This panel features three senior trial consultants who have provided visual communications and presentation technology consulting to trial attorneys in a multitude of venues. Adam Bloomberg, Ric Dexter and Jason Barnes have supported thousands of trials, arbitration proceedings, mock trials and other hearings. They often take on the role of a “shadow juror” or jury consultant during trial, observing and keeping counsel informed as to how things might appear to the actual panel.This presentation offers valuable insight to visual communications professionals, presentation technologists and focus group design and mock jury research consultants. They cover the strategies and benefits of engaging graphics and technology professionals as early as the drafting of the initial complaint and throughout other pre-trial milestones like mock jury focus groups. Moderated by similarly seasoned consultant Suann Ingle, will share observations, standards and anecdotes that have proven most effective assisting counsel in the preparation for and ultimate presentation of evidence in the courtroom.
Suann Ingle: Suann Ingle is one of the country’s top visual communication consultants for trial attorneys and litigants. An expert graphic designer, she is also a trusted partner who offers decisive advice on presentation strategy and execution. After thousands of hours in the hot seat in courtrooms and arbitration hearings, Suann remains calm, focused and unflappable regardless of circumstances. This enables her to sense what’s coming, and adjust visual communication on the fly to keep judges, juries and arbiters focused on the merits of the case.Since entering the field in 1994, Suann has consulted on a wide range of litigation matters, including intellectual property, white collar, insurance, financial services, employment, and complex business disputes. She has extensive experience in scaling and managing trial support teams and has helped deliver successful outcomes in venues throughout the United States and in Europe.Her visual expertise is grounded in academic study, including a Master of Science degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute. When she is sketching her ideas, Suann explains the principles behind the sketch – and why they increase the odds of winning. Her personal warmth and empathetic style also enable her to teach, develop and inspire other graphics professionals to embrace the challenges of high-stakes litigation as a career.Jason Barnes:Jason Barnes is a founding Partner, the Client Services Partner, and Senior Trial Consultant at The Focal Point. He also leads the firm in the development of case themes and strategies. In a career spanning more than 24 years, he was a pioneer in the electronic trial graphics revolution and has prepared hundreds of cases for trial.Adam Bloomberg: With more than 20 years of experience, Adam Bloomberg has consulted with hundreds of trial teams and corporate clients to develop communication strategies and presentations that educate, inform and persuade. He creates materials and exhibits for mock trials, focus groups, arbitrations and trials.As the Managing Director of Visual Communications at Litigation Insights, Adam has led trial and war room technology and logistics efforts for a plethora of cases, such as toxic tort, product liability and commercial cases. While we have presentation technology consultants ready for the courtroom, Adam has been seen in the hot seat himself honing his skills on occasion. Over the years, he has published articles on trial technology in various professional periodicals including the National Law Journal.Ric Dexter:Ric Dexter, the 2017 - 2018 President of the ASTC, was trained as a Paralegal in the mid-70s. He has been working with the legal community since 1978 when he opened one of the first production companies specializing in video services for litigation. From 1980 - 1984 he served as president of the National Forensic Video Association. There he worked with other members to pioneer electronic trial presentation. While auditing courses at the DFW School of Law in the early 90's, Ric started working with Dr. Don Nichols where he learned the art of preparing presentations for mock trials. With his pedagogical education and experience working with consultants in dozens of mock trials and with trial teams in more than a hundred trials, his clients asked him to assist in preparing themes and storylines for trial. His philosophical and legal education was put to use in helping train witnesses to testify in depositions and in trial. For the last 20 years Ric was Senior Trial Consultant at the law firm of Haynes and Boone. Leaving that firm last year Ric opened R-D Consulting.