Prepared voir dire, selected the jury, and prepared demonstrative exhibits for the defense in a jury trial in Hendricks County, Indiana. The plaintiff had sued her former employer and its president for defamation after the company president had fired the plaintiff for suspected theft and reported her to the police. After three days of evidence, the court granted the defense’s motion for judgment as a matter of law.

Conducted a research project for the defendant in an age discrimination case in the Northern District of Indiana. The case involved an insurance company executive who was fired as part of the company downsizing. The plaintiff was seeking back pay, front pay, and liquidated damages. A settlement favorable to our client was reached just before the scheduled jury trial.

Provided theme development and strategy consultation to the defense in a matter in which a former employee alleged that his termination violated the federal False Claims Act. Specifically, the former employee alleged that he was fired in retaliation for his effort to stop one or more alleged violations of the FCA. We consulted with the defense on themes and arguments likely to resonate with a jury in the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, as well as on trial presentation strategies. Summary judgment was granted in our client’s favor shortly before the scheduled trial date.

Conducted a mock arbitration study on behalf of a professional sports team in an employment dispute with a player. The employment dispute was governed by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement and was subject to an arbitration provision. The study involved presenting briefing, oral arguments, and evidence to a panel of mock arbitrators recruited from across the country for their expertise and experience in sports employment law. The study results helped shape the trial team’s arbitration strategies and assess risks associated with the arbitration. A confidential settlement was reached after the study and shortly before the scheduled arbitration.

Conducted a mock bench trial on behalf of the defendant in a dispute relating to drivers’ contracts in the Champ Car World Series. The mock trial was conducted with a panel of retired and former judges and involved the presentation of evidence and testimony for the judges’ review, including witness testimony presented by video. The study allowed the trial team to determine which aspects of a complex commercial dispute were most important to the decisions of a panel of judges. The study also provided the trial team with detailed feedback regarding judicial perceptions of key witnesses. Result: The case settled favorably for the defense prior to trial.

Conducted pre-trial ThemeTesting study, prepared demonstrative exhibits, assisted with jury selection, and monitored trial on behalf of a defendant manufacturer in an employment discrimination jury trial in Federal Court in Indiana.  Result: Defense verdict following 14 hours of jury deliberation. 

Conducted a jury simulation project in Chicago on behalf of the plaintiff in a wrongful termination action filed by a physician against the physician's former employer.

Conducted a jury simulation project on behalf of the plaintiff in a case involving the theft of trade secrets by the plaintiff's former employee.  The case, which involved energy and utilities, was tried to a jury in the Southern District of Indiana and resulted in what was then the largest jury verdict in Indiana Federal Court history.