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Jury Consultant Assistant | Legal Research & Trial Strategy

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

LegalResearchConsultingProfessional Services

🎯 Role Definition

As a Jury Consultant Assistant, you will be the backbone of our trial consulting operations, working directly with senior consultants and legal teams to shape winning trial strategies. This role is a unique blend of social science research, legal support, and project management. You will play a crucial part in helping our clients understand the attitudes, biases, and motivations of potential jurors. Your work—from conducting in-depth background research to coordinating mock trials and analyzing data—will directly influence case narratives, jury selection, and ultimately, trial outcomes. This is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with a passion for psychology, law, and human behavior to build a career in the fascinating field of litigation consulting.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal / Litigation Paralegal
  • Legal Research Assistant
  • Recent Graduate (Psychology, Sociology, Law)

Advancement To:

  • Jury Consultant / Trial Consultant
  • Project Manager, Litigation Support
  • Senior Research Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Market Research Analyst
  • Corporate Communications Specialist
  • Litigation Technology Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive background research on potential jurors using public records, online databases, social media, and other investigative tools to identify life experiences and potential biases.
  • Assist in the strategic development, drafting, and refinement of Supplemental Juror Questionnaires (SJQs) designed to elicit critical information about juror attitudes.
  • Perform detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of juror questionnaire responses to identify key trends, demographic profiles, and potential candidates for cause or peremptory strikes.
  • Coordinate the end-to-end logistics for mock trials, focus groups, and shadow juries, including participant recruitment, venue coordination, materials preparation, and technology setup.
  • Take meticulous, real-time notes during live and mock voir dire sessions, tracking juror responses, non-verbal cues, and group dynamics to support the trial team's selection strategy.
  • Observe and code mock juror deliberations, capturing key arguments, decision-making processes, and group influence to provide actionable insights for case theme development.
  • Assist senior consultants in drafting client-facing reports, PowerPoint presentations, and detailed memoranda that synthesize research findings and provide clear strategic recommendations.
  • Create compelling data visualizations, including charts, graphs, and heat maps, to present complex research data to legal teams in an easily digestible format.
  • Provide essential on-site support to trial teams during jury selection and throughout the trial, managing juror information and responding to real-time strategic needs.
  • Help develop and refine case themes, narratives, and opening/closing arguments by integrating feedback and data from focus groups and mock trials.
  • Manage and maintain the integrity of confidential participant and case databases, ensuring all data is handled with the utmost discretion and accuracy.
  • Prepare and organize critical trial materials, including demonstrative exhibits, witness preparation binders, and comprehensive jury selection notebooks for the legal team.

Secondary Functions

  • Monitor online conversations, news media, and community sentiment related to high-profile cases to assess the impact of pretrial publicity.
  • Assist with the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of audio/visual equipment and online platforms used for remote or in-person research exercises.
  • Compile extensive research dossiers on key witnesses, opposing experts, and judges to inform overall trial strategy.
  • Contribute to post-verdict interviews with actual jurors to gather invaluable feedback on trial presentation, evidence, and arguments for future cases.
  • Proofread, edit, and format all client deliverables to ensure they meet the firm’s high standards for quality, clarity, and professionalism.
  • Support administrative functions, including project timeline management, client meeting scheduling, and expense reporting related to trial projects.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover novel insights.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Research Skills: Proficiency in online research databases (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw, Accurint) and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques.
  • Data Analysis: Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis; familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) or survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics) is a major plus.
  • MS Office Suite Mastery: Expert-level ability in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word for creating presentations, analyzing data, and drafting reports.
  • Social Media Acumen: Deep understanding of various social media platforms for discreet and ethical research and monitoring.
  • Legal Knowledge: Solid understanding of legal terminology, court processes, and the litigation lifecycle.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to data collection, analysis, and report generation is non-negotiable.
  • Discretion and Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential case information with the utmost integrity.
  • Superior Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple complex projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight, often shifting, deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Critical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex information and draw logical, insightful conclusions.
  • Adaptability and Composure: Ability to remain calm, flexible, and effective under the high-pressure conditions of trial preparation and execution.
  • Collaborative Mindset: A proactive team player with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with consultants, legal teams, and research participants.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year university.

Preferred Education:

  • Advanced degree (Master's, Ph.D., or J.D.) in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Communications
  • Law / Pre-Law / Criminal Justice
  • Political Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of relevant professional experience.

Preferred: Prior experience in a role such as a paralegal, litigation assistant, or research assistant within a law firm, government agency, or academic research setting is highly desirable. Experience directly related to market research, political polling, or social science research is also strongly valued.

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