Technology Tuesday: Using PowerPoint at Trial

The Cogent Legal Blog posted about California judges’ thoughts about trial presentation.  The upshot?  Technology is good.  Regarding PowerPoint presentations, one judge

talked extensively about studies showing that jurors listen carefully for only about 4 minutes, and then they rely on visuals and body language more than anything. What’s the lesson here? Keep your presentation tight, visual and to the point.

The judges also advised lawyers that the technology should not overwhelm the attorneys’ connection with the jury and the client’s story.  There is no quicker way to sever that connection than through the use of bullet points.  A proper PowerPoint accompanying the opening statement or closing argument is almost entirely visuals—there should be very little text involved.  The text that is used should be actual evidence—transcripts of testimony, contracts between parties, and so forth.

One practice that judges approved of that I’ve used on every case is to use PowerPoint to show the jury the Special Verdict Sheet (the piece of paper that they take to the back room that they fill out to show their verdict).  These forms, as simple as they may appear to be, are always somewhat complicated for the layperson.  A significant amount of time in closing (remember David Ball on Damages) should be spent discussing your client’s injuries.  But take it a step further, and tell the jury exactly how they should fill out the special verdict sheet.  With every click of the wireless presenter, the special verdict form should magically complete itself, with check marks in all of the right spots, and with dollar amounts telling the jury what you recommend.

If you have an upcoming trial and want to amaze the jury, contact us at 443.850.4426 about our custom Trial Architecture Packages.  We will design PowerPoint presentations tailored to your case needs.  We’ll even take the pressure off by running it for you at trial.