Litigation attorneys must have specific substantive areas of expertise.
General skills include:
- Legal research;
- Conducting discovery;
- Taking and defending depositions;
- Preparation of witnesses;
- Persuasive writing skills;
- Motion practice;
- Trial experience; and
- Appellate experience.
A litigation attorney will conduct document review and provide legal research on discovery matters. They draft summary judgment motions and other significant motions. They can take and defend depositions and appear in court at hearings. If a trial is required the attorney will appear in Court to cross-examine witnesses, pick a jury, conduct the trial and do opening and closing arguments.