When most people use the term “war room,” they might conjure up images of camouflaged men and the thud-thud-thud of helicopter blades. But in reality, a properly planned litigation war room can become a respite from the day-to-day grind of trial — a place where, in addition to everything else, you can brainstorm new ideas and strategies with your fellow trial attorneys.

A properly planned war room can be a sanctuary, where you can run and make extra copies, grab a backup CD because yours does not work or fax an important document to your expert witness. Although trial is analogous to war, your war room doesn’t have to be warlike.