AI During Trial: Jury & Verdict. Part Two with Michelle Gessner [Ep 171]

In our last episode, we learned about Michelle Gessner's recent trial in North Carolina, where she was forced to pivot from a regular audio/video presentation, using modern technology, to a courtroom with no microphones, no TVs, no projectors and a single power outlet (already claimed by the clerk and the court reporter!).

Click here to catch Episode 170 and hear the back story for today's episode.

Michelle used AI to help adapt to this unexpected turn of events, asking it how to craft a visual presentation under these unique circumstances.

Today, we learn how it unfolded.

You could feel the courtroom change as the case progressed, and this was a quick trial: starting on a Monday, verdict by the end of day Tuesday. Literally two days.

In fact, there were some assets to the old-school, analogue approach: better eye contact with jurors, fewer distractions, and more movement.

Using what was learned from the focus groups before the trial, and the creative AI suggestions for presenting evidence, Michelle was able to correctly anticipate the jury's emotional reactions as the witnesses unfolded.

With AI helping between trial days to make sure she'd met her burden of proof, Michelle then gave her closing argument with foam boards instead of any PowerPoint slides or technology.

And the result: she won.

If you want more trial prep strategies just like this, but in more depth and delivered straight to your inbox, grab my email newsletter that I send out each month:

https://www.larricklawfirm.com/newsletter

In this episode, we cover:

• How the visuals created with AI significantly engaged the jury.
• Focus groups provided valuable insights for trial strategy.
• How word choice is so important in your presentation.
• Closing arguments were enhanced by using visuals instead of technology.

Remember to check out Episodes 128 & 129, featuring Michelle Gessner and her $21 million dollar verdict against Wells Fargo:

• Part 1 [Ep 128]
• Part 2 [Ep 129]

You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel:

AI During Trial: Jury & Verdict. Part Two with Michelle Gessner [Ep 171]

 

Learn more about my guest Michelle Gessner:

• https://www.mgessnerlaw.com/
• [e-mail]

Michelle Gessner is one of the few lawyers, if not the only lawyer, in North Carolina who has both Big Law and Big Company defense experience, as well as 10 years of employee-side employment litigation experience, which she has been nearly exclusively handling since 2015. 

Michelle possesses a deep understanding of the many challenges employees face dealing with wage theft and other illegal employment practices.

Prior to its formation, Michelle gained extensive experience in all legal issues facing the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries by serving as the Chief Litigation and Employment Law Counsel for publicly traded companies such as Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO), Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI), Big Lots Stores, Inc. (BIG) and TriNet (TNET). Michelle also served as the SVP, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer for Ovation Brands, a privately held $1 billion restaurant company.

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/newsletter