Trial

Trial practice is a unique area of specialization, learned by experience. Even many seasoned litigators do not have deep, comprehensive trial experience.

HOW WE HELP

Our national Trial team is a dynamic group of experienced jury trial attorneys who have successfully tried all types of cases in state and federal courts across the country. We understand how much is at stake for our corporate clients when they are faced with a trial. From Fortune 500 corporations looking to set a precedent or win a bet-the-company case, to startups with a first-ever trial date fast approaching, clients rely on our Trial team to vigorously defend their interests at trial.

We have represented clients across diverse industries in trials covering a vast range of claims, including but not limited to:

• Employment class and collective actions, including complex discrimination, wage and hour, and ERISA compliance cases
• Single- and multiplaintiff employment, including discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, and safety/OSHA issues
• Complex corporate transactions, including contract disputes, business torts and unfair trade claims, breach of fiduciary duty, and shareholder and director disputes
• Patent, trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property issues
• Franchise, dealer, and distributor disputes
• Trade secrets and unfair competition litigation

Our trial attorneys are truly specialized, with expertise in how to develop a narrative of the case, how to prepare witnesses to testify effectively, how to frame a persuasive opening statement and closing argument, and how to present compelling expert testimony in a manner that resonates with a jury.

Because we have successfully tried so many cases to verdict, we can take your case to trial efficiently and effectively by customizing jury instructions, verdict forms, voir dire, and motions in limine, without having to reinvent the wheel. 

We also have a stable of mock trial and jury consultants with whom we partner regularly as needed to hone our jury message.

Seyfarth also has one of the most sophisticated Appellate teams in the country, allowing us to simultaneously ensure that appellate issues are adequately preserved at trial even as we focus on achieving the right verdict at the trial level.

We have deep experience with high-profile cases. Our team can help a client anticipate and proactively address media coverage and shareholder or customer feedback.

OUR SERVICES

Our clients rely on our ability to consistently and confidently pick up the case at any stage, and obtain favorable results, adding value at any stage of a case.

Original Counsel. Ideally, we defend cases from the very outset, so that we can use every stage of the case to maximum success at trial. From carefully developing affirmative defenses at the beginning of litigation, to evaluating the propriety of plaintiff’s demand for jury trial, to leveraging discovery with an eye toward future trial exhibits and witnesses, our Trial team’s sophisticated understanding of how to try a case informs our work at every stage. 

Takeover Counsel. We also excel when retained to take cases that other firms have litigated through summary judgment. When settlement negotiations falter or the court has denied summary judgment, members of our Trial team frequently pick up the baton to handle the trial and ensure the best possible verdict. We are adept at quickly mastering a case file and preparing a pre-trial and trial strategy. We work collaboratively with prior counsel to understand the case history so that our Trial team can hit the ground running.

Collaborating Counsel. Our team is focused on providing any and all trial support that our clients need. As such, we are happy to collaborate and share our experience with trial teams from other firms. Some clients even ask us to serve as “strategic counsel,” to lend another set of eyes to the facts and law as the case is prepared.

THE SEYFARTH EXPERIENCE

Our team regularly calls upon the firm’s comprehensive Litigation Support and Project Management teams, which provide our clients with the latest technology resources for discovery, production, and trial needs, as well as eDiscovery and data management. This allows us to collaborate closely with clients, effectively manage trial budgets, and efficiently handle trial-related data management and electronic presentation of exhibits.

Our Trial team members share best practices, insights on particular judges and venues, track the latest and best trial management and presentation technologies, and develop innovative new trial strategies, tactics, and practices. We also maintain a valuable internal knowledge bank containing motions in limine, jury instructions, voir dire, and pre-trial orders. This is important for our clients because it allows team members to stay up-to-date on trial practice and share work product for increased efficiency and state-of-the art representation.