National Coordinating Counsel should have a support staff of medical professionals and technical paralegals who assist in discovery,medical preparation of the case and trial preparation. It is crucial to develop an effective long range defense strategy early. All activity in individual cases should echo the defense theme. Investigation should lead to a solid, supportable product story from development to design, testing, marketing, customer relations, government regulations, personnel and documentation. At trial, the defense theme is then explained at the opening, reinforced during presentation of the evidence, and retold at closing.
Asbestos litigation is an example of the team approach.
In-House attorneys are the key resource of company information and they act as a liaison between the company and National Coordinating Counsel. They spearhead investigations on company history and corporate witnesses. They work directly with National Counsel on problematic expert and discovery issues. National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation works to achieve a unified defense by supervising local counsel and by developing case management, settlement and trial strategy. It maintains national trial and discovery calendars.