A Practice Note addressing key issues that counsel should consider to prepare for a civil trial in federal court. This Practice Note includes tasks for counsel to perform, such as assembling a trial team, conducting mock jury exercises, making logistical arrangements, organizing documents, filing pretrial motions, preparing witnesses, exhibits, and deposition designations, drafting an opening statement and closing argument, preparing jury instructions and the proposed final pretrial order (or pretrial stipulation), and ensuring that the courtroom is ready for trial.