by Christine | Jul 14, 2020 | Trial Themes & Strategy
Only July 8, the Eighth Judicial District in Nevada issued an order allowing a high-profile bench trial to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The impetus behind this is that unlike the local courthouse, the convention center has room for upwards of 50 people...
by Christine | Feb 25, 2019 | Jury Research & Jury Selection, Trial Themes & Strategy
“Batson challenge.” Few phrases cause greater discomfort in the courtroom. Counsel who are subjected to a Batson challenge – or its various incarnations in state court (Wheeler in California, Neil/Slappy in Florida, etc.) – often cringe at the implication that they...
by Christine | Dec 18, 2018 | Trial Themes & Strategy
We often hear attorneys suggest it is dangerous for civil defendants to try cases over the holidays. Conventional wisdom holds that there is a “Christmas Effect” that results in jurors being more generous on the verdict form. Our data, from several hundred similar...
by Christine | Jun 27, 2018 | Trial Themes & Strategy
You show up on the day of jury selection, and the judge asks counsel to present jurors a mini-opening before voir dire. Great opportunity to introduce jurors to your case and begin laying out your key themes and critical evidence, right? Wrong. Mini-opening is a...
by Christine | Apr 28, 2017 | Jury Research & Jury Selection, Trial Themes & Strategy
How is Trump going to affect my jury? No question has been asked more by our clients in the last few months. The Executive Orders and the accompanying protests, the nominations and the associated outcry from political opponents, and the composition of the cabinet and...
by Christine | Jan 9, 2017 | Jury Research & Jury Selection, Mock Trials & Focus Groups, Trial Themes & Strategy
First to Hit 70% College-Educated San Francisco jury panels have always been among the most educated in the state, but have never been the most educated. Santa Clara has for years held that distinction due to the influence of the high-tech workforce. However, in the...
