W2629 – How to Handle Technology Failures in Court

Description: Technology plays a central role in today’s courtroom, but even well-prepared trial teams may experience unexpected failures. This session examines four common categories of courtroom technology breakdowns: notification disruptions, connectivity failures, display and equipment failures, and file compatibility challenges. It outlines practical strategies for addressing each scenario. Attendees will be introduced to the APART framework (Anticipate, Prepare, Acknowledge, Recover, Test), along with a pretrial technology checklist, backup considerations, and troubleshooting techniques to maintain professionalism when technology does not cooperate.

Disclaimer: NALA recognizes this course as non-substantive CLE. However, if your state requires technology CLE, we can adjust this course to reflect technology CLE upon request. Please contact us at elearning@nala.org to request an update for your CLE requirements.

Course Year: 2026

Instructor: Amy McGuigan

Amy Jo McGuigan, ACP, CEDS, CAS, is a senior paralegal at Swanson & McNamara LLP, a trial and appellate law firm. She is also an instructor in the Paralegal Studies Program at the University of California, Irvine, teaching the legal technology practicum.
Ms. McGuigan spent 15 years with the Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of California. She is a certified eDiscovery specialist with multiple ACEDS certifications and certifications in Cellebrite Mobile Forensic Fundamentals (CMFF) and digital forensics. She is the Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco Paralegal Section and Assistant Director of the San Francisco chapter of Women in eDiscovery.