Let’s be honest: nobody goes to law school dreaming about the moment they’ll frantically search for Exhibit 47 while a witness is mid-testimony and the judge is visibly losing patience.
Yet somehow, that’s become the norm.
Attorneys and paralegals are expected to be litigators, strategists, evidence managers, tech support, and A/V specialists all at once. And when something goes wrong with the technology (because it always does) – everyone in the courtroom feels it.
What Actually Happens Without Trial Presentation Support
Picture this: You’re in the middle of cross-examination. The witness just said something that completely contradicts their deposition from six months ago. You know exactly where that video clip is. You need it now.
But you’re also:
• Watching the jury
• Listening for objections
• Tracking your next three questions
…and somehow you’re supposed to cue up the right timestamp while maintaining eye contact and credibility. Something has to give. Usually, it’s the smooth flow of your argument—or your blood pressure.
For paralegals, it’s even worse. You’ve already pulled all-nighters prepping exhibits, organizing binders, coordinating witnesses, and keeping the entire operation from falling apart. Now you’re also expected to troubleshoot HDMI cables and remember which version of that PowerPoint has the updated graphics?
Hard pass.
Enter: The Hot Seat Technician
A hot seat technician is like your courtroom co-pilot. They sit right there in the courtroom, managing every piece of visual evidence in real time, so you don’t have to.
They handle:
• Pulling up exhibits the second you need them
• Playing deposition video with precise page-and-line control
• Highlighting key portions of documents on the fly
• Zooming, annotating, and side-by-side comparisons
• Pivoting instantly when testimony goes sideways – because it will.
Your job becomes pure advocacy. Their job is making sure the tech never gets in your way.
Why This Actually Matters (Beyond Just “It’s Nice to Have”)
1. Jurors Remember What They See
That medical timeline you spent weeks perfecting? It needs to land visually, at the exact right moment, without a single glitch that pulls focus.
2. Credibility is Fragile
Nothing tanks credibility faster than fumbling with technology. Awkward pauses, saying “sorry, give me just one second,” and muttering at a frozen screen are all things that the judge and the jury notice.
A smooth, professional presentation signals competence and preparedness. A tech meltdown signals… not that.
3. Strategy Doesn’t Wait for Buffering
Witnesses go rogue. Judges change the order mid-stream. Your opponent springs something unexpected. When you need to adjust on the fly, you can’t afford to be wrestling with software.
A hot seat technician keeps you nimble. You call an audible, they execute it. Done.
5. Your Paralegal Shouldn’t Have to Be IT Support
Paralegals are already doing the Lord’s work holding the entire trial together. Exhibit tabs, witness coordination, last-minute filings, attorney caffeine management – the list goes on.
Asking them to also run courtroom tech isn’t just unfair. It’s a setup for mistakes nobody has time to fix.
What working with Gallo looks like:
Our hot seat techs work directly with your team to:
• Organize and load all exhibits and video clips
• Test every piece of equipment before trial starts
• Create backup plans for the backup plans
• Sit in the courtroom from opening statements through verdict
• Respond instantly to whatever you need, whenever you need it
We’re not “tech people” who happen to show up in court. We’re trial professionals who understand courtroom protocol, attorney workflow, and what it takes to support a case under pressure.
We work quietly, we don’t create drama, and we make you look good, which is exactly the point.
You shouldn’t have to choose between being an effective advocate and being a competent tech operator. You shouldn’t have to hope everything works. And your paralegal shouldn’t have to add “AV specialist” to an already hectic job description.
Ready to stop stressing about courtroom tech? Let’s talk about how Gallo can support your next trial. Contact us today and give yourself one less thing to worry about.
