienced Trial Lawyer Can Prepare Your Case for a Jury Trial in California

These are some of the things that an experienced trial lawyer can do to prepare for a jury trial in a California courtroom:

  • Communicate to Judge and Jury: Trial lawyers should be ready to argue complicated legal points in support of a motion before the judge and communicate the facts of the case to laypersons on the jury.
  • Keep the Story Simple: A good trial lawyer will be able to simplify a complex legal matter and weave together the evidence, transcripts, testimony, and arguments to build a compelling and persuasive narrative for the jury.
  • Ask Witnesses the Right Questions: The best trial lawyers know which questions to ask their own witnesses, as well as which questions will weaken the opposing witnesses.
  • Strong Closing Argument: The story that a trial lawyer tells in their closing argument needs to be backed up by the facts that have already been communicated throughout the trial. This requires a great deal of anticipation and foresight by the attorney.
  • Preserve the Record for Appeal: A good trial lawyer will also keep an eye on the trial record so that there will be an avenue for filing an appeal later if the case does not go the way they hope.
  • Communicate with the Client: Open communication between the attorney and the client is critical in the days and weeks before trial so that there is no chance of a misunderstanding that could damage the chances of success once the trial begins.

An Experienced Trial Lawyer Can Communicate Your Story to the Jury

In many ways, jury trials are preferable to bench trials because a jury trial doesn’t leave the decision in a single person’s hands. But this also means that your lawyer needs to be able to persuade multiple people at once. This can be tough in complex cases such as business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or employment defense.

With jury trials, it is important to recognize that jurors are human beings. This means that they may consider the law, but they will almost certainly factor in real-world human elements. If the jurors don’t believe you or your witnesses, they are not likely to find in your favor. This is why it is important to maintain credibility throughout the trial, and one way to do that is by telling a coherent story.

Our California Litigators Know How to Win in Court

The unfortunate reality is that far too many litigators simply don’t know how to win a case in the courtroom. They may understand the applicable statutes, but they never learned the technical skills of preparing a case for a trial. The Los Angeles trial attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP take pride in our ability to uncover buried evidence, develop strong arguments, and prep witnesses to take the stand. Even when the odds are stacked against you and the other side’s evidence seems insurmountable, we will do whatever is needed to give you a real fighting chance to win the case.

Additionally, we are often called upon to take over a case at the last minute. This is when a litigator is truly tested: in the days and weeks leading up to trial, when someone has to get ready to show up to court and actually present the case. In many ways, this is the toughest part of being a lawyer. Our last-minute trial team is stacked with attorneys who know how to effectively argue a client’s case in the courtroom and achieve the desired result. Significantly, we also know how to prepare cases quickly so that you never have to worry about whether we will be ready to win your case at trial.

Contact the California Trial Team at Tauler Smith LLP

The California trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP provide high-level service to our clients throughout the entire legal process, from the moment we begin reviewing the evidence in your case all the way through trial. We represent clients in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and everywhere else in the U.S.

Call or email us now to schedule a free consultation about your case.

What Client Does Before Trial

Trial Preparation: What Can the Client Do Before Trial?

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What Client Does Before Trial

As experienced Los Angeles last-minute trial attorneys, we know how to quickly prepare a case for trial when we take over in the 11th hour.  But this doesn’t mean the client is uninvolved or has nothing to do as we get ready to argue the case before a judge or jury. So, what does the client do before trial? The Tauler Smith litigation team believes that clients can play a very big role in helping us to prepare cases for trial, whether that involves providing us with valuable information about the case, communicating during settlement discussions, or being involved in strategy conversations.

Read this blog for more information about what clients can do to get ready for trial in a California courtroom.

How the Client Can Help Their Lawyer Win at Trial in a California Courtroom

The client has an important role in the lead-up to trial. Although you won’t be involved in the actual legal work or technical trial preparation, you can still contribute in very meaningful ways.

Provide Case Information

For starters, you are an invaluable resource because you will know the facts of the case as well as anyone. Your attorneys may have questions for you as they research and get ready for trial, and you may be asked to fill in gaps in the fact pattern, provide background information on potential witnesses, and offer insights into the case.

Clients are often the best source for evidence since they will probably know the location of relevant documents, in addition to gaining access to those documents once they are located. This can be particularly helpful in business litigation cases and employment defense cases where discovery may cover a lot of evidence, as well as late-notice cases where the trial date is quickly approaching and time is limited.

Settlement Discussions

The client also needs to be involved in any settlement conversations, providing guidance to the attorney. Ultimately, you will have to make the call about whether you find a settlement offer acceptable, and you certainly should not let anyone else sway you because you are the one who will have to live with the decision. Sometimes, it’s better to take the financial settlement being offered and be done with the stress of litigation. Or you might be so personally invested in the case that getting your day in court and seeking justice is most important to you.

Witness Prep

While attorneys typically take the lead when it comes to preparing witnesses to testify at trial, the client is also very helpful in this regard. That’s because the client will probably have some kind of relationship with the witnesses, which can make it easier to encourage their testimony. The client’s familiarity with the other witnesses can also provide insight into how they might react to certain types of questioning.

Additionally, if expert witnesses are needed for the trial, the client may be helpful when it comes to helping prepare the expert. After all, the client will still know more about the particular facts of the case, and the expert can probably benefit by learning the specifics before testifying.

In many cases, the client will also take the stand to testify at trial. Before this happens, the client should be prepared by their attorneys so that they know exactly what to expect and how to frame their narrative while on the stand. Moreover, the client should be prepared for cross-examination so that they won’t be caught off guard by aggressive questioning from the opposing side.

Trial Strategy

Strong communication between the attorney and their client is extremely important. The client should always feel comfortable asking questions about the case. Your lawyer works for you, not the other way around. Your last-minute trial counsel should keep you informed at all times about what is happening. Additionally, if you are unsure about the direction that your attorneys are taking the case, you should definitely speak up and voice those concerns. Clients should always play a role in the trial strategy.

Client feedback can also be extremely helpful. Sometimes, the litigators get so caught up in the legal arguments that they forget the human element at play in a trial. Cases are presented to jurors, and those jurors typically don’t know much about the actual law or the applicable statutes. They need to be persuaded at a human level, and this is where feedback from the client can provide valuable insight: how the client reacts to a particular argument, trial tactic, or theme may be some indication of how the jury will react.

Contact the Experienced Los Angeles Trial Lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP

The Tauler Smith LLP trial lawyers handle cases in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and across the United States. We go to great lengths to ensure that our litigators are in frequent communication with clients throughout the legal process because we want clients to stay informed. We also want our clients to be involved in any important decisions that need to be made before trial.

We will do everything in our power to maximize your chances of winning in court. Call 310-590-3927 or email us to schedule a free consultation.

What Happens Before Trial

Lawsuits: What Happens Before Trial?

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What Happens Before Trial

If you are suing someone, or if you are being sued, you may be wondering: “In lawsuits, what happens before trial?” Our California litigators have experience representing clients in civil suits, and many of them want to know what they can expect in the month before their trial starts. The truth is that your life is going to change considerably – at least for a little while. Trials can be stressful and time-consuming. But they can also be incredibly rewarding when your lawyers are able to secure a favorable verdict and help you achieve justice. That’s why you need to make sure you have the right attorneys on your side and handling your case, especially if the trial date is quickly approaching. The Los Angeles civil litigation attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP know how to prepare for trial and win in the courtroom – and we can help you win your case.

Keep reading this blog to learn more about what you and your attorneys can do to get ready for trial.

Are You Confident in Your Current Attorneys?

As your trial date gets closer, you may feel an incredible amount of stress – which can manifest itself both physically and emotionally. And since you don’t know what the outcome of the trial will be, you may also feel intense pressure during the trial. Managing this stress and pressure is an important aspect of getting through the trial, and one of the best ways to do this is to let your attorneys take care of the legal matters while you focus on yourself. Of course, this requires you to have the utmost confidence in your attorneys.

Cases are usually won or lost in the weeks and days leading up to trial. The side that best prepares everything for trial is likely to prevail at the final verdict. If your current attorney is not doing enough to get the case ready, your chances of defeat go up substantially. That’s why you should consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in late-notice cases and last-minute trials.

How Your Attorneys Should Prepare for an Upcoming Trial

There are a number of things that both you and your attorneys can do to make sure that you are ready for an upcoming trial in a California courtroom, whether it’s a criminal case or a civil case involving business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or employment law. Some of the most important prep work that your trial lawyer must get done either just before trial or shortly after the trial starts includes:

  • Filing pretrial briefs and motions if they have not already been filed with the court.
  • Prepping your witnesses for direct examination so that the main themes come across to the jury. Your witnesses should also be fully prepared for cross-examination by the other side.
  • Reviewing evidence that supports your case and making sure that it can be properly introduced at trial. This includes reviewing depositions so that the opposing side’s witnesses can be cross-examined.
  • Writing an opening statement to be presented to the jury at the start of the trial, and preparing a closing argument that succinctly summarizes your story and cogently explains to the jury why you should win the case at the conclusion of the trial.
  • Making sure the record is prepared for appeal in the event that you do not win at trial.
  • Communicating with the client so that they are fully informed about what is happening with the case, and also so that they can provide valuable information about the facts, witnesses, evidence, etc.

Pretrial Briefs and Motions

Your attorneys need to be extremely well-versed in the law, and they must have extensive experience handling cases that go to trial because they are going to need to follow court procedure and rules every step of the way. A single mistake during the pre-trial stage can be fatal to your case because you may not have the ability to remedy that mistake later. This includes filing all necessary briefs and motions by the required deadlines. A lot of judges will insist that you cannot go back and file certain motions once the deadline for doing so has passed, which means you may be blocked from introducing crucial evidence, deposing certain witnesses, or even getting the case dismissed before trial.

Witness Prep

Your attorneys will need to make sure that all your key witnesses are available for the trial date, and that those witnesses are fully prepared to testify. You may also want some witnesses on call to counter the opposing side’s arguments, and this means that your attorney will need to be adept at anticipating every possible argument and legal issue that might come up.

The amount of time needed to get the client and other witnesses ready for direct examination on the witness stand varies, depending on the particular case. You should expect to commit a good chunk of time to practicing testimony with your legal team. And you should expect preparation for cross-examination to take even longer.

Evidence

A strong trial lawyer will need to prepare every aspect of your case with the expectation that it will go to trial. This means having a complete list of all evidence that may be relevant in the case, including any documents that were obtained during discovery. It will also be necessary to have the depositions of any witnesses that could be called at trial. Basically, anything that will be needed to prove your case at trial should be available.

Depending on what happens at trial, it may be necessary to impeach a witness. This is when knowing the depositions inside and out will prove crucial because your attorney must immediately recognize inconsistencies in the witness’ testimony.

Opening Statement & Closing Argument

Your lawyers need to be able to communicate your story to the jury in a way that is easy to follow. The opening statement should capture the jurors’ attention, and the closing argument should intelligently articulate to the judge and jury why they should find in your favor.

Preparing the Record for Appeal

If the verdict does not go your way, your attorney might also want to file an appeal. This actually requires some foresight from your lawyer because they will need to make sure that the record is prepared for appeal.

Communicating with the Client

You can expect the days and weeks before the trial to be extremely time-consuming. Your attorneys will be doing everything possible to prepare the case, but you may also be called upon for last-minute gathering of documents, locating and contacting potential witnesses, and preparing for direct testimony at trial.

Additionally, if the client is open to a pre-trial settlement, then they should be on call to provide input when last-minute settlement discussions gain traction.

Contact the California Trial Lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP

The truth is that no two cases are the same. That’s why you need experienced legal representation who will work closely with you and who will aggressively advocate on your behalf throughout the legal process, up to and including the trial.

The Los Angeles trial attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP are ready to help you. We represent clients in courtrooms throughout the United States, including California, Texas, New York, and Florida. Call 310-590-3927 or send an email today to discuss your case.

Time to Hire Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

Is It Too Late to Hire a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer?

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Time to Hire Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

How late is “too late” to hire a last-minute trial lawyer for your case? The answer to this question will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case, including how much work your previous attorneys have already done to prepare for trial. Regardless of the circumstances, though, it is important not to delay because you do not want to hire a new lawyer right before you walk into court for your trial. Even the best attorneys need time to prepare, so your chances of success will improve dramatically if you give your attorney as much time as possible to review the evidence and strategize your case.

Keep reading for more information about last-minute trial lawyers.

Quickly Preparing a Case for Trial at the Last Minute

A great deal of work goes into preparing a case for trial, especially with complicated practice areas such as business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, intellectual property, and employment law. Your new attorneys will need to learn the background information and case facts, write strong opening and closing arguments, prepare evidence and exhibits to be introduced at trial, prepare witnesses for direct examination, depose witnesses who may require cross-examination at trial, and develop an overall theme for the trial. If your previous legal team hasn’t done enough work already, it may be necessary to fill in any gaps in the trial prep.

Factors That Affect How Much Time a Last-Minute Trial Attorney Needs

There are a number of factors that determine exactly how much time is needed to prepare a case for trial.

How Much Work Has Already Been Done?

A major factor is the amount of work that has already been completed by the previous attorneys. If your earlier lawyer was thorough in their preparation and carefully mapped out a trial strategy, then it will be easier for our last-minute trial lawyers to get up to speed on the case. We may simply need to review the evidence, sift through the best arguments, and fine-tune the overall approach. On the other hand, the absence of pre-trial work by your previous attorneys will probably mean that your new attorneys are going to need additional time before the case is ready for trial.

Replacing or Assisting the Previous Attorneys?

Another significant factor in determining the case-preparation timeline is whether the new attorneys are being brought in to assist your current attorneys or to completely replace them before trial. Replacing your attorneys with last-minute trial counsel could require more time.

Type of Case

Certain types of cases may require more preparation and lead time than others. For example, a complex business litigation case that involves a lot of documents and testimony may require more time for discovery, as well as extra time to get depositions from witnesses who could be called to testify at trial.

Replacing Your Attorney in a Complex Legal Dispute

Some cases have extremely complicated fact patterns and involve complex areas of the law, which can certainly affect the timeline when it comes to preparing for trial and getting a replacement attorney up to speed.

A more difficult case might require three (3) months to prepare for trial, while other cases might only require a few days to get ready for trial. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to trial timelines, so a lot will depend on the particular facts of your case. The California last-minute trial team at Tauler Smith LLP treats each case individually and on its own merits. This means we will handle your case based on its unique circumstances.

Los Angeles Parachute Trial Lawyers Prepared to Take Your Case to Trial

The best last-minute trial representation doesn’t necessarily need a lot of time to get a case ready for court, but it can certainly help. As a general rule, the more time your attorney has to prepare for your trial, the better off you will be.

The Tauler Smith litigation team possesses the rare ability to prepare cases with little to no advance time. You need a law firm that knows how to effectively brief your case before it reaches trial and then persuasively argue on your behalf in the courtroom at trial. When our last-minute trial attorneys take on your case in California, Texas, Florida, or anywhere else in the U.S., we immediately get to work familiarizing ourselves with the relevant facts and reviewing the evidence so that we can develop winning arguments. We will also prepare both you and your witnesses so that everyone is ready once the trial begins.

Do You Need Emergency Counsel for an Upcoming Trial? Contact Us Now

Whether your trial is in a few months or a few days, the California last-minute trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP can help you. We know how to quickly prepare a late-notice case for presentation to a judge or jury, and we know how to articulate your story in court.

Call 310-590-3927 or email us.

Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

Do You Need a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer?

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Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

How do you know if you need a last-minute trial lawyer? Although changing your lawyer at a late stage might not seem ideal, it might also be your best option if you truly believe that your current counsel is not sufficiently prepared to argue your case at trial. At the end of the day, it’s your case. You deserve to be represented by an attorney who will fight for you and who will give you the best chance of winning. The California last-minute trial team at Tauler Smith LLP handles a wide range of legal matters in emergency situations, including business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and employment law. We know how to argue your case in court and help you get the best possible outcome.

Read this blog to find out whether you need a last-minute trial attorney.

Reasons You May Need to Hire a Last-Minute Trial Attorney

There are any number of reasons that a client might start looking for last-minute trial counsel:

  1. Personality clash between the client and their lawyer.
  2. Client and lawyer don’t see eye to eye on how to best handle the case.
  3. The attorney is failing to communicate with the client about what is happening with the case.
  4. The attorney appears to be afraid to take the case to trial.

 

  1. Attorney and Client Don’t Get Along

You and your current attorney might not be meshing well. Sometimes, there is a personality clash that can’t be overcome. Although it might still be possible for your attorney to win, it’s not ideal to head into trial when the attorney and the client are not on the same wavelength. After all, it’s your case and your story that will be told to the jury – so you should have a say in what happens during pre-trial prep and which arguments get made during the trial.

  1. Disagreement About Trial Strategy

You and your current attorney might disagree over the trial strategy. The attorney may be the legal expert, but you should still have a say in what arguments get made and how your story is presented to the jury. It’s possible that your lawyer has a trial strategy that you are not on board with, and that’s okay. The best thing to do in these situations is often to move on and find a new lawyer who is a better fit.

  1. Lack of Communication

Your attorney needs to keep you informed about the case. It is crucial that you remain involved throughout the legal process, including trial preparation and strategy. If your lawyer is failing to tell you about important developments, or if they are simply non-responsive when you try to contact them, it may be in your best interest to find another lawyer.

  1. Attorney Is Afraid of Trial

Is your current attorney pushing for a bad settlement, even when the other side refuses to make a fair settlement offer? Then you may need a new attorney who is not afraid to take your case to trial and present your side to a judge or jury. Our Los Angeles last-minute trial team lives for trial work, and we’ve got the background and record to prove it.

How Our Last-Minute Trial Lawyers Can Help You Win

When a lawyer takes over a case at the 11th hour, they need more than just legal knowledge and strong argumentative skills. They must be capable of making lightning-quick decisions and adjusting on the fly to new evidence and unexpected arguments by the opposition. In fact, it is very possible that last-minute trial counsel could be your last hope of prevailing and getting the trial result you deserve.

The skilled California litigators at Tauler Smith LLP can take over your case and prepare for trial on extremely short notice, which is what you need to win. We take pride in putting all our energy, passion, and knowledge into helping our clients get legal justice. Additionally, we have a track record of success when it comes to securing successful verdicts in both bench trials and jury trials throughout the U.S., including California, Texas, New York, and Florida.

Need Last-Minute Trial Counsel? Contact a California Parachute Trial Lawyer

You deserve to be represented by an experienced attorney who is comfortable making arguments in the courtroom and who knows how to persuasively present your story to a jury. The Los Angeles last-minute trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP have decades of combined experience representing clients in both federal and state courtrooms. Additionally, we are extremely proud of our track record of success in litigation.

Call 310-590-3927 or send an email now to schedule a free consultation.

Best Last-Minute Trial Attorneys

8 Qualities of the Best Last-Minute Trial Lawyers

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Best Last-Minute Trial Attorneys

There are a lot of lawyers who are simply not prepared to battle in court because they don’t have the requisite experience needed to effectively argue on behalf of their clients in front of a judge or jury. The California last-minute trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP have worked hard to develop high-caliber trial skills, including strategies that prove highly effective for our clients. We excel in the courtroom because we are always striving to get better and fine-tune our approach. If you need new legal counsel for your case, we can help.

To learn 8 qualities of the best last-minute trial lawyers, keep reading this blog.

What Are the Main Qualities That Your Last-Minute Trial Attorney Should Possess?

These are some of the main qualities that you will find in the very best last-minute trial attorneys:

  1. The ability to prepare for trial on short notice.
  2. The ability to quickly review all of the evidence in the case.
  3. Developing a winning trial strategy that revolves around a coherent theme and that is supported by the evidence.
  4. Strong communication skills that keep the client informed and also utilize the client to prepare trial strategy.
  5. Storytelling skills and the ability to effectively communicate your narrative to the jury.
  6. Strong people skills that will allow the attorney to establish credibility and gain the trust of the jurors.
  7. Showing respect to everyone involved in the trial, including the judge, the jurors, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
  8. The ability to adapt and be flexible when the trial does not go according to plan.

 

  1. Strong Preparation

One of the biggest keys to trial success is knowing how to plan for any number of situations that could arise during the trial. In fact, the best way to ensure that you are not caught off-guard by the other side’s arguments is to prepare prepare prepare. A good last-minute trial lawyer should be able to quickly get a case ready for trial – even when they are taking over the case on short notice. Additionally, your attorney should know the facts, evidence, and other aspects of the case better than anyone, including you.

  1. Quickly Review Evidence

When taking over a late-notice case, it is vital that a parachute trial attorney be capable of quickly reviewing the evidence and assessing the facts. Time is limited in these last-minute trial situations, so a good lawyer needs to know how to efficiently use their time to get up to speed on the case and then start establishing the themes and strategies that will be most effective at trial.

  1. Winning Trial Strategy

Speaking of trial strategy, one of the most important qualities of emergency counsel is the ability to develop a strong trial strategy even when there is only a short amount of time to do so. Good trial lawyers can review case facts and evidence to formulate a coherent trial strategy, but great trial lawyers are able to go a step further and develop a strategy that is likely to persuade the jury. It’s not enough to merely present the facts; your attorney needs to show why the facts and evidence in the case point to the conclusion that you are on the right side of the law.

  1. Communication with the Client

Attorneys need to be able to communicate well with their clients. This is especially important when the trial date is approaching because the client will often be the one person who possesses insight into the case that no one else has. For last-minute trial representation, communication with the client is vital to developing the strongest possible strategy. Additionally, clients need to be kept informed and up to date on any case developments so that they feel confident in their attorney’s approach and ability to handle the case.

  1. Communication to the Jury

The ability to communicate the client’s story to the jury is one of the most important skills that a last-minute trial attorney can possess. Trial lawyers need to be great storytellers if they are going to convince jurors that their client’s story is the one that should be believed. A good trial lawyer should be able to speak clearly and effectively so that the jurors understand the issues at the heart of the case. A trial lawyer also needs to be concise in how they communicate facts to the jury so that complicated legal issues can be distilled into an easy-to-follow story.

  1. People Skills

Part of communicating to the jury is being liked by the jury. That’s because jurors are human beings first and foremost, and they are more likely to understand and empathize with one side over the other in a trial when they can relate to that side. If your lawyer possesses great people skills and can build a strong rapport with the jury as the trial is happening, then your chances of winning at the end of the trial improve significantly.

  1. Showing Respect

Every trial lawyer understands just how important it is to show respect to the judge, jurors, opposing counsel, and court officials throughout the trial. You always want to make a good impression when the trial starts, especially on the members of the jury who will be deciding the outcome. Not only is your attorney’s demeanor a reflection on you, but it can also make a huge difference when the judge issues rulings and when the jury renders a verdict.

  1. Flexibility

Trials rarely go according to plan because there are so many variables at play, including the opposing side’s arguments. An effective last-minute trial attorney will be adaptable in any situation and be ready to adjust their approach at a moment’s notice.

Los Angeles Litigators with Broad Trial Experience

The Los Angeles litigators at Tauler Smith LLP are often called in at the last possible moment when the parties realize that trial is inevitable and their current lawyers are not ready to win the case in front of a judge or jury. Our skilled last-minute trial team has broad experience arguing in courtrooms throughout the country, including local courts, appellate courts, and federal courts in California, Texas, New York, and Florida. We are well versed in trial strategy, and we know how to submit briefs and make arguments throughout the pre-trial stage as well.

Contact the Experienced California Last-Minute Trial Lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP

Do you need an experienced litigator to try your case? The California last-minute trial team at Tauler Smith LLP enjoys doing the hard work that goes into preparing a case for trial, whether it’s a business litigation case, an employment claim, or a breach of fiduciary duty complaint. We also shine in the courtroom, where it is vital that your story is presented to the judge and jury in the most compelling and persuasive way possible.

Call 310-590-3927 or email us to schedule a free consultation.

Last-Minute Trial Lawyers

5 Signs You Need a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

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Last-Minute Trial Lawyers

If you are frustrated with your current attorneys, it is important to understand why that is. What are the 5 signs you need a last-minute trial lawyer? Perhaps your current lawyer is not telling the right story about your case and failing to focus on the right things. Or maybe they are trying too hard to settle when it is clear that you want to go to trial. Once you recognize that your attorneys are not getting the job done, it may be time for you to hire replacement counsel to represent you at trial in your business fraud case, breach of fiduciary duty complaint, intellectual property claim, employment law matter, or other legal dispute.

Read this blog to learn the signs you need a last-minute trial attorney to handle your case.

Experienced Last-Minute Trial Counsel Can Prepare Your Case at the 11th Hour

Sometimes, it becomes clear that your current lawyer just isn’t effective. This can be even more obvious when your current lawyer is not prepared to handle your case during the impending trial. Consulting with emergency counsel about your last-minute trial situation may be just the thing you need to get the case back on track.

Trial preparation is vital if you are going to have any chance of winning the case when it is presented to a judge or jury. The Los Angeles last-minute trial attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP know how to prepare a case at the eleventh hour because we have done it before in state and federal courtrooms across the country, including California, Texas, New York, and Florida. Our experienced litigators will provide you with a last-minute consultation to evaluate your case in advance of an upcoming trial. Whether your trial is still a few months away or it is just about to start, we can help you. We will take a hard look at the evidence, witness transcripts, and case briefs, and then come up with an effective trial strategy that is tailored to your particular case.

Red Flags That Your Current Attorneys Are Not Ready for Trial

You need to pay careful attention to your attorneys in the months and weeks leading up to trial. If you determine that your current counsel is not prepared for trial, or that they are simply unwilling to take the case to trial, you should consider getting outside assistance for last-minute trial representation.

There are a number of red flags that you need to be on the lookout for when it comes to your current legal representation. These are a few of the signs that you may need to hire a parachute trial lawyer:

  1. You are not being included in the trial preparation process.
  2. The case is getting more complicated.
  3. Your current attorneys are unreasonably overconfident about winning at trial.
  4. Your current attorneys are afraid to take the case to trial.
  5. Your current attorneys are not prepared to communicate your story to the jury.

 

  1. You Are Not Being Included in Trial Preparation

Even if you are involved in a complex legal dispute, your attorney should still strive to make sure that you understand everything involved in the case and that you are being included in the formation and development of trial strategy. Your involvement in strategizing for trial can be extremely important because you have unique insight into the case facts, parties, evidence, etc. Additionally, the trial is going to be your opportunity to have your story presented to a judge or jury in an official legal setting, and you should certainly have a say in what kind of story gets told and which arguments are made.

  1. The Case Is Getting Too Complicated

Experienced litigators recognize that your case is supposed to get easier to understand as the trial date approaches. If that is not happening, and if the amount of evidence and number of claims and defenses is greatly expanding, then you need to consider whether your current legal counsel is who you want handling the trial and arguing your case to a judge or jury. The reality is that preparing a strong trial strategy is almost always going to be easier when attorneys are able to focus on a few key arguments that can be presented to jurors in a comprehensible way.

  1. Your Attorneys Are Overconfident

It’s good for a lawyer to be confident about winning a case at trial, but you don’t want your attorney to be so confident that they ignore obvious warning signs. Attorneys need to rigorously test their arguments before trial, and this typically involves anticipating counterarguments that might be raised by the other side. Unfortunately, some lawyers become so enamored with their own case that they can’t recognize possible flaws and weak spots, which is how winnable cases end up being lost once the trial begins. Bringing on new last-minute trial representation who can offer a fresh perspective is often the best move you can make in these situations because it will allow you to challenge your own arguments and then craft the best possible trial strategy.

  1. Your Attorneys Are Afraid to Go to Trial

The flip side of an attorney having too much confidence about a case is an attorney who does not have enough confidence to take a case to trial. Unfortunately, far too many lawyers simply don’t have experience actually trying cases in a courtroom, which causes them to seek bad settlements on behalf of their clients rather than pursuing justice at trial. The California last-minute trial team at Tauler Smith LLP is not afraid to take on late-notice cases and go to trial. We prepare every case with the expectation that it will go to trial, and we do so with meticulous precision.

  1. Your Attorneys Can’t Communicate to Jury

The trial is your opportunity to tell the jury your story so that they understand why you deserve to win. When your lawyer is not capable of developing a jury-friendly story that can be easily understood, things can go off the rails very quickly. Additionally, the failure of your attorney to persuade the jury will open the door for the other side to “educate” jurors and frame the case in a way that is not favorable to you. You always want your story to be the one that gets communicated to the jury, but this requires a compelling theme and strong storytelling skills, which is what effective litigators are best at. A new lawyer can help you craft a clear-cut, unified message and ensure that the jury hears what you want them to hear during the trial.

Need Emergency Legal Counsel? Contact an Experienced California Last-Minute Trial Lawyer

If you have lost confidence in your trial counsel and the trial date is looming, you need to act quickly. The California last-minute trial lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP have been practicing in litigation for their entire legal careers. We can discuss your case and help you evaluate your options, whether the trial date is 90 days away or coming up next week.

Call 310-590-3927 or send us an email to discuss your case.

What Is a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer?

What Is a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer?

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What Is a Last-Minute Trial Lawyer?

If you’ve got a looming trial and no longer have confidence in the ability of your current attorney to effectively represent you in court, a last-minute trial lawyer may be your best chance to win the case and get justice. But what is a last-minute trial lawyer? And how can they get you ready to win your case at a late stage?

Read this blog to learn how last-minute trial counsel can help you win your case.

How a Last-Minute Trial Attorney Can Help You Win Your Case

Trials are difficult to win under ordinary circumstances. A case outcome can turn on a number of different factors, including the opening statement, the introduction of exhibits and supporting evidence, motions made during the trial, cross-examination of opposing witnesses, and the closing argument. All of this is made even more difficult when you hire a new lawyer to replace your current legal counsel who you no longer trust to handle your case. That’s where a California last-minute trial attorney can step in and be most effective.

A last-minute trial attorney is a legal professional who takes over a case during the later stages (e.g., when there is an imminent trial). If your case is headed to trial and you are not fully confident in the ability of your current counsel to represent you in court, you need to seriously consider making a change before it’s too late.

Quick Preparation

Last-minute trial counsel must be able to get up to speed on extremely short notice because there typically isn’t much time to prepare for trial. Additionally, once the trial begins, your attorney needs to possess significant skill as a litigator because they will have to argue your case and persuade the judge or jury that you are on the right side.

Trial-Ready Lawyers

A last-minute trial lawyer specializes in taking over cases with impending trials. If your case is entering the eleventh hour and trial is about to commence, it is critically important for you to be represented by an attorney who has the ability to try a late-notice case in front of a judge or jury. Not every litigator has the ability to handle a case on short notice because there is so much that goes into preparing for trial.

Courtroom Experience

Once the trial starts, your attorney will need to be exceptional at arguing the case. The Los Angeles last-minute trial team at Tauler Smith LLP has extensive courtroom experience and a track record of success in 11th-hour trials that you can rely on. When time is limited, you want an attorney who possesses all the requisite legal skills to win your case. Our attorneys have been called in to try cases in courtrooms throughout the United States, including California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

California Parachute Trial Lawyers Who Will Prepare a Winning Trial Strategy for Your Case

A good trial lawyer will not just ask questions about the elements of the claim. Your trial lawyer should also be asking questions about the evidence in the case and the witnesses that they plan to put on the stand at trial – and this should always be done with the jury in mind. If the jurors don’t find your evidence believable or your witnesses credible, then they are unlikely to render a verdict in your favor.

The California parachute trial attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP are uniquely suited to being nimble and working as a team. When you hire us, we will immediately get to work reviewing the facts so that we can understand the case quickly and craft a winning trial strategy. And then we will get the job done once the trial starts because we make a strong impression in the courtroom. Other attorneys, judges, and our peers in the legal profession know what to expect when they see us walk into court: fearless, impassioned representation of our clients.

Contact the Los Angeles Last-Minute Trial Lawyers at Tauler Smith LLP for Immediate Assistance

Do you need last-minute trial representation to save your case from certain defeat? The skilled attorneys at Tauler Smith LLP have decades of experience representing clients in cases involving business fraud, identity theft, breach of fiduciary duty, employment law defense, and criminal defense. We also know how to effectively prepare a case for a last-minute trial at the eleventh hour.

Call 310-590-3927 or email us now.