Archive | Trial Consulting

COVID-19 was Only One of Many Distractions

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 28, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

How I wish for a workplace free of distractions! On March 12, 2020, when the U.S.A. was still a relatively “normal” place, Magnus conducted a relatively large series of mock trials for a client. Conducting mock jury research requires many days of report writing for me, which necessitates highly concentrated efforts and high level thought […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 28, 2020

It often amazes me how much work Melissa and I have to do that has nothing to do with being a trial consultant, things which are not productive, and don’t create any revenue. On this fateful Monday, I found myself seeking out the property manager to report the plumbing problem, then working with him to […]

If the cake is bad, what good is the frosting?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 21, 2020

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

David and I become inspired to write our blog posts in a variety of ways, including by sources that many people would not find particularly inspiring. As an example, this post was inspired by a fortune cookie that was included in a recent delivery from a local Chinese restaurant. Many so called fortunes found inside […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 21, 2020

If the cake is bad, what good is the frosting? I guess this is similar to the adage about not judging a book by its cover. The book cover, or the frosting, can cover up what is worn or rotten inside. Cutting the cake, looking under the hood, or beyond a glossy cover, reveals what […]

We Can’t Make our Clients Do Anything

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 14, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

David and I recently attended a meeting with attorneys and their clients regarding a case for which they were considering retaining Magnus. The clients of the attorneys are a group of wealthy, sophisticated people who are accustomed to getting their way in all aspects of their lives. These individuals are from a variety of professional […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 14, 2020

Many years ago, after we had completed a mock jury project for a first time client and he had resolved the case, I made a follow up call to him to ask his impressions. He said everything was great, but he did have one complaint, he said, “You should have made me do this sooner.” […]

It’s all guesswork…

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 9, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I was recently discussing with a client Melissa’s involvement as a trial consultant during jury selection. The attorney was well seasoned, has had many trials, but has never engaged a trial consultant to assist during jury selection. And, like most attorneys these days, the opportunities to conduct jury selection, and go to trial, with everything […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 9, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I’m not sure which of Magnus’ uninformed/misinformed clients made this remark to David, but this remark is another reminder that seemingly intelligent, sophisticated people are sometimes not as intelligent or sophisticated as they would like other people to believe. Guesswork? Did this guy say guesswork? There is nothing, absolutely nothing, involving guesswork in my jury […]

Theo

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 7, 2020

Category: Business Relationships, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Travel, Trial Consulting

I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. During my career as a jury/trial consultant, I have traveled across the U.S.A. to work with attorneys. Part of my travel experience is staying in hotels in the cities where I am working. In places where Magnus works on a frequent basis, such as David’s hometown, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 7, 2020

Category: Business Relationships, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Travel, Trial Consulting

Anonymity is the norm when traveling. Different flights, different airports, different hotels, and different restaurants. It is a relatively rare situation to end up getting acquainted with someone who works in one of these places. And, if you do see a familiar person from time to time on subsequent trips, the connection is generally perfunctory. […]

Judges are People: Some are nice and others, not so nice

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 24, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consulting

Judges are people, just like the rest of us. There are many types of judges, young, old, women, men, smart, not so smart, nice, and not nice. In my years of working as a jury/trial consultant, I have encountered many judges. I have met judges during hundreds of jury selections; I have made presentations with […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 24, 2020

I’m sure in most professions there are good and bad. I can’t think of any profession without such outliers at the extremes. I don’t get to observe many judges in action, I’ve met plenty, but seeing them in action is in Melissa’s bailiwick, not mine. Most judges I know are courteous and professional, but I […]

Trial Team Crew

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 19, 2020

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

Once again, I was reminded about the people who support the lead trial attorney. The lead attorney and 2nd chair attorneys get the attention, like the rock star. Like Ozzy, Mick, or Geddy, who are lead singers, the lead attorneys are in the spotlight (or hot seat). But, behind them, there is often a small […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 19, 2020

I have had the pleasure of working with attorneys and their trial teams for several decades. It never ceases to amaze me that almost all of Magnus’ clients have a small army of professionals working with them on behalf of our mutual clients. When I am involved in selecting a jury for a client, I […]

Excuses versus Legitimate Reasons for Jury Duty Dismissal

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 10, 2020

Category: Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

This is the third, and final, post about my recent experience with jury duty in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. As readers of David’s and my blog know, I have spent much of my career as a jury/trial consultant assisting attorneys selecting hundreds of juries. In addition, I have conducted numerous scientific studies of jury […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 10, 2020

Not only have Melissa and I heard the question, “How do I get off of jury duty?” too many times to count, but Melissa hears the excuses on a regular basis. And, I’ve taken random calls, from strangers, asking how to “get off” jury duty on several occasions. Melissa reports to me that some judges […]

Free Advice on Selecting a Jury

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 3, 2020

As a follow up to my previous post regarding my day of jury duty, this post will involve some free advice to attorneys. I rarely provide free advice, but my observations during my jury service warrant it. When the plaintiff’s attorney in the automobile accident case on which I was a prospective juror began to […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 3, 2020

Because I don’t do in court jury selection consultation, my critique of the attorneys I’ve observed is more limited. But, for the jury on which I was selected, I had a few observations. The primary one was the fact that the attorneys for the prosecution and the defendant – a public defender, did a POOR […]

A Jury Consultant’s View of Jury Duty

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 25, 2020

I recently had the privilege of being summoned to appear for jury duty in Broward County, Florida, where I have lived for almost 30 years. Unlike almost everyone I know, I was not dismayed, afraid, or angry to receive my jury summons. I was, in fact, somewhat happy about it, as well as hopeful that, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 25, 2020

I’m not certain, but I think I’ve been called for jury duty about 5 times since moving to Broward County in 1991. On two occasions, after arriving at a very early hour, and spending several hours in the jury assembly room enduring the tedious process, I was sent home without going to a courtroom. On […]

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Archive | Trial Consulting

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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A Point of View

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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