In this webinar, Dr. Alexis Forbes and Dr. Will Rountree of Bonora Rountree Trial Consulting and Research explore implicit bias and its role in jury trials. Implicit bias has been the subject of research, policy initiatives, and even theoretical debates for over 40 years. They briefly summarize the operational definitions of implicit/unconscious bias in cognitive and social psychology literature, and legal scholarship. Cognitive load, available processing resources, and motivation all play a role in the likelihood that someone will have an unconscious biased thought or opinion about a person or issue. The examination of implicit bias in the context of jury trials focuses on the biased decision-making of jurors and judges. Just in the last few years, efforts have been made by the bench and the bar to reduce the effects of implicit bias in our legal system. Dr. Forbes and Dr. Rountree will share their very recent experiences with exploring implicit bias on jury questionnaires, and how to address jurors’ potential biases in voir dire.Learning Objectives:1.) What is the contemporary academic consensus on identifying and measuring implicit bias?2.) What are some potential ways that implicit bias manifests in jury trials?3.) What are some remedies to implement when you are concerned that implicit bias will be a factor in your jury trial?
Alexis Forbes, PhDDr. Alexis Forbes is an Associate Trial Consultant with Bonora Rountree Trial Consulting & Research. Dr. Forbes works on criminal matters and complex civil litigation including class action, antitrust, trade secret, employment, and patent cases. She specializes in pretrial research, questionnaire construction, and voir dire strategies. Alexis earned a Ph.D. in Psychology & Law from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York (CUNY). Alexis was an adjunct professor of Experimental Research Methods at John Jay College for five years. Alexis recently joined the Board of Directors for the American Society of Trial Consultants and serves as the Co-Chair of the Professional Education Committee.Will Rountree, PhD, JDDr. Will Rountree is a Senior Consultant with Bonora Rountree, Trial Consulting & Research in San Francisco, California. He has consulted in hundreds of cases including antitrust, insurance bad-faith, intellectual property, breach of contract, as well as civil rights and criminal defense cases.Dr. Rountree has written extensively on jury composition challenges, the discriminatory use of peremptory challenges, and voir dire questioning techniques in restricted time conditions. Combining consulting experience and research, Dr. Rountree has developed specific voir dire questioning methods to assist attorneys in revealing jurors’ biases. Dr. Rountree has also been retained as an expert, providing declarations on the prejudicial impact of pretrial publicity, and has provided in-court testimony on a successful change of venue motion.