In our work as trial graphics specialists, many cases require us to prepare a demonstrative exhibit that simplifies a complex process. This could be a scientific or technical matter such as how environmental remediation is conducted, how surgical mesh is used, or how data backups are migrated, or it could be a business or governmental matter such as how a form of bond obligation is created and sold or how a government contract is bid and awarded.
The key to making a successful process chart or flow chart is to create a simple trial graphic that anyone can quickly understand. It does not have to spell out every last detail of the science, technology, business concept, or governmental action involved; it merely has to discuss it accurately and in a way that will help the judge or jury understand what is at issue in the case.
Here are some examples of process chart trial graphics that we have used and that we thought were effective.
In this video below, we use PowerPoint intellectual property graphics to explain how video playback and freeze frames are handled through the use of tagging technology. This was a very valuable trial graphic in a patent case.
In the presentation below, we explain, in schematic form, the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process that is used to extract natural gas from rock. The presentation shows how far below the earth’s surface fracking occurs and the industry’s routine use of cement and steel casings to protect groundwater from the tools and substances used in the fracking process.
In the presentation below, we show in graphic form the process in which collateralized debt obligations are created by investment banks. Through the use of Prezi presentation software, we were able to make this highly technical and complex matter comprehensible to a fact finder by introducing the concept of an “investment” and then showing how CDO’s are simply a type of investment.
In the trial graphics, we explain the drug development process in the United States and the process for regulatory approval of new drugs by the Food and Drug Administration. This PowerPoint demonstration helped a jury understand the length of time that the process can take, why it can take so long to bring a drug to market, and all the steps involved.
Below, we introduce a jury to the process of creating a FLIP (Foreign Leveraged Investment Program). By numbering the steps in the process and creating arrows from the taxpayer to other entities, we were able to show how this tax shelter unfolds.
The PowerPoint trial graphics below, created for a patent trial, shows how a coal conversion process occurs.
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