By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: With the news world still abuzz with implications of former President Trump’s 34 felony convictions and impending sentencing in New York, we are left to wonder about the effectiveness of defense attorney Todd Blanche’s closing argument focused on “ten reasons for reasonable doubt.” Some of those reasons had undeniable merit, like […]
In the high-stakes world of trial presentations, hiring the right trial technician or hot seater can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. These are not usually your Litigation Graphics experts (see Why Trial Tech ≠ Litigation Graphics). Before making this crucial decision, it's important to have 15 key conversations with potential candidates to ensure they have the skills, experience, and demeanor necessary to support your legal team effectively. From discussing their technical expertise and familiarity with courtroom procedures to assessing their ability to handle high-pressure situations and work collaboratively with your attorneys, these conversations are essential
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce the release of Persuadius's latest free litigation e-book, The Opening Statement Toolkit v2. Version 1 (2015) was our most popular ebook of all time, with many litigators telling me, "This is essential reading." You may now download this new book without strings attached by clicking here. In this 271-page book, you will find 80 articles curated from Persuadius's massive collection of posts related to litigation and persuasion. Each article relates to opening statements in some way. From organizing the opening to the use of storytelling techniques to persuade, the book contains an amazing array of tips
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: How many times have you heard that a jury — especially a jury that is deliberating about damages in a civil case — is about as predictable as the lottery? The broad perception is that as jurors arrive at figures in the deliberation room, they’re essentially throwing darts at a dart-board. […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Michael Cohen, the “Fixer” for Donald Trump, has recently gotten off the stand in the former President’s “hush money” trial. Those taking aim at Cohen’s testimony have pointed out frequent use of “I don’t recall” on many of the details. That, of course, is a common response for many witnesses, and […]
When presenting your case in court, demonstrative evidence (interchangeably referred to as litigation graphics or trial graphics) can be a powerful tool to help convey complex information to a judge or jury. Demonstrative evidence includes visual aids, physical objects, and multimedia presentations that help illustrate key points in a case. Here are 11 timely tips for effectively using demonstrative evidence in trial:1. Keep it simple: Remember that less is often more when creating demonstrative evidence. Keep your visuals clear and concise, focusing on all key points of your case. Avoid cluttering your presentation with unnecessary details that could confuse or
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you may have let some amazing posts slip under your radar. With over 12 years of blog posts and an impressive 850 entries, it’s easy to miss a few hidden gems. That’s why we’ve compiled this curated list of captivating blog posts that deserve recognition. In this collection, we’ve handpicked some lesser-known blog posts that cover a wide range of topics. Whether you’re interested in technology, being a better trial lawyer, persuasion, or jury consulting, we have something for everyone. These posts may have been published in the past, but their
So much discussion has been had about the state of juries these days due to the rising trend in nuclear verdicts. Jurors’ declining trust, changing value of money, desire to change the world with their verdict, and the growing millennial/Gen Z make-up are just a few of the common gripes we hear from defense attorneys. Of course, there is truth in each of these, but the complaint we hardly ever hear is how the defense attorney made mistakes at trial that contributed to the outcome. In this business, it is extremely difficult to acknowledge or admit mistakes. Clients only want
May 14, 2024, New York, NY—DOAR, the nation’s leading trial consulting company, today released important findings from a new national study that examines several issues suspected of influencing jurors’ baseline attitudes toward pharmaceutical companies. The findings indicate that opinions of the pharmaceutical industry are generally favorable despite a prevailing view of it as profit-centric. The study also concludes that recent trends in certain types of drugs and vaccines have a meaningful impact on views of the industry. The study, conducted by the DOAR Research Center, sought to reflect a broad spectrum of community attitudes across the United States. It was
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Yesterday, I spent the full day as a prospective juror at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver. As you can tell from the fact that I’m writing about it, I did not get selected for the jury. Alas, I was just one of the many “gallery ghosts” watching as others were questioned, […]