By Chere B. Estrin
I still remember one of my first big trials. It was 11:30 p.m. the night before opening statements. The “war room” looked like it had been hit by a legal tornado: exhibit boxes everywhere, sticky notes stuck to the coffee pot, and a stack of witness binders that seemed to multiply overnight. Somewhere, an attorney was pacing, muttering about a missing exhibit.
And then, there was the paralegal. Calm. Focused. She flipped through her color-coded folders, located the missing exhibit in seconds, and somehow restored order to what looked like chaos on steroids. By morning, the entire team was running like clockwork.
That’s when it hit me:
Behind every great trial team is a paralegal who doesn’t just survive the chaos: they orchestrate it.
But back then, I didn’t quite know that yet.
My Managing Partner was cool, calm, and, well, overboard with directions. “Chere,” he said, “no rush. Take all night if necessary.” I remember thinking, Oh good, I’ll let the cleaning crew know we’ll be bonding over bagels at sunrise. Those were the nights that taught me more about trial prep than any course or manual ever could.
The New Face of the Trial Team
These days, I interview hundreds of paralegals for high-stakes litigation roles – six-figure positions in AmLaw firms and major corporations. And here’s what’s changed: firms are no longer automatically sending associates to trial.
They’re sending seasoned paralegals.
Why? Because paralegals bring cost efficiency, continuity, and logistical mastery that attorneys simply don’t have time for. But here’s the problem: too many brilliant paralegals were never taught how to run a trial. They know discovery, pleadings, and filings, but when it comes to managing war rooms, coordinating witnesses, handling tech, or anticipating attorney needs, they’re left to figure it out the hard way – on the job, trial by fire (pardon the pun).
That missing skill set can make or break a career and it’s the reason some paralegals hit a salary ceiling while others soar past it.
Turning Trial Prep Chaos into Courtroom Confidence
That’s exactly why this program exists. After years of hearing the same stories from candidates and firm managers, I wanted to help bridge that gap.
This two-part webinar, taught by the outstanding Tracey Perkins, was created to give paralegals the tactical and leadership skills to manage trials from start to finish: from discovery command to in-court execution.
Tracey is the real deal. She’s a veteran litigation paralegal, UC Irvine Paralegal Instructor, and creator of the ParaLeader™ framework. She’s built trial war rooms, managed national cases, and knows firsthand what it takes to be the calm in the courtroom storm.
This isn’t theory. It’s practical, step-by-step guidance, with checklists, templates, and systems you can apply immediately. And yes, it’s approved for 2 hours of California CLE credit.
What You’ll Learn
- Discovery & Workflow Command: Manage productions, privilege logs, and timelines with precision.
- Trial Prep Systems: Build repeatable, organized processes for exhibits, witnesses, and filings.
- War Room Leadership: Run logistics, vendors, and communications under real-world pressure.
- Courtroom Execution: Tech checks, transcripts, and overnight readiness: all under control.
Why It Matters
The legal profession is shifting. Firms are relying on paralegals more than ever; not just for document prep, but for case management, leadership, and trial execution. Those who master trial operations are becoming indispensable. And yes, they’re being paid accordingly.
I see it every week: paralegals with courtroom and case management skills are the ones landing six-figure salaries. They’re not just working cases – they’re running them.
So if you’ve ever found yourself surrounded by trial binders, late-night emails, and the distinct smell of stress thinking, “There has to be a better way,” – there is. And it starts here.
Event Details
Noon – 1 PM Pacific / 3 PM – 4 PM Eastern October 28 and 30th, 2025
Two-Part Live Webinar 2 Hours California CLE Credit Instructor: Tracey Perkins
Register Here https://conta.cc/4qepeef
Courtroom confidence isn’t born overnight. It’s built trial by trial, checklist by checklist, leader by leader.
See you there, Chere
Chere Estrin is the CEO of Estrin Legal Staffing and founder of The Estrin Report. She’s been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and CBS News. When she’s not placing legal professionals in amazing jobs, she’s writing about how to thrive—not just survive—in your career. Chere@EstrinLegalStaffing.com