Trial Lawyer Prep

Trial Lawyer Prep

Trial Lawyer Prep is a biweekly podcast about the craft of building successful plaintiff cases — from the moment a case walks in the door to the outcome that closes it, whether that's a jury verdict or settlement. Each episode is a how-to: focus group methodology, witness preparation, persuasion and case themes, trial tactics, deposition strategy, and case preparation that delivers the best possible outcome for your client. Hosted by Elizabeth Larrick — a former plaintiff personal injury attorney turned trial consultant — the show pulls back the curtain on the work that happens behind the scenes to build stronger cases. Episodes alternate between solo deep-dives on specific tactics and conversations with trial lawyers who are doing the work.

Episodes

July 1, 2026 10 mins

What if our assumptions about modern attention spans aren't accurate?

We are all used to hearing that people have much, much shorter attention spans these days, thanks to social media, clickbait, algorithms, and a constant barrage of information.

While those things certainly represent a major shift in our day ...

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For an effective discovery, case framing should start as early as possible. But be ready to pivot!

Don't let the other side get the jump on you in framing a case, and put you in catch-up mode from the start. You need to start framing a case at intake, especially for higher-value cases.

But, as our guest points...

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There is a crucial difference between timelines and sequences, and if you want jurors to see your case as plainly as you see it, you need to pay close attention.

Today we explore not just how timelines help jurors understand the case quickly, but why that is: the psychology and brain science behind retaining information. Timelines are a curated visual picture of the case, ...

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Five days before trial, a team chose to play defense witness deposition clips, instead of calling the witnesses live.

Instinct tells us, training tells us: do it live. Live is better. Live is more persuasive. Live is much more catchy for cross exam. Video puts people to sleep.

However, what I walk you through ...

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AI has hit the mainstream, and not just in everyday life, but in trial law and legal prep.

The days of startups and experimental software have quickly evolved to comprehensive, through and reliable AI-based programs, used by countless law firms and lawyers every day.

As a result, it feels like we are racing to keep up. ...

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Running a good focus group is really a lot like conducting a good trial: Fundamentally, it's about understanding people.
And you don't need a psychology degree to do so. If you have an innate understanding for human behavior, relationships, biases and different means of communication, then you already have the instinct to make the m...

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Heading into deposition prep, your clients are typically nervous, anxious, overwhelmed and lacking confidence.
They are most likely in a situation they have never found themselves in before, and undoubtedly the stakes feel very high.
But we need to get them to focus, to remember, to think and answer cle...

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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...

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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 b...

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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 diffe...

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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 ass...

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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...

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"What part of this story just doesn't hit you right?"
How would a potential juror answer that question? We're talking about gut feeling, instinctive reaction: something that's there, and they're trying to put their finger on it.
The...

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It's your favorite episodes, topics and themes from Trial Lawyer Prep in 2025, as reflected by the data: you know how much we love facts!
I look at what you enjoyed the most, and why, with all the links below if you want to revisit or catch up on these episodes and their valuable information.
I'm excite...

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We're going back to the basics this week, asking, "Why do trial lawyers even do focus groups?"
Focus groups are not primarily for determining case value or winning cases. Instead, focus groups provide valuable insights into jury perceptions, case weaknesses, and effective storytelling strategies.
I shar...

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In this week's episode, we're looking at a powerful and often overlooked tool for persuasion: side-by-side comparisons.
Discover how this method can simplify complex information and sway jury decisions in your favor. I shares practical insights from my virtual focus groups, which offer strategic ways to leverage this tool throughout...

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Today, we're talking about the advantages of using virtual focus groups to enhance jury selection, especially in jurisdictions with limited voir dire.
I share a real-life success story where a lawyer used virtual focus groups and a detailed jury research chart to navigate a challenging trial with confidence.
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In our last episode, we heard from Tim Bechtold, whose perseverance ultimately led to a verdict in Montana of over $27 million for his client.
Today, we're joined by Tim's partner in the case, John Heenan, for his perspective on the process and the role he played in achieving the result, particularly as someone who joined late in th...

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Tim Bechtold spent years fighting a a civil rights case involving a prisoner from the Montana State Prison System.
In today's conversation, we look at the intricacies of the case, detailing the client's wrongful conviction, subsequent assault in a private prison...

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Our episode this week demonstrates why even small focus groups can go a long way towards saving your case.
Running focus groups in discovery can accomplish a lot in even just 50 minutes, giving you data and analysis that you simply wouldn't have otherwise.
I outline three specific types of focus groups ...

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