Trial Services
Here’s the thing: We don’t believe in “jury consulting.”
The research is pretty clear that juror characteristics, attitudes, and backgrounds have little to do with the outcome of a trial relative to other variables under the lawyer’s control. So why not focus on what you can control: yourself?
Speaking at Rick Friedman’s Taking Back the Courtroom CLE with Roger Dodd, author of Cross Examination.
We don’t promise anything we can’t deliver. But here’s what we can deliver: a better attorney. Turn up the volume on your nonverbal communication and crush the opposition in the courtroom. No need to hire expensive jury consultants when the research says it doesn’t work.
(Hire us instead. We’re expensive, but this stuff actually works.)
Our services include:
Statement Coaching
Outside of voir dire, your case rests upon how clearly you present a road map for jurors to follow throughout the case. Inconsistent, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, disorganized opening and closing statements just won’t cut it. We will help you prepare your opening and closing statements by assisting you with content placement, themes, and of course, kick-ass presentation skills. Let’s face it. The opening statement is the one place you really get to make an impression on the jury. Don’t screw it up.
Voir Dire Preparation
You win or lose your case in voir dire. You know it and we know it. So your voir dire is only as good as your preparation. Yes/No questions are pointless; they don’t elicit meaningful information. We will go through jury questionnaires (if available) to design specific questions for specific jurors, and show you how to generate juror participation during jury selection. Most important: you’ll learn how to create rapport and coax even the most reserved jurors to open up.
Witness Preparation
All witnesses need preparation, even the experts. We’ll help you prepare. With nonverbal communication skills, your witnesses can remain calm under pressure, and communicate clearly and confidently. End result: their testimony will actually resonate with the jury. Great testimony is useless if it’s not communicated well.
Jury Selection
After our thorough preparation, we’ll observe how you interact with potential jurors during jury selection. We’ll give you in-the-moment feedback and help you assess specific jurors. We’ll be on-site to assist you in choosing your peremptory challenges, ensuring that you have the most receptive jury possible.
Trial Observation & Support
We’ll continue to coach you through the trial and make recommendations for adjustments based on interactions with opposing counsel, witnesses, and the judge. We’ll debrief with you daily, offering support and advice so you can fine-tune your communication during trial versus kicking yourself later.
Sari de la Motte taught me to re-think my prior concepts about body language. At one point during an opening statement, I stood before the jury in a different place from where I had been, and it felt very awkward. I wanted to yell out “Dadgum it, Sari! Just exactly WHAT should I be doing right now??”
Sari showed me that what we think we see in someone’s face or the way they hold their body is not always right. In fact, sometimes we are totally wrong. It is easier now for me to accept what appears to be negative body language in a juror. Crossed arms do not always mean the juror is not accepting what you are saying. A furrowed brow may not mean what I think either. Sari teaches with energy and enthusiasm, and she is such a pleasure to work with.
–Randy Kinnard, Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge / Member, Inner Circle of Advocates
After 25 years of picking juries and trying cases, I hired Sari to take my work to a new and better level. Working with her proved to be both daunting and enlightening. She is insightful and blunt and I reaped great rewards working with her.
–David T. McDonald, P.C.