Trial Technology 101
Free overview. What a hot-seat operator does, the software stack, the courtroom AV environment, and why trial tech is paid the way it's paid.
What a trial tech does
Sits at counsel table during trial and operates the presentation software in real time — calling up exhibits, playing deposition video clips, displaying transcript scrolls, switching display sources to courtroom AV. The attorney drives, the trial tech executes.
Why this is the highest-paid pillar
Three reasons. (1) Live pressure — there's no second take. (2) Software fluency — you're operating TrialDirector, OnCue, or a similar tool faster than you can think about it. (3) Stakes — a fumbled exhibit at trial can be worth seven figures. Day rates are typically $1,000–$2,500 plus travel.
The software you have to know
TrialDirector is the legacy industry standard. OnCue is the modern challenger. Some firms run on Trial Pad, Trial Director 365, or proprietary tools. CTTS teaches both TrialDirector and OnCue at proficiency, plus the migration paths between them.
The courtroom AV problem
Federal courthouses, state courthouses, and ad-hoc trial venues all run different AV. You may have to bring your own switcher, distribute your own signal to the jury monitor, the judge's bench, the witness stand, the gallery, and counsel tables — sometimes wired, sometimes wireless, sometimes both. The pre-trial site visit is non-optional.
What pre-trial preparation looks like
Build the exhibit database (often hundreds or thousands of items). Cut and code every deposition video for fast retrieval. Build the synchronization between deposition video and transcript text. Pre-load courtroom-specific configurations. The actual trial is the easy part — pre-trial is where the work is.
Where the work comes from
Direct retention by trial counsel for major cases. Subcontracting through litigation support firms. In-house roles at large law firms. Volume is low — most CTTS holders work 8–15 trials per year — but each engagement is multi-day and well-compensated.
Trial Technology Masterclass
When you're ready, the Trial Technology Masterclass walks through TrialDirector and OnCue at fluency, the synchronization workflow, the courtroom AV environment, and the hot-seat operation that earns the CTTS credential.
The credential that follows: CTTS — Certified Trial Technology Specialist. The credential for the hot seat. Trial presentation, exhibit handling, transcript synchronization, and the technology package that wins the jury's attention without losing the judge's patience.
Who takes this course?
People entering the trial tech side of legal video from a few directions:
Not sure where you fit? The free Legal Video Career Path course gives you the full map across all three pillars.
Ready to actually do trial tech video?
Free 101 covers what you need to know. The Trial Technology Masterclass covers how to do it. The CTTS credential is what you earn at the end.