On Monday, Jay-Z's lawyer, Alex Spiro, held a press conference to address allegations against the rapper to publicly dispute rape claims and clarify the situation. Although the statement's purpose was evident—protecting his client and trying to influence public perception—several visual presentation errors can offer essential insights for legal communications in and out of the courtroom.

I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Shapiro, but his firm, Quinn Emanuel et al., has been a client. Overall, I believe he performed exceptionally well and commend his assertive defense. It essentially acknowledges that Jay-Z faces a more significant threat to his reputation than legal liability in this case.

While Mr. Spiro's oral presentation is nearly flawless, his litigation graphics presentation is substandard . . . profoundly substandard. For a firm like Quinn to have used this is surprising. Having defended celebrities wrongly accused of sexual assault, I know there is a rush to get out the truth and to do so forcefully. Perhaps in that rush, commonsense modern rules of litigation graphics were brushed aside.

We can learn from this. Below, I offer 11 lessons for your next trial/litigation graphics presentation, whether for trial or reputation defense.

Here's the presentation made in Jay-Z's defense by Alex Spiro:

1. Keep Text Minimal: One of the most prominent issues was the excessive text on the screen. In legal presentations, less can be more. Overloading viewers with information can lead to confusion and disengagement. Shoot for no more than 20 words on the screen at once, and even that's usually too many.

2. Font Size Matters: The fonts used in the presentation were almost always too small, making it difficult for viewers to read. Always ensure that text is large enough to be easily legible, especially when presenting outside the courtroom on mobile devices where many will be watching. No smaller than 28-point fonts are best.

3. Limited Screen Time for Each Slide: The time allocated to each text screen was a significant flaw. Viewers need adequate time to read and comprehend the information presented. Allow sufficient time for each point to resonate with the audience. Otherwise, you bump into the redundancy effect where your audience doesn't know whether to pay attention to you or the text and scrambles both.

4. Focus on Visuals Over Text: Visual storytelling can be much more effective than simply displaying text when making a video statement. Including key imagery can supplement spoken words without overwhelming viewers. There appear to be incredibly useful photographs in this presentation, and I couldn't make most of them out.

5. Clear and Concise Messaging: The core message should be articulated succinctly. Long-winded statements can dilute the impact of the message. It’s essential to be straightforward and direct. One message per slide, not 10, 20, or more.

6. Never Use Bullet Points: The only thing these bullets kill is persuasion. See Powerful PowerPoint Presentation Tips: Ditch the Bullet Points!

7. Consider Your Presentation Technology: I don't love segmented video screens, and I don't really understand why they would be used at all. A fancy-looking screen with an Ultra Short Throw Projector or Short Throw Projector would have been a better choice. Whether you like his politics or not, Benjamin Netanyahu, for example, looked much better with a rear projector here.

8. Practice Delivery: The attorney’s direct delivery was commendable, but pacing and emphasis could have been improved. Practicing the delivery ensures a confident presentation that resonates with an audience. I would've set it up so that Mr. Spiro never had to turn away from the audience.

9. Consider Audience Attention Spans: The presentation should be tailored to fit shorter attention spans in today's fast-paced world. Keeping the video brief can help maintain engagement and focus. I would've recommended presenting a list of the top 10 things wrong with the accuser's story (people like lists because they can budget their focus and time) and then releasing a long-form video with a complete rebuttal.

10. Pause for Effect: There were instances when Mr. Spiro could've paused and stopped the presentation to emphasize a point and force the audience to look at him. See The Best Ways to Pause PowerPoint to Enhance Connection with Judges and Juries.

11. End with a Strong Summary: I love the repetition of statements like, "It didn't exist" and "This just didn't happen." Repetition is very effective. Concluding with a powerful summary of the main points can help leave a lasting impression. Reinforcing key takeaways ensures that the audience remembers the critical elements of the defense. As the adage goes, tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them.

While it’s admirable that Jay-Z’s attorney attempted to address the accusations head-on, there are clear lessons to be learned about effective presentation. The way information is communicated can significantly affect public perception, especially in a legal context. By refining these aspects, legal professionals can create compelling and persuasive statements that resonate with their audience.

Let's review some tips for compelling trial graphics using science, not mere aesthetics:

• 5 PowerPoint Blunders: The Worst Litigators' Mistakes
• The 14 Most Preventable Trial Preparation Mistakes
• The 12 Worst PowerPoint Mistakes Litigators Make
• How Many Persuasion Errors Can You Spot in This Slide? How many of the 17 errors can you spot in the Jay-Z presentation?