Use of Trial Consultants With some practice, a trial attorney
may become quite effective at organiz- ing and conducting focus groups. But a competent and experienced trial consultant, however, will bring greater insight to the research. Consultants do this for their living. Each has differ- ent strengths and backgrounds, which may include professional experience in psychology, law, medicine, theater, anthropology, political science, story
telling and social sciences. Consultants are experienced in advising how to cre- ate themes, sequence evidence and tell a story. Always select a professional consultant who is a member of the national organization, The American Society of Trial Consultants (ASTC), found at
www.astcweb.org. The organi- zation is headquartered in Timonium, Maryland. Even if a trial consultant does not
facilitate a jury focus group, consider speaking with one ahead of time to help
identify issues to be researched and to help test themes and stories. Consider having a consultant review the video tape of the focus group discussion and deliberations. Observations and sug- gestions from such a professional will be invaluable.
Synthesizing the Information
The outcome of jury focus research is not necessarily predictive of case suc-
Welcome
NEW AND RETURNING MTLA MEMBERS July 2007 - October 2008
Margaret Erika Alston Michael S. Barrett
William Barton Daniel Bastien Thomas Baxter
Heather Byroade
Constance Camus William J. Chen, Jr.
H. Richard Duden, III David Ellin
Teresa Epps Joel Fader
Robert Fiore Matthew Fox
Michael S. Fox Joshua Friedman
Thomas Gagliardo
Linda M. Gantt Susan R. Green Jennifer F. Hare Joseph P. Hart Benjamin Hassan Quinton Herbert Timothy J. Hogan
James E. Hock, Jr. Shireen Jayatilaka Veronica Jennings Joyce Jones
Wallace Kleid
David P. Korteling Francis C. Lanasa
Michael A. Mastracci Eileen McInerney
Craig Meyers Julie Mitchell
D. Michael Mullori, Jr. Michael Myers
Glenn E. Mintzer Mark Nee
Megan R. Nichols Shane Nikolao
Thomas O’Gorman Keith A. Parris
Charles C. Parsons Scott M. Pollins
Katharine O. Porwick Diego J. Rojas
Felipe Santo Domingo Benjamin S. Salsbury
Jane P. Santoni Daniel Schultz Mark Scurti Marc Snyder
Scott A. Snyder
Orian C. Southall Joseph Strimber
Soon Ei Sweeney Michael Taylor
Jennifer Thompson John Thyden
Erica S. White John Williams
Joseph T. Williams Yvette Ziegler
38 Trial Reporter Spring 2008
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