Cross-Examination: The Three C’s of Impeachment
Cross-Examination: How to Effectively Impeach with a Prior Inconsistent Statement
Podcast - Cross-Examination: Don't Argue - Elicit Facts
Podcast - Direct Examination: Getting Rid of Clutter
The Basics of Opening Statements
Exuding Credibility in the Courtroom
Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 233: Listen and Learn -- Impeachment (Part 2)
The Strategic Advantages of Working with Jury Consultants – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 56
Witness Testimony Themes, Cross Examination, & Preparation Consultants – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 55
Witness Prep Goals, Credibility Factors, & Juror Comprehension – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 54
Live Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What’s Changed?
Protecting Trade Secrets When Facing Lawsuits or Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures
Podcast - Listen for the Song in Your Witness' Head
Podcast: What is a Deposition?
The "Compass Rose" Method for Corporate Witness Interviews
Podcast: Witness Preparation is Okay
Podcast: Bridging the Gap
Podcast - Rule 6: If You Don't Remember, Say So
Podcast - Rule 4: Be a Relentlessly Polite Witness
Podcast - Rule 2: Remember, You Are On The Record
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains how to impeach a witness' credibility through prior inconsistent statements. He emphasizes the importance of carefully...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small highlights the impact of verbal clutter in legal proceedings. He stresses the importance of asking concise, clear questions,...more
IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera explains why themes are important for testimony, how to prep witnesses for cross, and what attorneys can gain from working with consultants. Listen, watch, and/or read...more
IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera explains why themes are important for testimony, how to prep witnesses for cross, and what attorneys can gain from working with consultants. View the transcript here:...more
Until the 20th century, the best drama most Americans could see was found not on screen but in their county courthouse. Today, we can sit at home and watch 100 years of film and 70 years of television. Cavernous courtrooms...more
Witnesses, I’d like to have a word. You know the most important audience for your testimony — the jurors in the courtroom with you, or the future jury who might someday see a clip of your deposition? That audience is kind of...more
When thinking about the title for this post, I came awfully close to saying that certainty “matters more” than accuracy, but I thought that perhaps it might sound too cynical. But that stronger version is supported by the...more
Here’s an intuitive belief that many who work in the field of law might adhere to: More information leads to better decisions. Those who work in the social sciences, however, know that this does not always hold true. Based on...more
Arriving for the preparation meeting, the witness notices that there’s someone new in the room: a communications consultant. A non-lawyer visiting from out-of-town, the consultant is introduced by the lawyer as a specialist...more
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend every day of a civil trial, and then interview all of the jurors at the end of their service. I planned out a very comprehensive interview for each of them, including running...more
Prior to deposition or trial testimony, it is common for witnesses to have one or more meetings. These are sessions with their attorneys, and sometimes with others including trial consultants or client representatives. One...more
When testifying, there are some situations where a “less is more” rule applies. In a deposition, for example, you don’t want to aid the other side, and will often prefer conciseness. However, when undergoing cross-examination...more