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Winning a $27 Million Verdict After YEARS of Fighting, with Tim Bechtold [Ep 151]

Release Date: 10/22/2025

No Voir Dire? Here’s A Way to Create Your Own Secret Weapon [Ep 153]

Trial Lawyer Prep

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. We then look at the nuts and bolts of how to conduct virtual focus groups, create insightful jury profiles, and maximize the value of focus group feedback. By analyzing qualitative data from focus groups, lawyers can identify potential jurors who may not align with their...

The Art of Teamwork: Winning a $27+ million dollar verdict, with John Heenan [Ep 152]

Trial Lawyer Prep

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 the day to help push it over the finish line. We talk about how to approach the trial, the importance of adding someone new to a team for crucial fresh perspectives, and advice for working with conservative mentalities on juries and trial presentation....

Winning a $27 Million Verdict After YEARS of Fighting, with Tim Bechtold [Ep 151]

Trial Lawyer Prep

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, and the challenges faced due to procedural delays and missed deadlines. However, the perseverance of Tim and his team ultimately culminated in a favorable verdict and a reward of just over $27 million. Tim explains the importance of a focus group in shaping their trial strategy and reflects on the quick-paced...

Three Case-Saving Focus Groups to do in Discovery [Ep 150]

Trial Lawyer Prep

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 that can save cases: neutral narratives, timelines, and deposition preparation. Each type serves a unique purpose in helping lawyers understand their cases better, identify weaknesses, and prepare their clients for testimony. We want our clients to do the best job possible,...

Jury Selection: What's Broken With Traditional Methods? with Sharif Gray [Ep 149]

Trial Lawyer Prep

Are you willing to be bold and confront jury selection challenges head-on? Sharif Gray is here to share his perspective on jury selection, turning the tables on some of the assumptions and stereotypes that we often associate with the process and suggesting 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...

Surprising Insights Not Typically Expected by Lawyers, with Sheila Wilkinson (part two) [Ep 148]

Trial Lawyer Prep

We turn to focus groups for different perspectives, different viewpoints and unexpected interpretations. But sometimes, these insights can really catch us off guard, even when we think we already know the case. My good friend Sheila Wilkinson and I continue our conversation from Episode 147, and talk about why teaching lawyers to see their cases through fresh eyes changes everything. Sheila has her own revelations about what focus groups really reveal, and shares her own unique insight as a combined licensed attorney, licensed social worker, educator and coach. Sheila loves to share her...

The Transformative Power of Focus Groups with Sheila Wilkinson Part One [Ep 147]

Trial Lawyer Prep

Why are focus groups so transformative to the legal field? Today I invited my friend and fellow lawyer Shelia Wilkinson for a "podcast takeover" - Sheila becomes the interviewer, and asks me about my background and what brought me to doing this unique work of running focus groups for lawyers. We look at the methods and motivations I use, the value of focus groups in legal practice, how groups help lawyers communicate effectively, identify key case elements, and enhance overall strategy. Focus groups can transform a legal practice by offering a clearer perspective and...

How to Build Confidence in Your Clients During Depo Prep [Ep 146]

Trial Lawyer Prep

Explore the importance of building confidence in clients for depositions in this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, hosted by Elizabeth Larrick. Learn the difference between confident witnesses and ego-driven witnesses, and discover practical strategies for instilling confidence in clients ahead of their depositions. Elizabeth emphasizes using clients' words, co-creating preparation materials with them, and offering positive feedback. The goal is to help clients believe in their stories and communicate them effectively under questioning. We also look at the importance of role...

A Fresh Take on Using Video for Case Settlement, with guest Michael Schwarz [Ep145]

Trial Lawyer Prep

Elizabeth welcomes Michael Schwarz, founder of Prairie Nation Creative, to discuss innovative approaches to creating settlement videos for trial lawyers. Michael, a seasoned filmmaker, shares his journey from film school to starting a company specializing in impactful legal videos. His company introduced the concept of 'Trial Trailers™ ' - concise and compelling videos designed to summarize case damages and liability, pushing for quicker settlements. Michael also talks about 'demand impact videos,' a more affordable alternative using online interviews for lower-tier cases....

The 8 Second Rule That’s Costing You Verdicts [Ep 144]

Trial Lawyer Prep

In this episode, Elizabeth tackles the challenge of capturing and maintaining attention in legal settings, emphasizing the importance of the critical eight-second window to engage audiences like judges, mediators, opposing counsel, and juries. Discover methods to simplify complex legal jargon and prevent cognitive overload, ensuring clarity in your arguments. Elizabeth dives into crafting compelling trial strategies, focusing on the power of visual comparisons and thematic development in opening statements to effectively counter defense narratives. Whether it's contrasting visuals or...

More Episodes

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, and the challenges faced due to procedural delays and missed deadlines.

However, the perseverance of Tim and his team ultimately culminated in a favorable verdict and a reward of just over $27 million.

Tim explains the importance of a focus group in shaping their trial strategy and reflects on the quick-paced nature of their trial, as well as the broader implications of justice and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Tim Bechtold is a Montana-based trial lawyer known for his work in civil rights and environmental law.

In this episode, you will learn about:

How the case of Nate Lake highlights systemic issues in the justice system.
How the verdict of over $27 million underscores the importance of accountability.
Why justice for marginalized communities often requires persistence and dedication.
The role of storytelling in trials that is crucial for juror engagement.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: Winning a $27 Million Verdict After YEARS of Fighting, with Tim Bechtold [Ep 151]

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Supporting Resources:

Guest Tim Bechtold of Bechtold Law Firm, Montana.

Contact Tim directly at tim@bechtoldlaw.net

$27.75 million dollar verdict (KRTV news)

Northern Cheyenne v. BIA verdict (Daily Montanan)

Tim’s Environmental Work: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5416766

2025 Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award - AAJ: https://www.justice.org/membership/awards

2025 Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year Award: https://www.monttla.com/?pg=historical

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

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