By some metrics, fewer than 1% of all civil cases filed in the federal courts in the United States go to trial. Thus, even the most seasoned civil litigators may not actually bring cases to trial with any frequency. Even for those litigators who appear before juries and benches more often, there can sometimes be tricks of the trade that are overlooked in the midst of a busy schedule.

Most civil litigators know the parameters of the rules of evidence and rules of civil procedure, even if they do not regularly take cases to trial. But focusing only on those rules may hamstring a lawyer preparing for a big trial. Here are some insider tips for things that lawyers may not know about taking cases to trial.