“ Becoming a litigator isn’ t about waiting for trial— it’ s about building toward it every day.”— Madison Mougey, Esq. to get her perspective. Becca taught me that trial work is built long before anyone steps into a courtroom. It starts with the discipline of knowing the case inside and out. Becca made it clear that litigation is not bound to opening statements or closing arguments. It’ s built in the details— mastering the documents, understanding the evidence, and knowing the players better than anyone else in the room. The best trial lawyers aren’ t just strong presenters; they are also experts in the record.
Over time, those skills build into something bigger: mastery of the case. Understanding the timeline, the key documents, and the key witnesses, how everything fits together into a cohesive story. That’ s what makes someone valuable to the trial team— your team.
For young attorneys, one of the quickest ways to become involved in litigation is to make yourself indispensable to the team around you. You may need guidance on complex legal decisions here and there, but nothing is stopping you from learning the software that drives modern litigation, mastering the technology behind document review platforms, and building systems that make the team more efficient.
I’ m not saying young lawyers should come into a case and immediately try to reinvent the wheel. Some of the best lessons come from slowing down, listening, and understanding why things are done a certain way before proposing a better workflow. The paralegals and administrators around you are not just resources; they are some of the most experienced people in the room when it comes to how litigation actually functions day by day. Learn from them, respect them, and be hands-on with every stage of the case.
If that all feels beneath you, litigation is beyond you.
Just as important, young lawyers should not feel pressure to pretend they know everything. No one expects that. In fact, one of the quickest ways to lose credibility is to stop being curious. If you do not know how to use a platform or piece of software, learn it. Use your firm’ s resources, attend trainings, lean on vendor support teams, and take the initiative to figure it out. In complex litigation, the attorneys who create value early are the ones who consistently raise their hands, remain teachable, and make the work easier for everyone around them.