PRETRIAL RESEARCH SERVICES

FOCUS GROUPS are presentations before small groups of demographically appropriate panelists, which can be used in two ways. First, there can be two or more groups in one location on the same day, focusing on narrow trial issues, such as witness credibility, opening statement, value of the case, etc. Or, focus groups can be used to do a large-scale study to determine jury profiles, race/age/gender-related biases, or strengths and weaknesses of larger trial themes.

CONCEPT CONFERENCES are one of our more untraditional services. These modified focus groups are for those attorneys who are more interested in developing the themes, metaphors, story structure, and design of demonstrative evidence, etc., very early in the trial process. The small panels are made up of hand-picked respondents who are best equipped to deal with each of the issues in the case at hand. The results of these inexpensive, streamlined deliberations have been fantastic.

TRIAL SIMULATIONS are longer, more formal, mini-replicas of an actual trial, with both sides presented in a balanced way... from voir dire, to opening statements, presentation of witnesses, graphic material and other evidence to closings and deliberations. They are conducted to achieve a variety of objectives:

• identify the potential jury issues, cultural biases, theories and weaknesses in the case;
• identify types of personality that would be most sympathetic to your client and your case through well-crafted voir dire questions;
• test the effect the lawyer(s) and key witnesses have on panelists;
• coach the lawyer(s) on creating relationships with panel members;
• prepare key witnesses for their trial testimony.