Why Sound Jury?

Strategy & Theme Development

The overarching goal of this session is to provide the client with a simple and persuasive framework for the case. Sound Jury Consulting works with the client to develop the story of the case and identify the practical steps the attorneys need to take throughout the course of the litigation to bring the case to a successful resolution. Sound Jury Consulting will make specific, tangible recommendations for the implementation of this strategy.

Specifically, Sound Jury Consulting reviews key case documents, jury research in the case-type, and any other relevant information and meets with clients for a case strategy session that covers:

• Evaluation of case strengths and weaknesses
• Application of relevant, prior jury research findings
• Theme development
• Strategic language development
• Development of case framework
• Identification of key case facts that effectively focus the trier of fact
• Key witness evaluation
• Opportunities for visual persuasion in the case presentation

The analysis and recommendations from the meeting will be developed and provided to client in the days following the meeting. This report serves as a roadmap for the trial team’s presentation throughout the litigation lifecycle including trial (opening statement, direct examination of friendly witnesses, cross examination of adverse witnesses, and closing argument).

Jury Selection

Sound Jury Consulting works with clients to manage the jury selection process. There are multiple stages of the process, any or all of which Sound Jury Consulting can assist with. Sound Jury Consulting begins by developing an adverse juror profile that focuses on “de-selection.” This profile identifies the attitudes, experiences, and demographics that increase the risk of the prospective juror adopting an adverse leaning towards the client. The profile is then used as a springboard for the development of voir dire questions and/or a supplemental juror questionnaire that elicits critical information from jurors about their case-specific attitudes and experiences. Finally, Sound Jury Consulting attends court during jury selection and assists the client with information management during voir dire and how to best use the peremptory strikes to achieve a fair or favorable jury.

Witness Deposition Preparation Session

Sound Jury Consulting meets with attorneys and the witness for a deposition practice session. Sound Jury Consulting educates the witness about key presentation factors, common pitfalls, and arms the witness with tools to navigate deposition hurdles and effectively tell the truth.

Witness Trial Testimony Preparation Session

Sound Jury Consulting meets with attorneys and the witness for a trial testimony preparation session. Sound Jury Consulting educates the witness about how juries commonly perceive verbal and nonverbal behavior on the witness stand and arms the witness with the tools to provide quality testimony, buttressed by a strong verbal and nonverbal presentation.

Witness Arbitration Preparation Session

Sound Jury Consulting meets with attorneys and the witness for an arbitration testimony preparation session. Sound Jury Consulting educates the witness about the impact of verbal and nonverbal behavior on credibility assessments made by arbitrators and arms the witness with the tools to provide quality testimony, buttressed by a strong verbal and nonverbal presentation.

Witness Evaluation Research

Sound Jury Consulting recruits jury-eligible participants within the litigation venue to watch video of a witness’s testimony and provide detailed quantitative and qualitative feedback. Sound Jury Consuliting reports mock juror feedback and provides recommendations for improving the quality of the witness’s testimony.

Mock Jury Trials

Sound Jury Consulting recruits jury-eligible participants from the litigation venue to watch streamlined presentations of each side’s case. Mock jurors are provided key jury instructions, verdict form questions, and exhibits and asked to deliberate to a verdict in the case. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected through various questionnaires, deliberation analysis, and focus group interviews.  The findings are compiled in a report along with Sound Jury Consulting recommendations for trial.

Focus Groups

Sound Jury Consulting recruits jury-eligible participants from the litigation venue to provide feedback on key issues, evidence, and/or witnesses in the case. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected through various questionnaires and focus group interviews.  The findings are compiled in a report along with Sound Jury Consulting recommendations for strategy development.

Early Discovery Focus Groups

Sound Jury Consulting recruits jury-eligible participants from the litigation venue to provide feeback on key issues in the case and potential litigation themes. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected through various questionnaires and focus group interviews. The findings are compiled in a report along with Sound Jury Consulting recommendations for discovery efforts.

Mock Bench Trials

Sound Jury Consulting recruits mock judges, typically former judges, to review pleadings and watch streamlined presentations of each side’s case. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected through judge interviews. Findings are compiled in a report along with Sound Jury Consulting recommendations for trial.

Mock Arbitrations

Sound Jury Consulting recruits mock arbitrators to review arbitration briefing and watch streamlined presentations of each side’s case. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected through arbitrator interviews. Findings are compiled in a report along with Sound Jury Consulting recommendations for arbitration.

Community Attitude Surveys

Sound Jury Consulting conducts phone survey research for jury pool assessments, survey-based case feedback, or change of venue motions. Sound Jury Consulting can provide expert testimony in conjunction with change of venue studies.

Shadow Juries

Sound Jury Consulting recruits jury-eligible participants to watch the trial live and provide daily feedback through evening phone interviews. Sound Jury Consulting processes the shadow jurors’ feedback and offers simple, but effective daily recommendations for improving the case presentation over the course of the trial.

Post-Trial Juror Interviews

Sound Jury Consulting conducts telephone interviews with the actual jurors who decided your case to determine how and why they decided the case the way they did. This research is extremely beneficial when the client is facing multiple, similar cases.

Continuing Legal Education

Sound Jury Consulting regularly provides continuing legal education and training courses throughout the country to bar associations, law firms, in-house attorneys, and other organizations on a wide range of important topics. Each presentation is engaging, informative, and memorable as they focus on practical tips and tools that attorneys can immediately apply to their cases. Most presentations include video clips from mock jury deliberations and other materials to highlight key points.

Explore our CLEs here.

Opening Statement Writing and Editing

Sound Jury Consulting provides assistance with attorneys’ opening statements in a variety of ways, ranging from the initial writing and drafting of the opening statement to minor edits and feedback further along in the process. SJC provides attorneys with strategic guidance for the writing and delivery of a persuasive and memorable opening statement. This is an iterative process with the exchanging of drafts until the finished work is completed.

The process is most effective when attorneys and the consultant meet at the outset to discuss the case framework, themes, and language that are most likely to lead jurors to fill out the verdict form in the desired manner.

Opening Statement Graphics and/or Visual Presentation

As part of the writing/editing of the opening statement, Sound Jury Consulting creates an accompanying visual element. Typically, this is a combination of PowerPoint slides, pre-made display boards, and flip chart notes. SJC can create the entire opening visual presentation or supply a few key graphics. This service provides the critical and necessary visual component that aids juror attention, focus, understanding, and retention.

Opening Statement Practice

The presenting attorney meets with Sound Jury Consulting for a rehearsal of the opening statement. SJC provides feedback on both the verbal and nonverbal elements that increase the attorney’s credibility with the jury and/or judge. The session is video recorded to provide visual feedback, as well.

Opening Statement Research

Sound Jury Consulting recruits mock jurors from the venue to provide feedback on the attorney’s opening statement. The specific method varies according to the case complexity and side (plaintiff vs. defendant). This research provides invaluable insights into how jurors process and retain this most critical element of trial. SJC provides specific recommendations for content and delivery modifications.

Closing Argument Writing and Editing

Sound Jury Consulting provides attorneys with strategic guidance on the writing and delivery of a closing argument that summarizes and simplifies the days or weeks of trial in a persuasive and memorable manner. SJC understands the time pressures that are typically faced when constructing one’s closing argument; therefore, feedback is focused, clear, and easy to implement.

The process is most effective when SJC has access to daily transcripts and/or summaries of trial from which they keep track of key testimony and evidence that are most conducive to a positive outcome. From this material, a closing is drafted as trial progresses allowing for an efficient and effective process. This significantly reduces the need to cram the writing and practicing of a closing argument into the hours before it is to be given

Closing Argument Practice

When time permits, the presenting attorney meets with Sound Jury Consulting for a rehearsal of the closing argument. SJC provides feedback designed to meet the unique challenges of a closing argument – the need to simplify and focus jurors’ attention on the facts that matter, but also teach jurors how to deliberate in a manner that leads to a favorable outcome.

Graphics

SJC can assist you with your graphic needs in a variety of different ways: 1. Custom Individual Graphics created from scratch to fit your case specific needs; 2. Custom PowerPoint Slideshows created for opening, witness presentations, and/or closing; 3. Making your in-house PowerPoint or graphics trial-ready.

Explore our Graphics Department here.