PRE-TRIAL CONSULTING SERVICES

Focus Group Research Studies are designed to give attorneys and their clients a distinct advantage over their opponents.  These research exercises are uniquely designed to assess individual and group decision making on key case issues, specific themes, key witnesses and damages. 

*At Advanced Trial Sciences, your focus group research studies can also be conducted through the use of our secure online platform.  These online studies include live attorney presentations, key trial exhibits, live jury deliberations and real-time results.

Strategic Mock Trial Research gives counsel the ability to evaluate their entire case in front of a surrogate jury.  Jurors analyze all aspects of the case through written questionnaires and real-time dial testing, which provides counsel with jurors' immediate analysis and responses to case issues. 

The question of whether a case should settle and for how much, is often the most important aspect of any litigation.  Knowing what amount a jury might award is powerful information to have going into any settlement negotiation. This is the main reason our Settlement Analysis Study is one of our most popular research exercises.

Today's courtroom technology has made it more important than ever to prepare witnesses correctly prior to their deposition.  Video deposition testimony is almost guaranteed to be played, in some part, for jurors in a trial.  Our Witness Deposition Coaching involves working directly with witnesses to ensure their videotaped deposition testimony  is conducted in an effective manner. Our witness sessions are scientifically designed with a specific emphasis on how to handle videotaped testimony.  

Effective witness trial testimony can make or break a case.  Our Witness Communication Preparation involves conducting specific practice sessions that are scientifically designed to diminish any weaknesses a witness may have, as well as to highlight the strengths of a witness’ natural communication style through psychological techniques.  Most of our clients consider this service to be one of the most invaluable parts of their trial preparation.

The purpose of our Community Attitude Survey is to determine how the parties are perceived in a given trial venue.  In high-profile cases, it is important to know how potential jurors perceive your clients, your key witnesses and how the media coverage has impacted potential juror attitudes. 

A Mock Bench Study or Arbitration Study allows attorneys to preview a Judge or Arbitrator's thought process in rendering an award or decision.  This service gives counsel a unique opportunity to gain insight on what can be expected from a Judge or an Arbitrator in a specific matter.  

All jurors bring a wide variety of backgrounds, attitudes, experiences and expectations to the jury room, which may ultimately affect the deliberation process.  During Jury Selection, we use a wide variety of psychological techniques to analyze the characteristics of each juror.  We are present in the courtroom to assist you in arguing all cause challenges and to help you decide which jurors are best to eliminate using your peremptory challenges. This service is our most popular trial consulting service. 

Research has shown that prospective jurors are more likely to be honest and forthcoming on written questionnaires, than orally in open court.  Our juror questionnaire will ensure that all important juror information is asked in court, which will allow jurors with inflammatory biases to be identified early, and taken out of open court for a private voir dire. 

After jurors complete their written questionnaire, we'll evaluate each prospective juror to determine your most important peremptory challenges.  We will also assist you in your preparation for arguing cause and hardship challenges. 

Jurors will often answer questions based on their desire to either be on the jury, or their desire to be kept off the jury.  We are experts in creating specific questions and areas of inquiry that will elicit juror biases and/or prejudices, in order to best utilize your peremptory challenges.  

The benefits of Trial Monitoring by our expert consultants are innumerable.  Assessment of juror reactions, courtroom dynamics and on-the-spot strategic trial recommendations are provided to counsel daily. 

A Shadow Jury will observe all aspects of the trial proceedings. Their findings are provided to counsel, in the form of nightly reports, to give counsel real-time feedback on how their case is progressing and to give counsel recommendations to counter any potential vulnerabilities in the case.  

Post-Trial Interviews can be invaluable in understanding the specific case issues that influenced a jury's final verdict decision.  We will create a comprehensive interview protocol for the case and will contact each juror to discuss trial issues, case themes, witnesses, exhibits and key evidence.