Living Without Feedback
Trial Advocacy in the Modern World
Closing Argument: Opportunity and Challenge
Direct Examination: Looping and Bookending
Innovative Jury Strategies and the Power of Preparation — FCRA Focus Podcast
Opening Statements: Telling the Story
Openings of Openings
The Basics of Opening Statements
Effective Trial Language Part 3: Jargon
Podcast - Effective Trial Language Part 2: Legalese
Why Demonstrative Aids Are Critical in Every Case
Showing Exhibits to the Jury
Key Lessons and Takeaways for Jury Trials
Overcoming Safetyism & the Plaintiff Media Machine - IMS Insights Podcast Epsiode 66
Podcast - Basic Courtroom Etiquette
Podcast - The Five Most Common Faults of Trial Lawyers
Podcast - The “Five P’s” That Will Help Shape Jurors’ Emotions
The Strategic Advantages of Working with Jury Consultants – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 56
Uncovering Juror Bias, Counteracting Nuclear Verdicts, & the Future of Massive Damages – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 47
Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have taken the world by storm, with many industry leaders and technology optimists eagerly anticipating its integration into processes and solutions across nearly every...more
When I received my jury summons a month or so ago, I was elated. But the feeling was brief, as I quickly concluded my service would likely end as quickly as it would begin. I’m a Litigation Consultant, I work for a law firm,...more
With the 2024 election now in the rearview mirror, many Americans are still processing the results. The Presidential contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris was widely seen as close by both pollster and pundit, and...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explores the importance of feedback for trial lawyers and the challenges they face in obtaining it. Mr. Small explains that trial...more
As I write this, it is finally and mercifully Election Day, 2024. For many of us on the edges of our seats awaiting the returns, we might be considering the question, “What brought us to this?” The answer is that recent...more
I know, I know, there’s a very good chance that every election in your lifetime has been billed as the “most important election in your lifetime.” But when it comes to next week’s election, that hyperbole just might be...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explores three pivotal trends that have significantly impacted courtroom advocacy in recent years: the digital revolution,...more
As your juror hears testimony from a banking executive, is she thinking that banks are secretly controlling society? As another juror hears from a medical expert, is he thinking that experts like that are the ones who caused...more
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: With fewer than 30 days to go until one of the most pivotal elections in our history, do you believe the polls? Many would say “No.” Even when our favored candidate is ahead, we all seem to believe...more
The right to a trial by jury in Ohio is one of the most fundamental rights in our judicial system. In civil cases, the Ohio Constitution requires concurrence of no less than three-fourths of the jury. Ohio Const., art. I...more
This is the conclusion to a two part article. Please read Part One first. There must be legal recourse to stop this kind of fraud and so protect our basic freedoms. People must have good cause to believe in our judicial...more
On September 5, 2024, the Supreme Court of Ohio issued a ruling addressing the application of the same-juror rule in negligence cases in Hild v. Samaritan Health Partners, deciding whether the defendant-hospital was negligent...more
Mediation is often guided by predictions made by each side, as well as by the mediator: if this case went to trial and faced a jury, what would that jury likely do with it? Naturally, each of these three actors will have a...more
On April 19, 2024, the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules for federal courts faced a critical question: Does AI-generated evidence, including deepfakes, demand new rules? The Committee’s surprising answer—’not yet.’ Was...more
As a presentation technology consultant, I have been sitting in the hot seat for almost 25 years. I average one trial a month with about 75% being medical malpractice (med mal) cases. I work with both plaintiff and defense...more
Cross-examination is a big deal for a key witness. I’ve noticed in trial that it gets some added attentiveness from the jury. Knowing that they’re now seeing one side pitted directly against the other, jurors will sit forward...more
First impressions are crucial—especially when you’re delivering an opening statement to a court of law, establishing and framing the crux of a case for judges and jurors when a trial begins. Clarity, conciseness, resonance,...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small shares insights and strategies for delivering a compelling closing argument in this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series. He explains the challenges of delivering a closing...more
In today’s legal landscape, the defense industry faces the unprecedented challenge of Nuclear Verdicts®. They pose a financial threat to businesses and individuals alike. It is vital for defense attorneys to embrace a...more
Case preparation can take months of research, depositions, and strategic planning—all for that one high-pressure moment in court. Even learning how to write a good opening statement can take a considerable amount of time and...more
Sometimes in civil cases, the plaintiff’s liability claim is opportunistic, wishful, or factually weak. Other times, it is real. Someone didn’t do their job, a danger was missed, or — in that Olympic champion of passive-voice...more
I have long believed that persuaders of all stripes, including courtroom persuaders, can learn a lot of lessons from political communication. The dialogue over the leadership and direction of the country can be a gold mine:...more
Movies and television shows often inaccurately depict the courtroom. We usually attribute it to “entertainment.” But what if parts of what they show are accurate? What if the outlandish and unpredictable results depicted can...more
Judges and juries are doing what they can to punish bad actors across industries, in spite of legislative efforts to limit the same. OHIO’S EFFORTS TO LIMIT NUCLEAR VERDICTS In 2005, the Ohio General Assembly enacted...more
In addition to making their views known at the ballot box, citizens can similarly broadcast their sentiments in the civil jury box. While they’re asked to merely make a factual finding limited to a specific dispute, the...more