What happens when psychology meets the courtroom and artificial intelligence starts reshaping how we select juries?
On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney and CRO Stephanie Douglass give you their Conference Flyover from the American Society of Trial Consultants' 44th Annual Conference in New Orleans. They share insights gathered from interviews with trial consultants, psychology students, legal professionals, and industry veterans who are navigating the intersection of behavioral science and legal strategy.
The conversations reveal how trial consulting has become essential for cases involving wrongful convictions, with some professionals advocating for jury consultants to be standard practice rather than a luxury. Conference attendees discuss the meticulous research that goes into understanding potential jurors, the growing importance of social media management during high-profile trials, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform jury selection processes. The field attracts professionals from diverse backgrounds, from forensic psychology graduates to seasoned attorneys, all working to bridge the gap between human behavior and legal outcomes. "I see AI as having significant implications in the future for our industry," Emerson manager Patty Kuehn explains. "I think being on the cutting edge of learning how to use it as a tool is critically important."
The conference addresses pressing challenges facing the industry, including the need for more comprehensive jury selection processes, the role of technology in modern trials, and the importance of maintaining neutrality while applying psychological principles to legal proceedings. Attendees emphasize that trial consulting isn't about winning or losing, but about ensuring fair representation and understanding human decision-making in high-stakes situations. The field continues to evolve as professionals explore new methodologies for identifying bias, understanding jury dynamics, and applying cutting-edge research to real-world legal scenarios.
If you want to connect with the professionals featured in this episode, included below are their LinkedIn profiles. If you do decide to connect, let them know Little Bird Marketing sent you their way: Samantha Weiner, Kyle Leffler, John Si, Patrick Ryan, Jacob Rolls, Patty Kuehn, Colin Piazza, Claudia Varner, Anthony Legion, Molly Outland, and Ally Robertson.
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