Whether you plan to mediate or are headed for trial, you likely understand that you know too much about your case and could use a fresh perspective.

Our proprietary focus group process sets us apart from more traditional research methodologies in our industry. Our series of research sessions are the foundation for understanding what story jurors want to hear, not what lawyers want to tell them.

Our process will uncover juror perspectives about:

• Big-Picture Views (your case in one sentence)
• Most Effective Plaintiff/Defense Arguments (which work and don’t work)
• Specific Language (words that work)
• Questions That Will Need to be Answered

We’ll also perform a detailed demographic analysis of your trial venue to provide you the most representative jury sample in the industry.

Because we understand the fundamental rule of marketing is to keep it simple and that “it’s easier to convince someone of something they already believe,” we present facts to jurors and let them shape a credible, cohesive story.

After unveiling macro-level perspectives, we test both plaintiff and defense arguments using our Instant Response dial technology, which allows you to gauge individual juror responses to the issues surrounding your case. Discussions during every stage of these sessions allow you to understand the deeper nuances driving juror perspectives and tell you the specific words to use during trial.

Following the focus groups, we provide an analysis detailing juror perceptions – including overarching themes, the most (and least) effective arguments, and the specific words that will persuade your trial jurors. Our reports rank every argument in the case and tell you which are most effective, when they should be made, and how you should present them.

In the end, our report will help you apply the eight fundamentals critical to success:

• Apply the big concept
• Simplify the complex
• Keep stories consistent
• Play to predispositions
• Go on the offensive
• Arm your advocates
• Integrate juror language
• Identify the right juror

For a sample of a Jury Impact research report, contact us at 714.754.1010.

Quantitative surveys in your trial jurisdiction complement our qualitative focus group findings – especially when there is some community awareness of your case. With statistical reliability, these studies reveal the fundamental underlying attitudes shaping your trial jurors’ perspectives of your trial jurors. A deeper understanding of juror values allows you to tailor your arguments to resonate with what they already believe.

Once focus groups help us we understand the best messages through focus groups, it makes sense to test messengers.

Our mock trials allow lawyers to integrate focus group findings into their presentations, refining the issues revealed during the initial research. Each four-hour to multi-day session includes continuous juror feedback regarding attorney presentations using Instant Response dial technology, discussion-oriented breakout modules, and individual vote and argument assessment.

During our more than 10 years in the industry, we have worked with dozens of witnesses in a variety of industries. These are typically key witnesses with the power to make or break a case, who also provide opportunities to humanize a corporate defendant and present the best possible “face” of an organization.

Our witness preparation process is based on years of providing media and public speaking training to politicians, CEOs and other public figures. We have found that sessions interspersing message training with candid evaluations of videotaped mock testimony are the best way to improve witnesses’ presentation skills and credibility at trial.

Too often due to time or resource constraints, voir dire is based on stereotypes rather than thoughtful evaluation of how juror backgrounds relate to your unique case facts. We combine our analysis of the jurisdiction’s demographic and verdict data with real-time social media audits and our experience regarding questions that will elicit the most revealing information about a juror’s potential leanings, then advise clients about which jurors to eliminate during what is better described as the jury “de-selection” process.

When it comes to interpreting how day-by-day events are shaping trial jurors’ opinions, nothing can replace one of our experienced analysts in the courtroom. Trial monitoring includes daily reports, constant communication and consultations so the trial team can instantly modify strategy and language to better communicate with jurors.

Post-trial discussions with your jurors provide an objective, third-party perspective on the witnesses, arguments and language that resonated (or didn’t) during trial. Following in-depth interviews, our team delivers a comprehensive report detailing each side’s perceived strengths and weaknesses as well as attorney evaluations so that during future litigation, you will better understand how to maximize your chances for success.

A cost-effective approach for lower-exposure cases, our online research brings together online, quantitative-style research and interview-based, qualitative tactics. This blended style is a valuable tool for evaluating claims and developing successful themes and messages.

Specifically, our process:

1. Presents and tests juror perspectives on case facts, messages, themes, language and key audiovisuals, including video depositions;
2. Captures juror reactions utilizing discrete choice, intensity scale and open-ended questions, including verdicts and damages awards;
3. Provides real-time reporting of survey progress and results; and
4. Delivers a full report detailing findings, communication strategies and jury selection advice.