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Is fear of science costing your firm? - part 1
After spending thirty years working with trial teams, the same types of questions seem to continually surface: “How much will a jury award?”  “Will this theme be persuasive?”  “What kinds of jurors will be most receptive to my case?”  Scrutiny of the underlying factual issues underlying these ques...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 340 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #61 - Preparing witnesses
Brad Hughes, trial lawyer with Clark Hill in Los Angeles, joins the podcast to talk about the differences in how he approaches a catastrophic injury case in his transportation litigation work versus a corporate matter. Dr. Bill Kanasky and Brad discuss the increasing presence of Reptile in commer...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— March 2021 — 461 views Anti-reptile Depositions Litigation psychology Reptile Trucking & transportation Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #60 - Managing trucking litigation
Trucking defense attorney Sophia Bernard of Lewis Brisbois in Tampa joins the podcast to talk about transportation and trucking litigation and her process on handling catastrophic cases. She discusses the difficulties of dealing with the emotion of the driver and the importance of recognizing and ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— March 2021 — 559 views Litigation psychology Reptile Trucking & transportation Witness training


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 3
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the concept of alternative formats for Exploratory Research and detailed the specifics of a traditional Focus Group. In part 2 , we described two alternate Focus Group designs: Graphics Research and Juror Profile Research. In this final section, we explain...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 338 views Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #59 - Best practices for large cases
Trial attorneys and partners Thomas Segars & James Weiss from Ellis | Winters join the podcast to talk with Dr. Bill Kanasky about high exposure litigation and their process to approach these cases. Tom and Jamie share the importance of getting started early and the work they do on thinking about ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— March 2021 — 498 views Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Witness training


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the concept of alternative formats for Exploratory Research or “different types of Focus Groups” and detailed the specifics of a traditional Focus Group. In part 2, we describe two alternate Focus Group designs: Graphics Research and Juror Profile Research....
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 347 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Scientific evaluation of juror damage awards post-COVID
Few individuals would argue that COVID-19’s aftermath has left potential jurors in a heightened state of emotion. Our own research at Courtroom Sciences, Inc. has confirmed these assumptions as well.   This becomes problematic when considering that jurors in a heightened state of emotion have les...
Steve Wood, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 440 views COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Trial consulting


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 1
Pre-trial or “jury research” is sometimes bifurcated into two categories , the first being Exploratory Research – projects designed to initially “see what’s out there,” investigate the substantive terrain of a case, and find out “what sticks” thematically in terms of case arguments, issues, and e...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 343 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #57 - Storytelling in litigation
Trial attorney Brent A. Turman from Dallas firm Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP joins the podcast to discuss the value and impact of storytelling in litigation. Brent has a fascinating background that has helped him develop his storytelling skills, which he applies to cases he works on. Brent worked o...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 497 views Jurors Planning Presentations


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #56 - Trucking & Covid-19
This episode of The Litigation Psychology Podcast focuses on how the trucking and transportation industry responded to the pandemic and the impressions, attitudes, and beliefs that jurors have toward transportation and trucking companies. Dr. Steve Wood discusses research that CSI has conducted ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 494 views COVID-19 Jurors Litigation psychology Research Trucking & transportation Witness training


How jurors evaluate cases and determine liability - part 2
In None part 1 of this article , we established the process and decision-making approach that jurors utilize in determining witness credibility and liability, including their evaluation of communications. In part 2, we take a deeper dive into the communications aspect. * * * * * The real “tells...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 447 views Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #55 - Managing witness mental health
Trucking defense attorney Mike Bassett joins the podcast to discuss the steps that he takes before he begins working with a witness: establishing trust, understanding their backstory, addressing their concerns and questions and establishing their state of mind. Without the proper pre-preparation, ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 515 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


How jurors evaluate cases and determine liability - part 1
At trial during the plaintiff’s case for In re  Burlington Northern Inc., 822 F.2d 518 (5 th Cir. 1987), lead defense counsel was viewing videotaped deposition testimony for the first time from one of the key witnesses, a CEO, and founder of one of the defendant companies.  “I nearly fell out of m...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— January 2021 — 545 views Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #54 - Mental health in litigation
Trucking defense attorney Mark Perkins shares his personal experience with mental health and how he handles and addresses it. Mark and Bill Kanasky, Ph.D. talk about the ways the legal industry has, and has not, addressed mental health issues. They also discuss how the personal struggles that witn...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 659 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #53 - Mental health & trucking litigation
Our focus on mental health issues in litigation continues with trucking attorney Larry Hall, Shareholder with Sandberg Phoenix law firm in St. Louis, MO. Larry is the head of the transportation group and has extensive experience in trucking litigation. Larry and Dr. Bill Kanasky discuss the histor...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 614 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


Litigation trends in 2021 - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we covered litigation trends and developments including an increase in settlements, changing juror perceptions, the fragile state of witnesses, and considerations, risks, and opportunities around essential workers. In the final part of this topic, we dive into nuclear ve...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 611 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Crisis Enterprise risk management Jury consulting Litigation psychology Nuclear verdicts Reptile Trial consulting Witness training


Defense strategy during the pandemic
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 37% of Americans experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression during mid-December 2020 ( U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020 ). Defense attorneys returning to the courthouse for trials in coming months will face a jury venire composed of many people ...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & Lorie Sicafuse, Ph.D.
— January 2021 — 605 views COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Research Trial consulting


Litigation trends in 2021 - part 1
If 2020 taught us anything, it is that making predictions about the future is foolhardy. Though the unexpected is likely to be woven into every aspect of our lives and businesses, there often are trends and developments that are worth being aware of and prepared for. Considering that approach, th...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 710 views COVID-19 Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mental health Mock trials Research Trial consulting Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #51 - Attorney demeanor
In this week’s podcast, trial attorneys Paul Motz, Shareholder, Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney and Matt Moffett, Partner, Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske, LLP, join CSI Litigation Consultants Dr. Steve Wood and Dr. Bill Kanasky to discuss the topic of attorney credibility and attorney...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 734 views Anti-reptile Confirmatory research Depositions Exploratory research Focus groups Insurance defense Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Reptile Research Trial consulting Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #50 - Best practices for video depositions
Video has become common for depositions, mediations, and witness trainings during these days of physical distancing. But appearing on video for these virtual sessions isn't the same as being in person and requires a specific approach and attention to detail to different things. Jackie Arguijo, Vid...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— December 2020 — 653 views Depositions Presentations Webinars Witness training