Remote hearings and video depositions are here to stay. Your argument, testimony or expert opinion deserves the same clarity on camera as it would at the lectern. A height‑adjustable standing desk helps you deliver steady eye contact, clear audio and quick access to documents—if you set it up with intention. This practical, nonlegal guide covers camera and mic placement, screen layout, lighting, privacy and a sit‑stand routine that supports long sessions.

Start with geometry you can trust

Eye contact and posture set the tone in the first seconds of a hearing. Lock those in before you open your case file.

• Eye line: Mount the camera just above eye level and angle it slightly down. Do not raise your desk to fix framing; raise the camera and keep the working surface at elbow height for neutral wrists.

• Distance: Keep the primary display about an arm’s length away. If you lean in to read, increase app/OS zoom by 10–15 percent rather than pushing the desk higher.

• Centering: Place the primary screen dead ahead, keyboard centered on your torso, and the mouse inside your shoulder line. If you use a second display, angle it inward 15–30 degrees so you glance with your eyes, not twist your neck.

Task‑based presets for hearing days

Save four memory buttons on your height‑adjustable standing desk so changes are one tap, not a scramble.

• Statement (slightly higher): One notch above general standing height opens the chest for steadier breath and a clear voice at the mic and camera.

• Examine (stand): General standing height for questioning and screen‑share walk‑throughs; soft knees on the mat; shoulders relaxed.

• Review (sit): Seated height for precise note‑taking and document markup during breaks or sidebar moments.

• Type (slightly lower): A hair below standard height for long drafting or exhibit labeling with neutral wrists.

Make the camera and mic work for you

Your voice and eyes carry your message. Treat the mic and camera like parts of your suit.

• Mic choice and placement: A cardioid dynamic microphone on a boom isolates speech better than a bright condenser in normal rooms. Keep the capsule 6–10 inches from your mouth, slightly off‑axis to reduce breath pops. Add a shock mount so desk taps do not travel into the recording.

• Headsets: If you prefer a headset, choose a light, closed‑back model with a boom you can position a finger’s width from the corner of your mouth. Keep monitoring volume modest; loud monitoring leads to shouting.

• Camera stability: Mount on a small arm above the monitor. Route the cable through the monitor arm channel, then into a sleeve before it drops to the under‑desk tray. This prevents cable tugs when you switch presets.

Lighting that flatters and reduces fatigue

Glare forces you to squint and lean forward. Soft, predictable light protects both credibility and comfort.

• Orientation: Place the desk perpendicular to windows; use sheer shades to diffuse midday sun.

• Key and fill: Two soft lights at 30–45 degrees, slightly above eye line, produce even illumination without glasses glare. Keep brightness modest; you are not lighting a set.

• Bias light: A subtle backlight behind the monitor softens contrast in evening sessions so you do not creep toward the screen.

• Screen brightness: Match display brightness to room light. Overly bright screens prompt a forward head posture by midafternoon.

Screen layout for exhibits and notes

Split your attention without splitting your posture.

• Primary screen: Video platform window centered at eye line. Keep your own preview near the camera to reinforce eye contact.

• Secondary screen: Exhibits, outlines and notes angled inward. Use a window management preset so exhibits always open in the same region; surprises cause head turns.

• Reader tools: Increase PDF zoom and enable page thumbnails for fast jumps. Use a high‑contrast cursor and caret so you do not hunt for your place under pressure.

Privacy and professionalism in shared spaces

Treat documents and screens as if someone is always watching.

• Privacy filter: Apply a magnetic filter to the primary display in shared or glass‑walled rooms. It narrows viewing angles while preserving clarity for you.

• Screen lock: Lock your machine whenever you step away, even for a moment. Post a small card near the monitor with the platform shortcut (for example, Win+L or Ctrl+Cmd+Q).

• Background: Keep the background neutral and uncluttered. Remove identifying client materials from camera view. A small plant and a neutral print read professional without distraction.

Power, network and cable safety you can forget about

When technology disappears, you can focus on substance.

• One‑cord power: Mount a surge‑protected strip and your dock/interface in a metal cable tray under the desk. Route a single mains cable down an inside leg raceway to the wall. No diagonal floor cords.

• Ethernet wins: If possible, run a stranded Cat6/Cat6a patch through a leg raceway into the tray and into your dock. Wired uplinks lower jitter and reduce “Can you repeat that?” moments.

• Service loops: Create a gentle U‑shaped slack loop above the tray for every moving cable—display power/video, Ethernet, mic, camera, lamp, USB‑C to the laptop. Each loop must reach full standing height with an inch or two to spare. Test full up/down before the hearing.

A calm routine for long appearances

Structure the session around short, predictable posture changes.

• Prehearing (5 minutes): Tap Statement; confirm camera framing and audio levels (peaks around –12 dBFS). Start bias light and soft key/fill; close unrelated apps; lock notifications.

• During testimony or argument: Stand at Statement or Examine; keep shoulders down and chin neutral; glance to the secondary screen only with your eyes. When others speak, you may drop to Review for note‑taking without changing camera angle.

• Breaks: Sit at Review; log notes; hydrate; do two shoulder rolls and 10 calf raises on the mat. If you anticipate standing again soon, leave lights as they are to maintain consistency.

• After session: Tap Review to finalize notes; then Sit, lock the keypad, tuck the mat and dim key lights.

Troubleshooting common gremlins

• “Glare on my glasses.” Raise the key lights higher and angle them farther to the side; lower brightness; tilt frames slightly; keep the monitor brightness moderate and use a bias light to stabilize contrast.

• “My voice sounds boomy.” Move the mic closer off‑axis and reduce gain slightly. Add a desk pad and lighten keystrokes; check that the boom clamp is near the desk’s centerline and that the shock mount is engaged.

• “I keep leaning forward to read.” Increase zoom 10–15 percent; bring the monitor closer on the arm; avoid raising desk height to chase text size.

• “Cables snag when I stand.” Add length to the service loop above the tray; route through arm channels first; label both ends so you can fix issues in seconds.

• “Screen wobbles at full height.” Retighten frame bolts and arm joints, bring the monitor closer to the columns and lower the panel by 0.5 inch to reduce leverage. Ensure all feet contact the floor; use firm pads on carpet.

A quick courtroom‑ready checklist

• Camera just above eye level, angled slightly down; preview near camera on screen.

• Cardioid dynamic mic 6–10 inches off‑axis on a shock‑mounted boom; peaks ~–12 dBFS.

• Dual‑screen layout: video centered; exhibits/notes angled inward; consistent window positions.

• Lighting: soft key and fill at 30–45 degrees; bias light behind monitor; desk perpendicular to windows.

• Four presets saved: Statement (higher), Examine (stand), Review (sit), Type (lower).

• Under‑desk tray with surge strip and dock/interface; one mains cable down a leg raceway; gentle U‑shaped service loops; Ethernet through a leg raceway if available.

• Privacy filter (as needed); screen‑lock habit; neutral, uncluttered background.

Why this works

Credibility on camera comes from clarity, steadiness and control. When your standing desk holds elbow height steady, the camera meets your eye line, the mic rejects room noise and cables move silently, you stop thinking about the setup and focus on your case. Short, predictable posture changes keep your voice and attention fresh through long sessions. That combination—ergonomics plus repeatability—makes remote proceedings feel more like the real room.

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