Instead of hauling the entire file back and forth to court every day, it may be advantageous to keep a large portion of the file at a local office near the courthouse. Receiving phone calls or making them in the privacy of the local counsel's office is another advantage, rather than relying on pay phones or cell phones. It may seem like a luxury, but bringing computers loaded with research tools, a clerk, a secretary and a messenger may become a necessity in order to develop new written responses or research. Even getting a quick sandwich or copying a document may become time-consuming tasks for you if you don't anticipate and plan ahead. Taking an assistant to help carry trial boxes may avoid making two and three trips to the courthouse.
Time is of the essence during breaks.
Use it wisely. Never be the lawyer who skips a beat, causing needless delay, before a judge who is intolerant of anyone's squandering time. It may sound simplistic, but don't forget to plan all of your movements from the hotel to the courthouse. If possible, pick a hotel or even rent a house near the courthouse to avoid rushhours or excessive travel. Every decision must be made with an eye toward efficiency.