The first criminal trial for former president and current criminal defendant Donald J. Trump is a few weeks in, with jurors selected and witness testimony proceeding. The trial, being held in Manhattan criminal court, is set to last six to eight weeks. Trump, also as expected, has been a defiant and, at times, confusing defendant, already fined for violating a gag order regarding attacking members of the court and their families.

But all the posturing in the world…won't change the fact that the former president needs to be in the courtroom for the trial. ALM litigation reporter Emily Saul–a veteran of many high-profile trials–has been in the courtroom every day of the trial.