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Sarah is speaking about sex assault cases on Dec. 9th @ the Association of Defense Counsel’s annual meeting →

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Trial Graphics

Many trial attorneys still worry about being judged harshly for having deep pockets if they offer polished graphic presentations. Stop worrying. Start learning. Visual communication is an essential part of trial presentation today, and being successful requires thinking through the eye and not just the text or the word.

The reality is that jurors want well-thought-out, well-prepared presentations that help them understand evidence.”

(We promise: they may think about how much lawyers are paid, but they don’t give a second thought to how much graphics cost. Still, need convincing? Read our blog post, “Do Fancy Graphics Make Jurors Think of Deep Pockets?”)

Jurors today — like most of us — are exposed to visual language constantly. Screens dominate most of their waking lives, so sophisticated visual communication is the norm. And given that the largest part of our brain (by far) is dedicated to visual processing, trial attorneys must convey cases visually to reinforce key arguments and pieces of evidence.

Crafting an effective visual trial does not require hundreds of graphics. It requires an understanding of visual language, an understanding of your case, and an understanding of trial persuasion. We understand all three.

We know when “a picture is worth 1,000 words,” and a well-crafted graphic will convey at a glance what might take 30 minutes to present in words and argument. An instantly graspable and unforgettable image (in case the graphic isn’t in the jury room) is invaluable — and we and our team of graphics partners have decades of experience creating those images.

We also know when a picture is not worth 1,000 words — an equally important skill when crafting your visual trial! Too often, clients believe that a video, photograph, or demonstrative will persuade a judge or jury on its own when it is obvious to us that the evidence will either not speak for itself or will deliver a message opposite to the one you want your audience to hear. 

Testimonials

“We knew that the testimony of the defendant doctor was going to be the key to winning the case. The work you did to prepare her, getting over her feelings of guilt about the bad outcome and guilt about going against a patient, made all the difference: I don’t think we would have won without you.”

John Hart

John Hart, Partner

Hart Wagner

“...The difference between our witnesses and theirs was like night and day. It made a huge difference with the jury.”

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Carl McConnell

Hoge Fenton

“After our meeting, I felt like there was a Spock mind-meld and I had the sense that I knew what the objective was for voir dire and, with that sense, I could be successful. It’s funny — I had the sense that the voir dire was a bit of a performance and taking stabs in the dark, but actually, it is much more concrete with clear objectives. Thanks again!”

Glenda Zarbock, Partner

Glenda Zarbock, Partner

Hanson Bridgett, LLP

“… thank you for the excellent advice and guidance you have provided in a number of high exposure cases over the past several years. My clients and I have benefitted from an array of your services — ranging from mock trials to strategies for closing arguments in a multi-month trial. What I have found uniquely beneficial is the depth of what you bring to a case and your unflinching commitment to calling it as you see it for the betterment of the case and its presentation. …

Richard S. Linkert

Richard S. Linkert, Partner

Matheny Sears

“… thank you for the excellent advice and guidance you have provided in a number of high exposure cases over the past several years. My clients and I have benefitted from an array of your services — ranging from mock trials to strategies for closing argument in a multi-month trial. What I have found uniquely beneficial is the depth of what you bring to a case and your unflinching commitment to calling it as you see it for the betterment of the case and its presentation. …"

Tad Allan

Tad Allan, Partner

O’Melveny

“Sarah's quick mastery of complicated facts and ability to tailor focus groups and mock trials to the issues in the case is unsurpassed.”

Jim McGinnis, Partner

Jim McGinnis, Partner

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

“...You did a better job on depo prep than I could have done because you were not concerned about interfering with the lawyer/client relationship. Your work was essential to the successful resolution of this case.”

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Steven Piser, Owner

Law Offices of Steven Piser

"... using your script, for the first time in my career I was able to successfully challenge for cause a juror sitting on the panel. In addition, the next day after the jury was empaneled, it was discovered that one of the jurors was under a broker/client relationship for the purchase of a home and sale of an existing home where the broker was the wife of one of the defense counsel. Both the defendant and the judge minimized the possibility of bias. Again, using your script, I was able to get her to say the magic words such that I didn’t even need to move to strike her — the judge determined it on his own. Thank you for your help. It was invaluable!"

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Daniel Glynn, Partner

Greener Burke Shoemaker Oberrecht, P.A.

“When I first started working with you, I had already done maybe 100 jury trials. I was surprised at what I still had to learn about voir dire and jury selection. I’ve used the skills I learned on every case I’ve tried since, to great success — so the value went far beyond what Sarah brought to the cases on which we worked together.”

Jeff R. Street, Partner

Jeff R. Street, Partner

Hodgkinson Street Mepham

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