If you want to learn quickly how to work up a case from start to finish, review the files in your firm's file room. Select a couple of large ones, then read through each piece of paper, paying special attention to the correspondence and pleadings folders.
When I started out at a large defense firms, I followed this tip myself, reviewing both old and active files. It was great way to learn how the lawyers at the firm worked up a case and what went on behind the scenes. I learned about the typical procedural steps from investigation to trial, and I learned how the lawyers at the firm interacted with other lawyers, as well as with witnesses and experts.
Something else that helped: during my file review, whenever I found a letter that I thought would work as a template for other, similar letters, I copied them and put them in a folder. It saved me time and made me feel more confident about my own work product, since now I had a baseline to compare it to.
Related Post: Young Associates: How to Set Yourself Apart
Along those lines... during my first year in law school I made a trial notebook with a tab dedicated to each phase of litigation and trial. I then inserted model documents for each phase of litigation and each aspect of trial. Since I had free Westlaw, I also printed out pages from treaties and practice guides.
Do you have a trial notebook? If so, how is it designed?
Posted by: C&F | January 28, 2005 at 10:25 AM
Here's a post about trial notebooks: "A Method of Organizing a Trial Notebook." The headings are the ones I use.
Posted by: Evan | January 28, 2005 at 12:06 PM