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Jurors make their decisions at trial using their intellect and their hearts. The challenge for the trial lawyer is to shape the case so that jurors can reason their way to a verdict without contradicting their instincts about what is right and just. Our services are designed to help lawyers develop trial strategies and case themes that will reach people -- all kinds of people -- in ways that appeal to their intellectual, emotional and moral concerns.

Our services are built around the requirements of effective trial presentation:

• A simple story
• Themes that resonate
• Witnesses who can testify clearly, and with confidence
• Visual images that people understand and remember
• Openings and closings that move and persuade people
• Jurors who will listen, watch and judge with an open mind

Judges, arbitrators and mediators expect the same clarity and competency that jurors hope for -- an organized, compelling presentation, visuals to assist with complex material, and persuasive argument.

Case Themes and Arguments
Research tells us that jurors judge a case by trying to figure out the story behind the evidence and testimony they hear at trial. From brainstorming sessions to in-depth analysis of the case documents and pre-trial research, we work with your team to create a persuasive story structured around strong, memorable themes.

Opening and Closing Statements
Openings and closings involve the skillful combination of case themes, story-telling and evidence. We can help you draft or refine a statement that is compelling and persuasive. Whether we are reviewing written drafts or rehearsing with you live, we offer specific suggestions on thematic structure, language, analogies and graphics.

Mock Trials and Focus Groups
Watching a group of people hotly debate the issues in your case can be one of the most thought-provoking and enlightening exercises on the road to trial. Mock Trials and Focus Groups offer you the opportunity to present your most compelling arguments, incorporating documents, witnesses and graphics. The benefits include:

• New ideas about effective trial strategy
• Insights into jury selection
• Factors to consider as you and your client weigh the pros and cons of settlement

From moderated Focus Groups covering general case issues to testing key evidence and witnesses in Mock Trials with deliberations, pretrial research can be tailored to fit the needs of your case and your client's budget.

Venue Evaluation and Community Attitude Surveys
In trying to determine where to file your case or when considering a change of venue, we bring our wide-ranging expertise in assessing and evaluating jury pools across the country. We have extensive experience in designing and conducting surveys to identify pre-existing attitudes and levels of exposure to a case, and to assess characteristics of alternate venues.

Witness Evaluation
Each witness creates an impression and the quality of that impression has a powerful effect on jurors. Sometimes it is not what the witness says, but how it is said that makes the difference. Whether it is a fact witness or an expert, good communication is key to effective testimony. We build confidence and give witnesses the communication tools to successfully engage the jurors.

Courtroom Graphics Consulting
Effective trial graphics reinforce your communication of trial themes and arguments by being convincing and authoritative. We work closely with the trial team and your graphics firm so you get the best possible result -- strong trial graphics that improve comprehension and retention of complex information and further your trial strategy.

Jury Selection: Preparation and In-Court Assistance
In developing a strategy for jury selection, we evaluate which attitudes, experiences and personality characteristics among jurors that will be favorable or problematic for your client. Our process may include:

• Developing a Supplemental Juror Questionnaire
• Crafting voir dire questions
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of focus group and mock trial participants
• Venue Analysis

If a juror questionnaire is used, our team can provide summaries with evaluations of each prospective juror and follow-up questions.

On the day of jury selection, we will assist you in court by assessing the prospective jurors, suggesting targeted voir dire questions and making recommendations for peremptory challenges.

Post-Trial Interviews
Post-trial interviews provide crucial information about jurors' deliberations and reasoning processes, identifying influential documents or testimony, and explaining the outcome -- whether verdict or mistrial. Timely interviews of jurors can be a cost-effective knowledge resource when facing the possibility of an appeal or retrial and in preparing for litigation in other cases with similar issues.

Trial Monitoring
Having a Bonora D'Andrea consultant monitor your trial gives you the benefit of ongoing feedback on your case as it progresses. We provide insights on the strength and clarity of case themes, evidence and witness testimony, as well as observations on courtroom dynamics and the use of trial graphics. Based on our in-court observations, we offer suggestions to strengthen case themes and strategy. In-court trial monitoring also provides a strong basis for the preparation of the closing arguments.