In 2025, technology holds a well-established place in the legal profession. And even though there are headlines about emerging tech itself being on trial,1 the pros of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and other advanced tech far outweigh the cons for legal teams.
Trial technology is a wide-ranging field of technological tools and services that make it easier for attorneys and firms to prepare for, conduct, and present their best case. The tools on offer can vary widely, and it’s imperative to find the right combination of technological capability and support from a quality provider to get the most out of them. However, that’s easier said than done.
So, below, we’ll explain what to look for in an ideal partner—and what tech to prioritize.
What is Trial Technology, and Why Does it Matter?
Trial technology encompasses the tech-created and tech-aided components of a courtroom trial that help bring a legal strategy to life, convince jurors, and hopefully win cases. With the support of an effective trial tech partner, the creation and presentation of such elements will go more smoothly, maximizing results while minimizing the workload on legal professionals.
One of the reasons trial technology has become so essential in the courtroom is that it has become commonplace for the vast majority of people. Judges, juries, witnesses, and all other individuals who contribute to a case have been inoculated into a modern media environment where they expect to receive information in technology-aided ways (i.e., audio and video, together). Studies have also shown that people retain about 10% of what they hear and 20% of what they see three days later, whereas information seen and heard is retained up to 50%.2
What to Look for in a Trial Technology Partner
Trial technology partners are providers who offer tools, support, and hands-on operation during trials to legal teams. By enmeshing themselves seamlessly into the fabric of your legal presentation, they help your team maximize its chances of receiving the best possible outcome, raising both the ceiling and the floor by minimizing access issues and ensuring everything operates as smoothly as it can.
To that end, these partners need to have a breadth and depth of experience and expertise in the legal profession, including specialization in whatever area(s) of law your team is dealing with. However, they also need to have technological chops and the ability to communicate effectively about them, facilitating technology use even for less tech-savvy individuals.
Legal Expertise and Experience
Trials are one of the most high-leverage encounters legal professionals engage in, requiring exceptional education, preparation, training, and experience to get right.
It stands to reason that technology used in trials should be informed by that same level of expertise and experience. Legal knowledge needs to be at the basis of its development, its provision and use, and any upkeep or maintenance needed to keep it running. You want trial tech made by and for lawyers and legal professionals. And you want the people providing the tools and services to themselves to carry years of experience conducting—and supporting—trials.
Technological Wherewithal and Support
You’ll want partners who are on the cutting edge of technological development, incorporating new and emerging tools and sensibilities at every opportunity. For instance, you could seek out partners that are making strides to utilize generative AI to reshape trial prep.
The other side of this competency, however, is making sure that technological advantages are accessible to all parties. The best tech partners should be able and willing to provide support to your team. The ideal trial tech partner should have expertise in development, deployment, and dissemination, facilitating easier, faster, and more successful trials for all parties involved.
Being tech-savvy isn’t enough on its own, but it is a prerequisite for quality trial tech service.
Different Types of Trial Technology Services
Aside from finding the ideal partner, legal teams looking to get the most out of trial tech also need to think about which specific tools or capabilities make the most sense for them. The best providers offer these services flexibly, either a la carte or in bundles. But the technology you use is almost as important as the partner you choose to shepherd and support you through a trial.
Trial technology services include:
- Design and creation of legal graphics and demonstratives
- Evidence and exhibit display tools
- Courtroom setup and support
- Hot seat operation
The flexibility to choose exactly which functions you need is also a marker of quality in a provider.
Let’s take a closer look at each.
Design and Creation of Legal Graphics and Demonstratives
One of the most essential use cases for trial technology in the contemporary legal landscape is in preparing compelling exhibits in the best formats to support specific legal arguments. Working with a partner who can advise on and produce effective legal graphics and exhibits for use during trial is critical.
This includes working with you to select a blend of:
- Forensic animations
- Medical animations, graphics, and illustrations
- 2D and 3D Models
- Interactive exhibits
- Legal graphics of concepts, images, narratives, timelines, and more
While exhibit design is as much art as science, it’s not any design firm that can do the job. The right partner will integrate their deep knowledge and experience in the legal field—along with specialized knowledge for particular practice areas—to ensure that graphics and other evidentiary materials are technically sound and suited to the specific kinds of arguments you’re making.
Evidence and Exhibit Display Tools
Many legal teams engage hot seat operators to join them in the courtroom and manage trial exhibits, providing technology and presentation support throughout the trial.
Complex exhibits aren’t best utilized by passing them from design to litigation teams. Instead, litigators are joined by specialists who can:
- Find, share, and explore each exhibit as needed
- Zoom in, annotate, and highlight elements to support arguments
- Locate specific audiovisual clips to replay or extract as needed
- Synch multiple displays or presentations of evidence and demonstratives
- Handle fast-change requests when exhibits need immediate alteration
- Provide last-minute graphic updates on-the-fly
In addition to professionally managing presentations at trial, look for a trial tech partner that extends support after the trial concludes. Follow-up surveys, analysis, and other services can help prepare for future cases and/or tie up loose ends that might be left for one or more parties.
Courtroom Setup and Support
Trial technology partners aren’t just there to add flourish to your arguments with high-fidelity audiovisuals, however. They can also provide more comprehensive technology support in the courtroom.
This can include:
- Setup and testing of hardware, connections, access, and software
- Handling tech support issues and interruptions
- Providing alternatives to multimedia presentations in the case of equipment failures
Courtrooms can be tech-laden environments, so in addition to the hot seat operator’s presentation hardware and software, support may extend to:
- Connection to courtroom monitors, sound systems, or other displays
- Recording devices
- Dedicated courtroom audiovisual equipment
- Remote hosting and evidence presentation services
Sources:
- NPR. ‘The New York Times’ takes OpenAI to court. ChatGPT’s future could be on the line. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/14/nx-s1-5258952/new-york-times-openai-microsoft
- JD Supra. Trial by Tech: The Evolution of the Digital Courtroom – Speaking of Litigation Video Podcast. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/trial-by-tech-the-evolution-of-the-digi-20498/
