Cross-Examination: How to Effectively Impeach with a Prior Inconsistent Statement
Cross-Examination: Finding Control
Podcast - Direct Examination: Getting Rid of Clutter
Podcast - The Differences Between Persuasion and Argument
Witness Testimony Themes, Cross Examination, & Preparation Consultants – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 55
What Litigants Need to Know about Summary Judgment
What to Do When an Employee Receives a Subpoena
Proof in Trial | A Hogan Lovells podcast series
Podcast: What Witness Preparation Means
Podcast: Raise Your Right Hand, Miss Lillian
IP|Trend: Inter Partes Review: Is it Litigation or Something Else?
As a trial attorney, you’ll often enlist expert witnesses to evaluate claims, clarify complex evidence, write an expert witness report, and offer authoritative opinions. Because time and money can be tight during trial prep,...more
What is a Nuclear Verdict®? We have all heard news of juries awarding incomprehensible piles of money in lawsuits where the injuries and the verdict just don’t seem to add up. These cases may leave you scratching your head...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains how to impeach a witness' credibility through prior inconsistent statements. He emphasizes the importance of carefully...more
In April 2024, Robins Kaplan attorneys secured a groundbreaking $7.75 million verdict against CRC Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of aerosol dusters. The verdict stemmed from a tragic 2019 incident when Cynthia McDougall was...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains the importance of maintaining control during cross-examination. He emphasizes the need for careful preparation, clear...more
The criminal trial of former President Trump in New York state court reminds experienced practitioners of some of the big issues that white-collar defense attorneys wrestle with as a trial comes to an end. The jury and the...more
We carry not only Netflix and YouTube in our pockets but also the video cameras that make content creation possible. Our neighbors are TikTok influencers with a million subscribers. Our kids are YouTube sensations, streaming...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small highlights the impact of verbal clutter in legal proceedings. He stresses the importance of asking concise, clear questions,...more
As any seasoned trial attorney will tell you, one of the key events during a jury trial is the reading of the jury instructions to the jury. During the reading of the instructions, for a lengthy amount of time, the jury hears...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the differences between persuasion and argument that every trial lawyer should know. In the episode, Mr. Small...more
Humor is a funny thing. Ubiquitous, yet specific to each person. Capable of traversing borders and cultures and languages, yet highly dependent on context. Anyone can be humorous, but at some point, everyone will try and...more
Question: How did the jury arrive at the decision to award the plaintiff $20 million in damages? Actual Juror #1: We came up with a percentage approach, and that’s what we all discussed. We started with what she was asking...more
Fridays loom large in every courtroom. For a trial lawyer, they are a chance to reassess the case’s progression, end a strong week of witnesses on a flourish, or implicitly press jurors for a quick verdict. And of course, the...more
While views may vary, we believe firmly that witness preparation should involve asking witnesses the tough questions, for several reasons: First, we would argue it is better to pose a tough or uncomfortable question up...more
On March 30, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court approved a new rule of civil procedure that addresses jury requests to review testimony. New rule 1.453 sets forth the procedures for trial courts to follow when a juror in a civil...more
The role of the trial technician—sometimes referred to as a courtroom technology specialist, trial consultant, or hot seat operator—is to quickly find and display documents and video, thus enabling seamless presentation by...more
IMS Strategy Consultant Dr. Clint Townson discusses the benefits of early case theme development and the factors leading jurors to award massive damages....more
IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera explains why themes are important for testimony, how to prep witnesses for cross, and what attorneys can gain from working with consultants. Listen, watch, and/or read...more
Witnesses, I’d like to have a word. You know the most important audience for your testimony — the jurors in the courtroom with you, or the future jury who might someday see a clip of your deposition? That audience is kind of...more
When thinking about the title for this post, I came awfully close to saying that certainty “matters more” than accuracy, but I thought that perhaps it might sound too cynical. But that stronger version is supported by the...more
Here’s an intuitive belief that many who work in the field of law might adhere to: More information leads to better decisions. Those who work in the social sciences, however, know that this does not always hold true. Based on...more
Arriving for the preparation meeting, the witness notices that there’s someone new in the room: a communications consultant. A non-lawyer visiting from out-of-town, the consultant is introduced by the lawyer as a specialist...more
Subscribe and listen to Proof in Trial here: https://smarturl.it/proofintrial A wrongful conviction that led to a death row sentence; a politician fighting to save his reputation; a tech company whose trade secrets were...more
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend every day of a civil trial, and then interview all of the jurors at the end of their service. I planned out a very comprehensive interview for each of them, including running...more
In the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judge Alan Albright’s closely watched patent trial is underway...more