Trial Lawyer Prep

We're all busy trial lawyers and specialists, typically juggling multiple cases at once. Time management and organization is crucial, and we can't allow ourselves to get overwhelmed, to risk impacting not just the case but our own health and well-being. It's worth taking the time to make sure your tasks and workflow are efficient, your calendar flows logically, and your habits are positive and healthy. Even just a few minutes' pause for retrospection and meditation can make a huge difference. And I've been right in the thick of it lately myself! As a trial consultant, I was getting two separate trials off the ground here recently, and so was devoting a lot of time to helping those trials get their opening statements, hit lists, and order of proof ready. This week's episode was one of the most popular of 2025, and features lawyer coach Dina Cataldo. Dina talks to us about the unique challenges lawyers face in managing their time effectively, the importance of mindset in overcoming overwhelm, and practical strategies for creating healthy routines. Dina reveals methods like "Sunday planning," and setting time limits for tasks, to streamline workflow and improve efficiency. And we talk about the unique challenges female attorneys face, balancing demanding careers with personal responsibilities, and provide strategies to enhance daily productivity and instill confidence. In this episode, learn how: Lawyers need to treat themselves as humans, not robots. Implementing time management is key for anyone in the legal field. Self-awareness is at the core of managing time and reducing stress. Healthy habits, including nutrition, impact overall performance and help you get better results. Creating a structured plan can alleviate trial-related stress. You can avoid getting caught underestimating the time needed for tasks. Address internal resistance and developing a healthy relationship with time. Links from this episode: Learn more about Dina Cataldo: https://www.dinacataldo.com Get Dina's Free Workbook: 3 Sneaky Problems Stealing Your Time and Productivity (and How to Fix Them Now!) https://dinacataldo.lpages.co/3-sneaky-problems/ You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel: Trial Lawyers and Time Management: Wisdom from Dina Cataldo [Ep 162] Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

We know we live in an attention-deficit age, where attention spans and concentration levels are lower than ever. It's not just about social media though. These trends carry forward into every day life, including in the court room. We simply can't assume that just because the jurors are there and present, that they will necessarily be paying as close attention as we expect. It's human nature to start to drift away and think about something else when you're not otherwise captured by a subject, and there is fascinating brain science that demonstrates why! So today we look at ways to maximize your impact, grab hold of the narrative, choose the most effective facts and frame your arguments in a way that keeps jurors engaged and wanting more. Even the judge will notice this approach! And will appreciate how you started with the hook. In fact, you could say that regardless of the impact of social media doom-scrolling, understanding these persuasion techniques has been a winning strategy in courtrooms, and beyond, for generations. So, get to the point, cut the small talk, lean into the hook and the best facts, and remember who you're talking to: tailor your presentation so that it resonates with a juror's brain. Set up a free consultation today: https://www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick In this episode, learn how: Mediation focus groups help assess case value and strategy. Running focus groups early can provide critical insights. Each focus group builds on the previous one for better results. Timing is key; don't wait until the last minute. Lawyers should commit to at least one focus group per case. Links from this episode: Beyond Bullet Points: Using PowerPoint to tell a compelling story that gets results, by Cliff Atkinson Mark Lanier, Lanier Trial Academy - laniertrialacademy.com You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel: The Hard Truth about Persuasion and the Lawyer Brain [Ep 161] Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

You're not going to be one of those lawyers that only starts thinking about a focus group 30 days before the trial, right? To make the most of the power and impact of focus groups, work backwards through this three-phase roadmap that helps you plan and prepare. You will see, and feel, a remarkable difference in your confidence, arguments and ultimately, your case. Why three phases? This structure taps into the various stages of trial prep, and gives you focus groups that are appropriate and effective for the moment your case is in. Whether it's in Phase 1 (Discovery), Phase 2 (Settlement/Mediation), or Phase 3 (Trial), focus groups reflect juror attitudes, bias and weakness detection, theme and damages testing, witness credibility feedback, and help lawyers make better settlement-versus-trial decisions. Work with me to fine-tune this strategy and ensure you're getting the most out of your focus groups! Set up a free consultation today: https://www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick In this episode, learn how: Mediation focus groups help assess case value and strategy. Running focus groups early can provide critical insights. Each focus group builds on the previous one for better results. Timing is key; don't wait until the last minute. Lawyers should commit to at least one focus group per case. I also talk in today's episode about a common misconception we have on how decisions are made for mediation. There is a dedicated episode on this topic, Episode 142, which you can find here: Avoid This Mistake if You Plan to Use Focus Group Clips in Mediation [Ep 142] You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel: The Three-Phase Focus Group Strategy Every Trial Lawyer Needs [Ep 160] Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

The jury selection process is changing and evolving. Are you willing to be bold and confront jury selection challenges head-on? This was a popular and very actionable conversation that I had with Sharif Gray last year, where we talked about what could be broken with your jury selection. We looked at assumptions and stereotypes that are often made, and I think it's a question worth returning to as we get deeper into 2026, when you may have trials coming up on the horizon. It could be very useful to consider these suggestions and tips when you're making important decisions on selecting, or deselecting, your jury members. Sharif turns the tables on many standard approaches and perspectives, and suggests that instead, we take potential concerns and weaknesses and turn them to our advantage. In so doing, you will demonstrate credibility, authenticity, trust and respect, for the potential jurors, the judge and even the defence. "We're there for fairness. So I'm looking for jurors who are going to do right by my client, but I'm also looking for jurors who are going to do right by the defense. Because it's not justice if you're going to close your eyes and just vote for my side every day of the week." - Sharif Gray. Sharif is a trial lawyer based in Richmond, Virginia, and the host of the Courtroom Stories and Tactics podcast, where he and his guests do deep dives on topics like voir dire, jury selection, the role of the legal system, and one of my favorites: focus groups! I was honored to be a guest on Sharif's show earlier this year. In this episode, you will learn about: Challenges in Traditional Jury Selection Building Credibility with the Jury Starting Jury Selection Right Effective Communication Techniques Building Credibility in the Courtroom Handling Juror Bias and Concerns Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Guest Sharif Gray of Broughton Injury Law. Find Broughton Injury Law here: graybroughton.com Reach Sharif personally at RVA Trial Lawyers: rvatriallawyers.com Listen to Courtroom Stories and Tactics, by RVA Trial Lawyers: rvatriallawyers.com/podcast/ Find my episode on Sharif's podcast: Mastering Witness Preparation Method and Focus Groups | with Elizabeth Larrick (Trial Consultant) The Voir Dire to Verdict training event is happening again! October 23, 2026. Click here for more info Email Sharif: [email protected] You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: Traditional Methods of Jury Selection are Broken! with Sharif Gray (replay) [Ep 159] Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

Are you confident in knowing the difference between trial strategy and trial tactics? Because ultimately the question is, does your jury understand what you're doing? Today, we're looking at how to identify a clear strategy as the overarching theme that guides the trial, followed by the tactics to achieve that strategy. There's a risk of confusing the two, including wasted time and causing confusion for jurors. The best strategies combine preparation and flexibility when you're in the courtroom. And remember, focus groups can test strategies early in the trial preparation process, showing you where to refine those strategies early. In this episode: Confusing strategy and tactics can lead to juror confusion. Tactics should be flexible and adaptable during trial. Jurors expect consistency in case presentation. Wasting time on tactics without a clear theme can cost cases. Focus groups can help test and refine trial strategies early. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube Channel: Trial Strategy v. Trial Tactics: Why Lawyers Confuse Them and What it Costs You [Ep 158] Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect