Recording and Slides: Using Focus Groups to Win Million Dollar Cases

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NTL Webinar: Using Focus Groups to Win a Million Dollar Case

There comes a time in the practice of every plaintiff's trial lawyer when a client arrives with a million-dollar case. Even though the damages are high and the liability is clear, a lot can go wrong between the selection of a jury and the closing argument.

• Your client may be deserving -- but not be a sympathetic claimant to the jury.
• Jurors may have hidden prejudices that you are reluctant to inquire into.
• The defense may have a bogus case, but it may be persuasive to the jury.

When a case is worth millions, smart attorneys invest in presenting their case to a focus group. Frequently used to test out a new product, a political campaign or a television series, a focus group is a demographically diverse group of people assembled to participate in a guided discussion about a particular product before it is launched, or to provide ongoing feedback on a pending lawsuit.
his was the situation that faced Katherine Cárdenas, a partner with Lucas & Cárdenas in Chicago. She has more than 20 years of experience representing adults and minors in every area of personal injury.

After she tested her personal injury case before several panels of ordinary people, she discovered unspoken toxic prejudices in the jury, how the jury viewed her client, and how effective her expert witnesses were.

She adapted her case, changed her opening argument and obtained a significant settlement eight days into the trial, before her client even took the stand.

What you will discover:

• The elements of a focus group.
• The preparation required.
• The presentation of the case.
• What she learned about being an advocate.
• Why you should conduct a focus group on your big cases.
• Costs.

About Katherine Cardenas

Ms. Cárdenas has more than 20 years of experience representing adults and minors who have suffered debilitating injuries in every area of personal injury. She prides herself on tenaciously representing her clients from day one to the very end.

She is a member of the highly esteemed Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum due to her repeated success in winning multi-million dollar settlements for her clients. In 2012 was recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

She is an Indiana University graduate and obtained her law degree from Loyola University School of Law Chicago. Ms. Cárdenas has tried numerous cases in Cook County, Will County, and Lake County, Illinois. She has represented clients in Federal Court and has argued before the Supreme Court of Illinois. Ms. Cárdenas is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Association for Justice and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Ms. Cárdenas has tried numerous cases in Cook County, Will County, and Lake County, Illinois. She has represented clients in Federal Court and has argued before the Supreme Court of Illinois. Ms. Cárdenas is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Association for Justice and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.