Trial Neutrals

Court-Appointed Neutrals may be assigned trial duties. Parties may agree to have their dispute heard by a master, either for final decision or for findings and recommendations subject to review by the court. Trial neutrals may also compile and interpret technical or complex evidence or voluminous data. Trade secret suits are one context in which the need for a trial neutral may arise. In patent suits, an experienced patent attorney may be asked to conduct a Markman hearing and prepare findings and recommendations on the subject of disputed claim terms.