Archive | Trial Consultants

A Matter of Perspective

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 30, 2023

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

A recent discussion with a client about his client’s (an insurance adjuster) reluctance to engage us for mock jury research is stuck in my mind. The adjuster, whose multiple bosses overruled in authorizing the expenditure on the mock jury research, remained adamantly against it as he did not believe the defendant had an liability such […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 30, 2023

I’m thrilled I don’t have to deal with reluctant, know it all, insurance adjusters too often. I would find it tiresome. In the recent case David mentioned, there were countless delays caused by the reluctant, know it all, adjuster that almost resulted in our not being able to help the end client, that is, the […]

10 Years After, Part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 23, 2023

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

Working as a trial consultant has many unique factors that keep our lives interesting, and sometimes, frustrating. One factor is the time between when we are called on a case and when we actually do our work, such as a mock trial, and when that case goes to trial. I sometimes have attorneys ask me […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 23, 2023

David does an excellent job of following up with Magnus’ clients. Some people would be offended by the “radio silence” that usually happens between when a client contacts us about a potential case and when he or she decides to retain us. Not David. David calls, then calls again and again, emails, then emails again […]

Top Reasons to Do Litigation Research

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 16, 2023

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

It seems that “top 5 or top 10″ lists are popular in many areas. They are often entertaining; the show “Family Feud” is built on them. Late night talk shows thrive on them, going back at least to Johnny Carson. Thus, I thought I’d list a few of the top reasons for conducting mock jury, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 16, 2023

The top 5 reasons David mentioned about conducting mock jury or focus group research are on point. I have no additional reasons to add, therefore, I will make a general comment. In the 30 years David and I have owned Magnus, including the almost 10 years we have been writing our twice weekly blog, we […]

Managing Expectations

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 2, 2023

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

This is the third post in a series on professionalism. This one is about making “keepable promises” with regard to deadlines and deliverables. We, at Magnus, work in a world with many deadlines; very often, these are deadlines beyond the control of our clients. That is, judges set trial dates and discovery deadlines with which […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 2, 2023

I recently observed my 50th anniversary of employment. Having lost my father at an early age, I had to work in order during high school to help my mother with our household expenses. In 50 years of working, I can proudly say that I have never, ever, missed a deadline or failed to deliver my […]

Arbitration Research

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 21, 2023

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

Most attorneys retain Magnus Research Consultants for pre mediation or pre trial jury research, but arbitration is increasingly used to resolve cases. After all these years, it is interesting to note attorneys’ surprise when they find out that we conduct pre arbitration research. They ask us, “How can we do that? Where can we find […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 21, 2023

This is one of those areas where our attorney clients must “think out of the box.” (I actually detest that phrase, but it seems so common that it is well understood to mean be creative.) Unfortunately, I know all too well how what we are, what we do, is put in a “box” of sorts, […]

“If I Don’t Drive the Bus…”

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 14, 2023

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

I am writing this post on the birthday of one of my former bosses. As the absolute worst boss I ever had, this person will remain nameless. (This being said, many readers will be able to identify my former boss, having heard her use this expression on numerous occasions.) As much as I dislike her, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 14, 2023

Many years ago, too many to consider, an uncle of mine took me for a ride in his Beechcraft Bonanza, V tail and all. I got to ride with him a few times – it was thrilling! One memory I have of flying with him was that the yoke was connected in the middle of […]

Biggest Marketing Changes in 30 Years

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 9, 2023

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

Recently, Melissa and I have been talking with a long time client about an issue we have, and he has, identified as being a challenge for us, and him, as a trial lawyer/mentor. That is, the “new generation” of litigators/trial lawyers lack experience with trial consultants. In a recent, eye-opening, conversation that included his young […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 9, 2023

The current generation of associate attorneys and their lack of awareness of the existence of trial consultants reminds me of the years I worked as an adjunct professor. (As a side note, for many years after I earned my Ph. D., I had 2 jobs, a full time job in the corporate world and a […]

Help When There’s a “Cause”

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 8, 2023

Category: Business personalities, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants

Almost everyone has a “cause” or sometimes, more than one, that they support. Many people support causes by merely talking about them, while others volunteer their time and provide financial assistance to their favorite cause. For example, the Humane Society in many people’s hometown depends on monetary contributions, donations, and volunteer staff members to fulfill […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 8, 2023

I’m not sure what prompted Melissa to write her post. Goodness knows, she has supported many “causes” whether friends, families, or strangers. We both have in various ways, including working on cases pro bono when the cause was just. What struck me though, in reading her post is how often the act of helping others […]

Litigation Management Success Tips

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 2, 2023

Category: Careers, Employment, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I am a bit behind in my reading and I just finished a September 2020 CLM Magazine article by James McKeown entitled Rules of the Road: Five Tips for Successful Claims and Litigation Management. Mr. McKeown wrote this article aimed at claims professionals and the attorneys involved in the defense of claims. His 5 tips […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 2, 2023

Magnus’ original slogan was “Reducing the uncertainty of litigation.” There are numerous uncertainties in the world of litigation, however, an astute law professor, the late McKinley Smiley, advised us to change our slogan because many attorneys are not uncertain about anything. They may be wrong, but they are certain. This also applies to insurance adjusters, […]

Why I’m a social psychologist

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 31, 2023

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

In my almost 4 decades of being a social psychologist, few people have asked me why I decided on a career in social psychology. Maybe it’s not too interesting to find out why people choose a career, maybe there’s something else to discuss, or maybe the topic never occurred to the people with whom I […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 31, 2023

Melissa told me the story of why she chose social psychology not long after we met. The number of social psychologists are but a fraction of the total number of psychologists and are not what one usually thinks of when thinking of psychologists. Clinical psychologists, like TV’s Dr. Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) are much more […]

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Archive | Trial Consultants

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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