Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Jury Field Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Jury Field Technician, often known as a Trial Technician or "Hot Seat" Operator, is the crucial on-site technology expert for a legal team during trial. This role is a unique blend of technical prowess, strategic thinking, and composure under pressure. You are the individual responsible for ensuring that all digital evidence—from documents and emails to video depositions and complex animations—is presented clearly, seamlessly, and persuasively to the judge, jury, and opposing counsel. Success in this position means empowering the trial attorneys to focus on their arguments, confident that the technological aspects of their presentation are in expert hands. You are the conductor of the courtroom's digital orchestra.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Paralegal or Legal Assistant with a tech focus
Audiovisual (AV) Technician
IT Support Specialist
Litigation Support Clerk

Advancement To:

Senior Jury Field Technician / Senior Trial Consultant
Litigation Support Manager
Director of Trial Technology
Independent Trial Technology Consultant

Lateral Moves:

E-Discovery Specialist
Forensic Technology Analyst
Litigation Paralegal

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Set up, operate, and troubleshoot a comprehensive suite of courtroom technology, including projectors, monitors, document cameras (ELMOs), sound systems, and video conferencing equipment for remote witnesses.
Manage, organize, and prepare extensive electronic case files, evidence databases, and demonstratives using specialized trial presentation software like TrialDirector, OnCue, or Sanction.
Collaborate directly with attorneys and legal teams during intensive pre-trial preparations to develop and refine a comprehensive technology strategy for presenting evidence effectively.
Execute the flawless, real-time, in-courtroom presentation of electronic evidence, including documents, photographs, surveillance footage, and animations, as directed by the trial attorney.
Create, edit, and designate key video clips from depositions, meticulously syncing transcripts to the video for impeachment purposes or to be played for the jury.
Digitize and process a high volume of physical documents, exhibits, and other case materials, ensuring they are properly coded, formatted, and optimized for digital presentation.
Provide immediate, on-the-spot technical support and creative problem-solving for all hardware and software issues that may arise during high-stakes trial proceedings.
Conduct thorough pre-trial site inspections of courtrooms and war rooms to assess technical capabilities, identify potential challenges, and plan all equipment and logistical needs.
Manage the design and creation of persuasive visual aids, such as interactive timelines, complex charts, informational graphs, and dynamic PowerPoint presentations, in close partnership with the legal team.
Coordinate the seamless integration of remote witness testimony via various video conferencing platforms, ensuring stable connections and clear audio/video for the court record.
Maintain a detailed and meticulously organized database of all trial exhibits, accurately tracking their evidentiary status (e.g., admitted, for identification only, withdrawn) throughout the trial.
Operate annotation tools (telestration) live during witness testimony to highlight, zoom, or call out specific portions of an exhibit being displayed for the jury.
Establish and manage the entire "war room" technology infrastructure at off-site locations, including networking, printers, scanners, and multiple workstations for the trial team.
Provide focused training and patient support to attorneys and paralegals on the effective use of trial presentation software and courtroom technology best practices.
Ensure all digital evidence, presentations, and case databases are backed up redundantly and stored securely to prevent any possibility of data loss.
Serve as the primary technical liaison with court staff, including courtroom deputies, clerks, and IT personnel, to ensure system compatibility and smooth operation of technology within the court's framework.
Assist in the complete setup and technical execution of mock trials and jury focus groups, including recording sessions and managing the presentation of case materials to mock jurors.
Prepare and organize both physical and electronic trial binders, ensuring all necessary documents, deposition transcripts, and exhibits are indexed and readily accessible.
Manage the precise playback of audio and video files during trial, ensuring clips start and stop at the designated points and that volume levels are appropriate.
Systematically deconstruct and securely pack all trial technology equipment post-trial, managing the complex logistics for shipment and return to the home office or next assignment.

Secondary Functions

Maintain a detailed inventory of all proprietary trial technology equipment, ensuring it is consistently updated, properly maintained, and ready for immediate deployment.
Proactively stay current with emerging trends, new software, and advancements in litigation support technology to provide state-of-the-art service.
Assist with essential post-trial activities, such as archiving massive volumes of case data and preparing specific materials or clips required for the appeals process.
Contribute to the development and refinement of internal training materials and best-practice guides for the firm's or company's trial technology team.
Provide constructive feedback to the legal team on the clarity and effectiveness of visual presentations, suggesting improvements for future trials.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Trial Presentation Software Mastery: Deep proficiency with industry-standard software such as TrialDirector, OnCue, Sanction, or equivalent platforms.
Audiovisual Expertise: Strong ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot a wide range of AV equipment, including projectors, screens, monitors, switchers, and audio mixers.
Document & Exhibit Management: Strong command of the Microsoft Office Suite (especially PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat Pro for creating, editing, and managing trial exhibits.
Video Editing & Deposition Syncing: Proven experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Camtasia) for creating and synchronizing deposition clips with transcripts.
Remote Testimony Technology: Knowledge of video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Webex, Teams) and best practices for presenting remote witnesses in a courtroom setting.
Basic Networking: Foundational knowledge of computer networking principles sufficient to set up and manage a secure network in a trial war room.
Graphic Design Acumen: A good eye for design and the ability to use software to create clear, compelling, and persuasive visual aids and demonstratives.
Database Management: Competency in managing large databases of documents and videos, including coding and indexing.

Soft Skills

Grace Under Pressure: Exceptional composure, focus, and professionalism, particularly in a fast-paced, high-stakes courtroom environment where mistakes are not an option.
Client Service & Communication: Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating effectively and building trust with demanding attorneys, paralegals, and court staff.
Rapid Problem-Solving: A natural aptitude for quick, on-the-fly technical troubleshooting and finding creative solutions to unexpected challenges.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to precision and organization, essential for managing thousands of individual exhibits without error.
Adaptability & Flexibility: The ability to work long, unpredictable hours—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—and travel extensively, often on short notice.
Discretion & Confidentiality: Absolute integrity and the ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive case information with the utmost discretion.
Proactive Mindset: The foresight to anticipate the needs of the trial attorney and prepare evidence before it is requested.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree or equivalent, verifiable professional experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Paralegal Studies
Information Technology (IT)
Communications or Media Studies
Computer Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of relevant experience in a litigation support or technology role.

Preferred:

Direct, hands-on experience working in a "hot seat" capacity during trials, arbitrations, or mock trials is highly desirable. Prior work in a law firm, litigation support vendor, or corporate legal department is strongly preferred.