Elizabeth Larrick | Trial Consultant

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 scen...

Author

Elizabeth Larrick | Trial Consultant

Category

Education

Podcast website

larricklawfirm.com

Latest episode

Jul 1, 2026

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Episodes

The 8 Second Rule That's Costing You Verdicts [Ep 144] 16.07.2025

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 compelli...

Rewiring Witness Prep: 3 Brain Science Strategies Every Trial Lawyer Needs [Ep143] 02.07.2025

Elizabeth explores the application of brain science in witness preparation, offering trial lawyers strategies to enhance deposition prep. This episode focuses on leveraging the limbic system and amygdala to reduce stress and improve memory retention, moving away from fear-based tactics. Elizabeth discusses the importance of engaging clients by addressing their concerns and shares methods to counte...

Avoid This Mistake if You Plan to Use Focus Group Clips in Mediation [Ep142] 18.06.2025

Explore the potential of focus groups to elevate your mediation success with insights from Elizabeth Larrick. This episode is a must-listen for trial lawyers looking to refine their negotiation strategies. Elizabeth shares the strategic advantages of conducting focus groups two to three months before mediation to influence insurance company figures effectively. She distinguishes between focus grou...

Hey Lawyers, You Don't Need a Psych Degree to Run a Focus Group! [Ep 141] 04.06.2025

Unlock the tools you need to conduct focus groups and enhance your legal practice. This episode provides guidance for trial lawyers on how to gain juror insights without a psychology degree. We cover the fundamentals of setting clear objectives, planning structured sessions, and conducting test runs to avoid common mistakes. By mastering these skills, you'll be better equipped to connect with juri...

REPLAY: Joseph Rosenfeld, Image Consultant, on Personal Image for Lawyers [Ep140] 21.05.2025

Learn more about Joseph Rosenfeld Website for Lawyers & Experts LinkedIn Email: Joseph@Josephrosenfeld.com Don't miss out on in depth webinars join Elizabeth's monthly Trial Lawyer Prep newsletter! Join here. 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 revi...

Start Your Case on the Right Path: Using a Focus Group Before Discovery [Ep139] 07.05.2025

In this episode, Elizabeth Larrick discusses the importance of using Zoom focus groups before discovery in trial preparation. She outlines the benefits of these focus groups, including setting the right direction for a case, avoiding wasted time on irrelevant claims, and utilizing feedback effectively. Through a case study involving a school district, she illustrates how focus groups can help iden...

Guest Ben Gideon on Helping Trial Lawyers Assess Risk Better [Ep138] 23.04.2025

Join Ben Gideon as he explores the complex world of risk assessment in trial law. Despite their bold reputations, trial lawyers often lean towards risk-averse strategies, favoring settlements over trials. Ben reflects on his recent trial loss to analyze cognitive biases in decision-making and emphasizes the importance of embracing risk to secure significant verdicts. Drawing parallels between tria...

How to Work in Your Trial Strategy with Your Client's Testimony [Ep137] 09.04.2025

In this episode, Elizabeth goes into crafting authentic client testimonies to enhance courtroom success. She emphasizes avoiding scripted testimonies that erode credibility and offers strategies to naturally integrate case themes into client testimonies. Elizabeth outlines three key steps: avoid making clients memorize phrases, review their past statements, and conduct prep sessions to help them o...

Why Zoom Focus Groups Should Be Your First Thought Compared to In Person [Ep136] 26.03.2025

In this episode, Elizabeth shares expert insights on transforming your trial preparation with Zoom focus groups. Discover the unique benefits of virtual sessions, including the ability to capture participants' facial reactions up close, which can't be replicated in traditional settings. Elizabeth uses her extensive experience and real-world examples to demonstrate how these online gatherings can d...

Trial Preparation: Zooming out to see the Jury's Perspective [Ep135] 12.03.2025

In this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, host Elizabeth Larrick presents a structured approach to mastering trial preparation. She emphasizes starting with a comprehensive review of your case file, scrutinizing key documents like depositions and expert reports to identify core issues in liability and damages. This initial step involves crafting two crucial lists to streamline your strategy: one for l...

Your Trial Strategy Shouldn't Be an Afterthought: Make the Jury's Job Easy [Ep134] 26.02.2025

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, Elizabeth Larrick shares strategies for trial lawyers to develop a winning legal approach from the start of litigation. Drawing from her experience with renowned trial lawyer Don Keenan, Elizabeth explains the dangers of last-minute strategy planning and the confusion that can arise from disorganized opening statements. She emphasizes the need for a clear and...

Time Management for Trial Lawyers with Special Guest Dina Cataldo [Ep 133] 12.02.2025

Explore practical time management and mindset strategies tailored for trial lawyers with expert insights from lawyer coach Dina Cataldo. In this episode, Dina shares her journey from criminal prosecutor to coach, offering actionable advice to manage stress, prioritize tasks, and overcome negative thoughts. Discover how small habit changes can lead to significant improvements in your legal practice...

It's Not Too Late for Courtroom Persuasion: 3 Simple Ideas to Implement Now [Ep132] 29.01.2025

Even with the mounting pressures of trial preparation, Elizabeth offers three straightforward strategies any lawyer can implement: strategic timelines that tap into natural chronological thinking, active notepad writing to command attention, and the persuasive rule of threes. Whether you prefer simple sketches or polished presentations, Elizabeth offers guidance on easy techniques that pave the wa...

What is Trial Strategy and What it is NOT for Trial Lawyers [Ep131] 15.01.2025

Join Elizabeth Larrick as she shares insights on developing trial strategies that resonate with juries. This episode is designed for trial lawyers seeking to enhance their courtroom success by focusing on a comprehensive strategy rather than just meeting deadlines or relying on emotional narratives. Elizabeth delves into the importance of using focus groups to anticipate jury reactions and prepare...

Maximizing Focus Group Insights: A Guide to Reflective Practices [Ep 130] 01.01.2025

In this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, Elizabeth Larrick discusses the importance of immediate and thorough reflection on focus group feedback for trial lawyers. She emphasizes early recording of impressions, detailed review within seven days, and actionable steps to improve trial strategies. Elizabeth shares her methods for compiling and analyzing data to ensure focus group insights are effectivel...

How Michelle Gessner Won a $22 Million Dollar Verdict Against Wells Fargo Part 2 [Ep129] 18.12.2024

In this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, we delve into the role that focus groups can play in legal trials. This episode explores whether focus groups are worth the investment, as we continue our conversation with Michelle Gessner. Through a case study involving Wells Fargo, Michelle shares her experience in utilizing focus groups to anticipate juror reactions and refine legal strategies, ultimately...

How Michelle Gessner Won a $22 Million Dollar Verdict Against Wells Fargo Part 1 [Ep 128] 04.12.2024

Join us as we delve into the remarkable $22 million verdict achieved by trial lawyer Michelle Gessner against Wells Fargo. Michelle shares her strategic approach to a high-stakes case involving the wrongful termination of a Wells Fargo employee who requested a work-from-home accommodation under the ADA. This episode is packed with insights for trial lawyers, highlighting the value of focus groups...

How to Decide Whether to Settle or Go to Jury Trial? [Ep 127] 20.11.2024

Join Elizabeth Larrick as she explores the decision-making process of whether to settle a case or proceed to a jury trial. This episode provides trial lawyers with actionable insights into evaluating jury trials by examining recent verdicts and settlements and leveraging the experience of attorneys familiar with key players in the case. Elizabeth shares how focus groups composed of non-lawyers can...

How to Create Your Own Virtual System for Jury Research [Ep126] 06.11.2024

Join Elizabeth Larrick as she explores the transformative power of virtual focus groups for trial lawyers. In this episode, Elizabeth discusses her course, "DIY Virtual Focus Groups for Beginners," designed to equip trial lawyers with the skills to run their own focus groups. Elizabeth shares her experience of how these methods have enhanced her practice by providing crucial jury insights and impr...

Mock Jury isn't the ONLY Way to do Your Trial Preparation [Ep125] 23.10.2024

In this episode, Elizabeth explores innovative and cost-effective strategies for trial preparation that go beyond traditional mock juries. Designed with solo practitioners and small law firms in mind, this episode examines techniques like focus groups that can provide valuable insights without the high costs. Learn how attorneys like Ryan Squires and Peter Levine successfully used virtual focus gr...

The Easiest Place to Start if You are New to Virtual Jury Research [Ep124] 09.10.2024

Elizabeth Larrick, an experienced trial lawyer and consultant, discusses strategies for conducting effective virtual jury research using focus groups. By starting with a well-prepared opening statement, lawyers can harness simple, direct feedback to refine case strategies. Through examples and real case studies, Elizabeth demonstrates how to leverage virtual focus groups for trial preparation, emp...

Revolutionize Your Depositions: A Tool That Cuts Costs and Boosts Efficiency [Ep123] 25.09.2024

Expand your toolkit and improve your legal practice with our guest, Karl Seelbach, co-founder of Skribe. In this episode, Karl shares his journey from aspiring plaintiff's lawyer to co-founding his own defense firm.  Learn how Karl is transforming the legal field with Skribe, a tool designed to simplify legal depositions and video evidence management. Hear about the challenges that led to Skribe's...

Forget Jury Instructions start HERE for Trial Preparation [Ep122] 11.09.2024

Think jury instructions are where to start with getting ready for your jury trial? Think again. Join Elizabeth Larrick as she shares key strategies for achieving courtroom success. Learn why understanding a judge's rules and procedures is as important as knowing your case facts. Elizabeth delves into the specifics of voir dire, discussing time allocation and format variations to connect with juror...

Client Deposition Preparation: A Quick but Crucial Tip [Ep121] 28.08.2024

Get ready to master the nuances of preparing for virtual client depositions in 2024. Equip yourself with strategies that ensure your client is not just ready but confident and composed. Join me as I dive into the essential practice of virtual deposition preparation. You'll learn why it's crucial to simulate the actual virtual environment during practice, helping clients handle technical hiccups an...

Trial Lawyers Stop This Habit if You Want Reliable Case Feedback [Ep120] 14.08.2024

Did you know that seeking feedback from friends and family might be sabotaging your trial preparation? Join me as I break down why this common practice can be a trap rather than a helpful shortcut. In this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, you'll uncover three fundamental reasons why feedback from close individuals is inherently unreliable. From the biased nature of their opinions to the undue credibi...

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