Once inside: The ninth-floor courtroom where Mr. Manafort’s trial is being held is hard to miss: looming wooden doors, often with a stray bystander or reporter lurking outside. If the courtroom is full, there’s an overflow room a few floors down where you can watch and listen.

(When the courtroom doors open, respect the line. Don’t be that person who barrels into the courtroom in front of the 20 people who have been there since 6:30 a.m.)

Good seats are at a premium, especially on a day like Monday, when Rick Gates, the government’s star witness, was testifying. Together, you cram into the benches, elbow to elbow with complete strangers, who may shush you for rustling papers. Others may offer you a piece of candy in sympathy.

Sharon often sits closer to the front of the courtroom, with a good view of the screens where the prosecution projects document evidence for the jury (and the audience) to see.

Sometimes, we’ll sit next to her, the best way to softly confer in the courtroom and get a sense of what’s needed from us. Other times, we aim for the comfy chairs on either side of the door or the benches nearby — so we can make a speedy exit.

If you have to run: If there is breaking news — for example, a prosecutor’s remark that the government’s star witness may or may not testify — you must run. (But not within sight of the judge, who does not tolerate disruption, or the courtroom deputies, who have no problem ordering the disobedient out.)