Five Principles for Ensuring the Effective Use of Focus Groups and Mock Trials

For many litigators, empirical jury research methods, such as focus groups and mock trials, have become a standard part of preparing any medium-to-large case for trial. Sophisticated in-house counsel now routinely insist that empirical jury research be a part of the trial preparation and case valuat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FDCC quarterly 2008-01, Vol.58 (2), p.241
Main Author: Stolle, Dennis P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attorneys
Deposition
Focus groups
Juries
Law schools
Legal research
Principles
Research methodology
Trial preparation
Trials
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Summary:For many litigators, empirical jury research methods, such as focus groups and mock trials, have become a standard part of preparing any medium-to-large case for trial. Sophisticated in-house counsel now routinely insist that empirical jury research be a part of the trial preparation and case valuation process in their litigated matters. For now, standards of legal practice regarding when and how to use jury research are evolving. However, one thing is clear. The time has come when litigators should become familiar with the fundamentals of empirical jury research and develop a knowledge base sufficient for them to identify why, when, and how they might engage in such research. By understanding the conceptual foundation for engaging in jury research and by understanding and working with social scientists to achieve the fundamental principles, a litigator can work to ensure the effective use of focus groups and mock trials.
ISSN:1544-9947