Trial Notebook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Paralegals and Associates
Over the years, Lisa has practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law and general civil liability. Lisa have extensive bench and jury trial. She also graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and attended law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law.
2 hour CLE
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Program Summary
A trial is won or lost on retrieval — the exhibit produced in seconds, the witness file open before the judge finishes the question — and the trial notebook is where that capacity holds or collapses. The move from paper binders to electronic notebooks bought speed but introduced new failure modes: version-control errors that surface mid-trial, privileged material left exposed in a shared file, and an attorney fumbling software no one trained them to run. With courtrooms built around electronic exhibits and presentation technology, the disorganized notebook is a live liability. Associates and paralegals build and run that notebook — often without a system — while the trial lawyer relies on it without auditing how it was assembled. This program builds the notebook from intake timelines and document identification through checklists organized by witness, exhibit, or theme, strict version control tied to pre-trial orders, electronic-notebook software selection and integration with physical materials, and courtroom techniques for instant access, exclusion calls, and safeguarding privilege. Attendees leave able to build a notebook that performs under pressure and keeps the trial moving.
Key topics to be discussed:
- Early Preparation Strategies
- Checklists and Organization Techniques
- Mastering Electronic Trial Notebooks
- Maximizing Trial Notebook Utility in the Courtroom
- Case Studies and Real-World Applications
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: June 9, 2026
- 2:00 pm – 4:10 pm Eastern
- 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm Central
- 12:00 pm – 2:10 pm Mountain
- 11:00 am – 1:10 pm Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Lisa M. Szyc | Backus Burden
I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. I attended law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law. I was admitted to the Nevada bar in 2009. Over the years I have practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law and general civil liability. I have extensive bench and jury trial experience and think being a litigator is one of the best parts of being a lawyer. When I am not advocating for my clients I am actively involved in giving back to my community in various philanthropic endeavors.
Agenda
I. Early Preparation Strategies | 2:00pm – 2:20pm
- Importance of early preparation in trial success
- Establishing timelines for gathering materials
- Identifying key documents and evidence
- Strategies for effective communication with the legal team
- What is the purpose of your trial notebook (there can be more than one)
II. Checklists and Organization Techniques | 2:20pm – 2:40pm
- Creating comprehensive checklists for trial preparation
- Organizing materials logically (e.g., by witness, exhibit, or theme)
- Techniques for minimizing clutter and ensuring vital information is included
- Tips for maintaining version control of documents
- Have you looked at the Pre-trial Orders?
III. Mastering Electronic Trial Notebooks | 2:40pm – 3:00pm
- Popular electronic trial notebook software and tools
- Features to look for in electronic trial notebooks
- Integrating electronic documents with physical materials
- Strategies for using technology effectively in the courtroom
- Have you properly trained your attorney?
Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm
IV. Maximizing Trial Notebook Utility in the Courtroom | 3:10pm – 3:40pm
- Techniques for quick access to information during trial
- Strategies for presenting evidence effectively using the notebook
- Adapting to the dynamic nature of courtroom proceedings
- Maintaining organization under pressure
- What you leave out can be as important as what you include- do not put everything and the kitchen sink in your trial notebook
- Be mindful of privileged information- in the notebook in the courtroom
V. Case Studies and Real-World Applications | 3:40pm – 4:10pm
- Analyzing successful trial notebooks from various cases
- Lessons learned from trial experiences
- Discussion of common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Preview
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