by Kaitlin Rothstein 
A2L Consulting

Have you ever noticed that when you have someone else take a look at a problem or help edit a document, they find another way to address the issue or find additional areas that can be tweaked?  That is what mock trials serve as, a tool to put additional eyes and minds on a massive set of data and find out where it can be fine tuned and perfected. 

The purpose of the mock trial is to educate the lawyers and clients on the case’s strengths and weaknesses and find where it can be enhanced. If you are on the fence about using a mock trial, think about these important ways that one could enhance your case:

1. Mock trials are very helpful in assisting in the fine-tuning of story formatting and trial presentation

• Storytelling and proper presentation style for the audience is key for persuasion
• Learn how to tell the story to properly teach the jury or approach the topic with a judge
• Allow you to test litigation graphics and themes on an audience to see reaction, level of understanding, and persuasion.
• See Storytelling at Trial: Will Your Story be Used?

2. Mock trials help you see the case from the other side: in the weeds vs. fresh perspective

• See the strengths and weaknesses of the other side’s case which allows you to build a better defense and structure for strongest case
• See 12 Astute Tips for Meaningful Mock Trials

3. Mock trials cause you to find gaps in your case (that you didn’t even know were there)

• You can get feedback from the mock jurors on what they did and didn’t understand, what did and didn’t work, or if there were issues missing in the presentation of the case.
  
• See 10 Things Every Mock Jury Ever Has Said

4. Mock trials assist in evaluating case themes and stories

• The mock jury will give feedback on the case and which themes worked and helped them along in their decisions and which ones were not helpful for your case.  While you may think that each theme is appropriate and key, you may learn that one should be left out or changed.
• You may also find out which themes are sound but need more explanation, through support (visual or litigation graphic development)
• This will also give you insight into how your jury will think, process, and determine the outcome of your case. This will help you to tailor how you respond, how you say it to hit home the hardest.
• See Planning For Courtroom Persuasion? Use a Two-Track Trial Strategy

5. Mock trials allow you to hone your skills

• There is no such thing as too much practice
• Practicing to get comfortable with the materials, practicing to get comfortable with the venue, practicing to be well polished and confident but not slick, are all great benefits of mock trials
• This focused preparation will come in handy during the heat of the day
• See Practice is a Crucial Piece of the Storytelling Puzzle

Other articles from A2L Consulting about mock trials, mock juries, storytelling, practice and jury consulting:

• FREE DOWNLOAD: Storytelling for Persuasion - 144-page complimentary book
• 10 Things Every Mock Jury Ever Has Said
• Why Do I Need A Mock Trial If There Is No Real Voir Dire?
• 3 Ways to Force Yourself to Practice Your Trial Presentation
• 7 Questions You Must Ask Your Mock Jury About Litigation Graphics
• 11 Problems with Mock Trials and How to Avoid Them
• 12 Astute Tips for Meaningful Mock Trials
• Trending: Mock Trial Testing of Litigation Graphics AND Arguments
• 10 Suggestions for Conducting Mock Bench Trial Consulting Exercises
• Mock Trials: Do They Work? Are They Valuable?
• The 13 Biggest Reasons to Avoid Last-Minute Trial Preparation
• The Magic of a 30:1 Presentation Preparation Ratio
• 11 Surprising Areas Where We Are Using Mock Exercises and Testing
• Accepting Litigation Consulting is the New Hurdle for Litigators