Hearing Prep

---
name: hearing-prep
description: Generates structured hearing preparation briefings from case documents, evidence, authorities, and procedural details. Use when preparing for court hearings, administrative hearings, arbitrations, trials, motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, or status conferences.
---

# Hearing Preparation Summary

Synthesizes case materials into a structured briefing document for advance preparation and quick reference during proceedings.

## Prerequisites

- **Case documents** — pleadings, discovery, correspondence, exhibits
- **Hearing details** — date, time, location, presiding judge/officer, proceeding type
- **Witness information** — expected witnesses, depositions, declarations
- **Legal authority** — controlling statutes, rules, case law

## Output Structure

### 1. Procedural Header

Table with: hearing date/time, location/courtroom, presiding judge/officer, proceeding type (motion hearing / evidentiary / status conference / trial / other), matters to be addressed, filing deadlines.

### 2. Case Background

- Parties and relationship
- Genesis of dispute
- Chronological procedural history through current posture
- Prior rulings or orders affecting this hearing
- Cite source documents for every factual assertion

### 3. Issue Analysis

For each discrete issue the court will consider:

- **Issue statement** — one-sentence framing
- **Factual background** — key facts with document citations
- **Legal standard** — controlling statute/rule/case law; mark uncertain citations `[VERIFY]`
- **Our position** — arguments and supporting evidence
- **Opposing position** — anticipated arguments and their evidence
- **Evidentiary considerations** — anticipated objections, authentication requirements, motions in limine

### 4. Witness Summary

For each anticipated witness:

- **Name / role** — relationship to case
- **Expected testimony** — key points
- **Prior statements** — deposition/declaration cites with page references
- **Credibility issues** — inconsistencies, impeachment material
- **Direct questions** — organized by topic, tied to legal theories
- **Cross-examination points** — for opposing witnesses

For expert witnesses, add: qualifications summary, opinions, methodology basis, Daubert/Frye vulnerability assessment.

### 5. Exhibit Inventory

Table with columns: exhibit #, description, relevance (issue/witness), pre-marked status, authentication status, stipulation status.

- Flag authenticity disputes
- Cross-reference each exhibit to its supporting issue and/or witness

### 6. Strategic Assessment

- **Strengths** — strongest facts, favorable authority, equitable factors
- **Vulnerabilities** — weaknesses with suggested responses
- **Opposing counsel's likely approach** — anticipated arguments and tactics
- **Decision-maker considerations** — known ruling patterns, equitable factors beyond legal merits
- **Recommended presentation strategy** — order of proof, thematic framing

### 7. Procedural Checklist

- [ ] Trial brief / proposed findings filed by deadline
- [ ] Exhibit list exchanged
- [ ] Witness list exchanged
- [ ] Exhibits pre-marked and organized
- [ ] Technology tested for evidence presentation
- [ ] Local rules and standing orders reviewed
- [ ] Copies prepared for court and opposing counsel

## Pitfalls

- **Uncited facts** — every factual assertion must cite its source document so counsel can locate materials instantly
- **Unverified citations** — format legal citations properly; mark uncertain ones `[VERIFY]`
- **Minimizing weaknesses** — maintain objectivity; present honest assessment of both sides
- **Missing gaps** — explicitly flag missing documents, unresolved discovery, or unavailable witnesses
- **Poor organization** — group all analysis, evidence, and authority by the discrete issue it addresses