Trial Notebook

Trial week is beautiful chaos. And the thing standing between you and a 2 a.m. panic spiral isn’t talent or luck — it’s a system that holds everything in one place.

That’s the trial notebook.

Mine has 22 tabbed sections: index, case info, calendar, tasks, witnesses, exhibits, filings, depositions, jury, a daily log for every trial day, logistics, and an after-trial wrap-up. When you can't get a hold of one of your key witnesses, you're not digging through a banker's box. You flip to a tab.

The real index page: every section, one click away.

Here's the best part: you don't have to build one. I already did. The exact template — print it, fill it in, walk in ready.

Every witness, every exhibit, every day of trial — each gets its own page and its own tab.

The real witness tracker: who's testifying, subpoenas, and scheduling — all on one page.

A real daily log page: one per trial day, so nothing slips.

It's free when you join The Law Closet newsletter. One signup and it's yours — plus my best posts every other Sunday.

And while you're here: grab my trial-bag checklist too. Showing up prepared starts before you pack. You can also browse my other freebies.

— The Law Closet