Trial Consulting
Leveraging NorthStar’s vast experience both in and out of the courtroom helps you communicate your message clearly and persuasively.
We know the foundation for a successful outcome is tapping into the key facts and information to present a well-prepared and compelling argument.
To that end, NorthStar’s Trial Consulting services include:
Jury Research and Consulting
Our jury research enables you to hone your message and focus on what resonates with jurors.
At NorthStar, we combine diligent research with extensive trial experience to guide you through all aspects of the jury selection process. Our consultants bring a strategic, systematic approach to helping you select the optimal jury for your trial.
- Voir Dire: From drafting insightful questions or juror profiles to observing non-verbal cues or challenging problematic juror candidates, our goal is to help you seat a jury that is competent, fair, and open to being persuaded by the merits of your case.
- Social Media & General Research: Our team conducts comprehensive research across social media platforms, news outlets, library databases, public websites, and other sources to provide you with valuable insights into potential jurors. We uncover personal, political, familial, economic, vocational, and other factors that could influence their perspectives and decision-making processes.
- Post-Trial Interviews: At NorthStar, we are always learning from past experiences. Whenever possible, we conduct post-trial interviews with jurors to help us improve outcomes on future cases. This ever-evolving, collective wisdom is a valuable resource that we put to work for your clients.
We also use information revealed from our jury research to create visuals that reinforce your arguments . NorthStar excels at helping you present the evidence and graphics that best convey your message at trial. Learn more about our Visual Strategy and Graphics Consulting services below.
Mock Trials and Focus Groups
Our mock trials and focus groups help you understand what jurors think about your case and how they reach their decisions.
Informed choices and effective strategy are created when you understand what decision-makers are thinking, how they came to that conclusion, and why they feel the way they do.
NorthStar’s mock trials and focus groups offer a true evaluation of your case and its critical aspects, including jurors’ perceptions of key evidence, witnesses, arguments, and themes. This process provides invaluable qualitative insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each side’s argument.
We recruit mock jurors and focus group members from the jurisdiction where your case is venued. This provides your team with the most accurate reflection of who will hear your case and what their biases may be. Understanding regional biases is paramount to presenting the right information the right way.
Mock Trials
Mock trials generally take place over 1-2 days. Key issues and evidence from both sides are presented to jurors through live witness testimony, video depositions, exhibits, demonstratives, and arguments of counsel.
Mock jurors offer feedback both individually and collectively in a group setting.
Through dial testing, we capture moment-to-moment reactions from each juror individually, minimizing recall bias for more precise results. Additionally, jurors complete questionnaires both before receiving any case information and after each presentation to provide deeper insights.
After watching the case presentations and receiving the appropriate jury instructions, mock jurors deliberate and reach a verdict in multiple breakout rooms. NorthStar consultants then facilitate moderated post-verdict discussions to gather additional juror feedback on specific issues relevant to the trial team.
Focus Groups
Whether in-person or remote, focus groups are less comprehensive and less costly than mock trials, typically addressing only one or two specific issues in the case. They offer a chance to engage informally with participants and gather their feedback on key arguments in the case. Experienced moderators lead discussions and pose questions to uncover valuable insights.
Focus groups often include presentations from attorneys, with participants’ feedback being monitored using real-time response technology. By analyzing this data from individuals as well as groups, NorthStar can advise on specific arguments, word choices, or other presentation content that should be adjusted before the real trial.
We use the feedback and knowledge gleaned from these exercises to craft compelling visuals, account for unforeseen biases, simplify complex information, and anticipate counterarguments. This deep understanding allows your trial team to tailor your case and deliver the most potent and persuasive arguments.
Witness Preparation
Are your witnesses prepared to handle tough questions during trial? Do they struggle to maintain composure under pressure? How could a rigorous cross-examination affect their testimony?
NorthStar helps witnesses feel more comfortable and confident by equipping them with strategies to handle unexpected challenges during trial. Through role-playing, constructive feedback, and techniques to reduce visible signs of nervousness, we strengthen their courtroom presence. Our consultants also offer guidance on facial expressions, attire, body language, posture, and public speaking skills to enhance their credibility and effectiveness as witnesses.
Visual Strategy and Graphics Consulting
Clear, compelling graphics and visuals are essential to communicating your message with clarity and persuasion and are often the key to presenting a successful case.
Drawing on our extensive experience across a wide range of cases, we excel at transforming case themes into impactful visuals. We collaborate with your team to develop the most effective presentation strategy, ensuring your key points are communicated with maximum clarity and influence.
Whether it’s a static or animated graphic, an accident reconstruction, or a 2-D or 3-D animation, NorthStar’s graphics team ensures your message is delivered effectively to any audience.
What our clients say…
NorthStar is my trusted partner for every trial. Whether testing themes in a focus group or crafting a visual strategy, I rely on NorthStar’s critical insights, and the trial techs handle nearly every operational issue for me, allowing me to focus on winning. With over $50 million in recent verdicts and settlements, they are an indispensable and irreplaceable part of my success.
John Martin
Sullivan & Sullivan
I’ve had the privilege of working with NorthStar on several successful trials, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Their ability to transform complex information into clear, compelling visuals is extraordinary. Their insight into courtroom dynamics, witness testimony, and openings and closings significantly enhanced the jury’s comprehension and engagement. NorthStar has been an invaluable asset to our team, and I wouldn’t go to trial without them.
Shane Brunner
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP