As more and more trials involve counsel from multiple law firms, it is important to set trial teams up for success. After obtaining a defense verdict in a two-week long trial in Orlando, with seven lawyers from five different states and two different law firms, the authors reflected on what made their trial team a "Dream Team," from both the client and lawyer perspective.

Who Is Doing What?

One of the most important aspects to maintaining an effective multiple-law-firm team is establishing, early on, who is going to be doing what. It needs to be clear to the team, the client, and (eventually) the jury which attorney, for example, is leading the charge. It is also helpful to clearly designate a point person for talking to the client and talking to opposing counsel throughout trial. Designating an assistant or paralegal or outside vendor to handle the day-to-day logistics is essential so these tasks don't default to senior members of the team (all too often senior women), who should be focused on the most important tasks of trial.

Having designated roles is a simple, but necessary, requirement to maintaining an effective multiple law firm team. To assure success, facilitate discussions early regarding the roles each member will be playing in the case, the tasks they will be taking on, and how key decisions will be escalated to the client. By clearly delineating everyone's role from the start, each member can take ownership of their duties and become comfortable in their position on the team. Such delineation promotes teamwork and collaboration, and it communicates to the client that every item is being efficiently handled.