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Training witnesses with technical backgrounds - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the subject of GENs (geeks, eggheads, and nerds) and how their social awkwardness and interests outside of popular culture can make working with them a challenge in depositions or in trial where risks should be minimized. We also touched on the changes taki...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 71 views Litigation psychology Witness training


Training witnesses with technical backgrounds - part 1
Here’s a quiz: Can you identify the source for these famous Nerd lines? · “Ray, when somebody asks if you’re a god, you say yes!” · “This is what makes time travel possible: the flux capacitor!” · “The force is strong with this one.” · “Hey Yoooou Guys!” Answers appear at the end of this post. If ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 131 views Litigation psychology Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #63 - Reptile and anchoring
Attorney Nick Rauch with Larson King in St. Paul, Minnesota joins the podcast and talks with Dr. Bill Kanasky about his recent article in For the Defense on counter anchoring and the reverse reptile and how he has used reverse reptile in depositions. Nick explains the concepts of anchoring and cou...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— March 2021 — 172 views Anti-reptile Depositions Litigation psychology Reptile Witness training


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 — 226 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 — 315 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 — 168 views Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Mental health, witnesses, and litigation
* Introduction * The Covid-19 pandemic has been responsible for a high level of stress, anxiety, fear, and concern for everyone. The pressure on individual’s mental health can’t be overstated. To rapidly monitor recent changes in mental health since the start of the pandemic, the National Center f...
Alyssa Parker Hwang, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 231 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology 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 — 255 views Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #58 - Zoom trials
Shareholder and defense attorney Heather Snider from Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Chicago joins the podcast and shares her experience with a recent 5-day Zoom bench trial, including what worked, what didn't, how technical issues and objections were handled, and more. Heather and Dr. Bill ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 309 views Anti-reptile Depositions Litigation psychology Reptile Trial consulting Witness training


Discovery obligations during the pandemic
Having resolved discovery disputes related to the COVID-19 pandemic for almost a year, trial courts have considered myriad creative discovery objections concerning whether and how litigants must present their witnesses for deposition testimony. With increased familiarity and experience resolving w...
Jae Ellis - Courtroom Sciences, Inc.
— February 2021 — 257 views Court reporting COVID-19 Depositions Paralegals


Impact of pandemic-related mental stress on witnesses
Dr. Alyssa Parker, CSI Litigation Consultant, is featured on the Best's Insurance Professional Resources podcast discussing the impact of pandemic-related mental stress on witnesses. Click the image to view the episode. None   watch the podcast http://www.ambest.com/video/video.aspx?...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 307 views COVID-19 Depositions Insurance defense Litigation psychology Witness training


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 — 307 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 — 301 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 — 326 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 — 396 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 — 467 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


Four lethal but preventable mistakes in civil litigation - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we wrote about how a n increasing number of cases are being resolved based upon their  perceptual  value  at  the  jury  level, rather than their realistic economic worth and how this often results in a defendant corporation having to pay significantly higher settlement ...
Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D.
— January 2021 — 335 views Depositions Jurors 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 — 422 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


Four lethal but preventable mistakes in civil litigation - part 1
An increasing number of cases are  being resolved based upon their  perceptual  value  at  the  jury  level, rather than their realistic economic worth.  Plaintiff attorneys have become experts at taking  small, relatively benign cases and turning them  into expensive “runaway trains” or "nu...
Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D.
— January 2021 — 353 views Jurors Litigation psychology 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 — 431 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Crisis Enterprise risk management Jury consulting Litigation psychology Nuclear verdicts Reptile Trial consulting Witness training