Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jury Field Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Jury Field Coordinator is a pivotal, hands-on role within the trial consulting and litigation support ecosystem. This position serves as the logistical backbone for jury research projects, ensuring the seamless execution of mock trials, focus groups, and community attitude surveys. The coordinator is the primary liaison for recruiting and managing mock jurors, handling everything from initial outreach and screening to on-site management and post-project follow-up.

This role demands a unique blend of event management, research acumen, and interpersonal finesse. The Jury Field Coordinator is responsible for creating a controlled, professional environment that allows legal teams to gain invaluable insights into potential jury perceptions. Success in this position directly impacts the quality of research data and the strategic advice provided to clients, making it an essential component of modern trial preparation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Market Research Coordinator
Event Coordinator or Meeting Planner
Administrative Project Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Jury Field Coordinator
Project Manager, Litigation Support
Director of Field Operations or Jury Research
Junior Jury Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Trial Technology Specialist
Corporate Event Planner
Market Research Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

The Jury Field Coordinator is entrusted with the end-to-end management of the "field" components of jury research. Key accountabilities include:

Full-Cycle Juror Recruitment: Spearhead the recruitment and screening of surrogate jurors for research projects, meticulously matching participant profiles to specific demographic, experiential, and attitudinal criteria required for each unique case.
Logistical Oversight: Mastermind all logistical arrangements for in-person and remote research events, including venue sourcing and negotiation, catering, travel coordination, and accommodation for the consulting team.
On-Site Project Execution: Act as the on-site director during research projects, managing event flow, greeting and checking in participants, and ensuring a professional and confidential environment for clients and jurors.
Participant Management & Communication: Serve as the single point of contact for all mock juror communications, handling scheduling, providing detailed instructions, answering inquiries, and managing any last-minute scheduling conflicts with poise and professionalism.
Material & Equipment Preparation: Prepare, organize, and transport all essential project materials, such as confidentiality agreements, detailed questionnaires, case summaries, and stimulus presentations.
Database Administration: Maintain and diligently update the firm's proprietary database of potential research participants, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and strict confidentiality.
Recruitment Strategy Development: Design and implement innovative and effective recruiting strategies using online advertising, social media, and community outreach to build diverse and representative juror pools in various legal jurisdictions nationwide.
On-Site Troubleshooting: Proactively identify and resolve any logistical, technical, or participant-related issues that arise before, during, or after a research project, ensuring minimal disruption to the research process.
Financial Administration: Manage project-related expenses, including participant honoraria, vendor payments, and travel costs, by processing payments, tracking expenditures against a budget, and reconciling invoices.
Technical Setup & Support: Oversee the setup and testing of all on-site technical equipment, including laptops for electronic surveys, video/audio recording devices, and presentation displays, ensuring all systems are fully operational.
Client & Team Liaison: Collaborate closely with senior consultants and legal teams to fully understand project objectives, timelines, and specific recruiting parameters for each engagement.
Confidentiality Enforcement: Uphold and enforce strict confidentiality protocols for all sensitive case materials and participant data, a critical aspect of working within the legal field.
Vendor Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a network of nationwide vendors, including hotels, research facilities, and caterers, to ensure high-quality service and favorable terms.
Travel Management: Coordinate and execute frequent travel to project locations across the country, often on short notice, to provide essential hands-on management of field research.
Participant Experience: Ensure a positive and professional experience for all mock jurors from initial contact through project completion, which is crucial for maintaining a high-quality participant pool.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the assembly and quality control of project deliverables, such as juror notebooks, presentation binders, and case exhibits for the client and research team.
Contribute to the ongoing refinement of the organization's field operations protocols and recruitment best practices to drive efficiency and quality.
Support senior consultants with preliminary data tabulation from juror questionnaires and qualitative feedback forms.
Participate in post-project debrief meetings to provide feedback on field operations and participant dynamics.
Manage the inventory and maintenance of all field research supplies and portable technical equipment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

MS Office Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data tracking, Word for communications, and PowerPoint for material preparation.
Database Management: Experience using CRM systems or custom databases for managing large sets of contact and demographic information.
Online Survey Tools: Familiarity with platforms like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or similar tools for creating, deploying, and monitoring screening questionnaires.
Project Coordination Software: Competency with tools like Asana, Monday.com, or Trello for tracking project milestones and tasks is a plus.
Basic A/V Troubleshooting: Ability to set up and perform basic troubleshooting on projectors, microphones, speakers, and video recording equipment.
Digital Recruitment: Knowledge of using social media platforms (Facebook Ads), Craigslist, and other online channels for targeted recruitment campaigns.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Organization: The ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects with overlapping timelines, diverse requirements, and numerous moving parts.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: A precise and thorough approach to every task, from proofreading communications to verifying participant data and logistical schedules.
Poise Under Pressure: A calm, adaptable, and solutions-oriented mindset when faced with unexpected challenges, tight deadlines, and high-stakes environments.
Superior Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting professionally and clearly with clients, consultants, vendors, and a diverse public.
Interpersonal Dexterity: The ability to build rapport quickly with people from all walks of life, demonstrating empathy, patience, and professionalism.
Unwavering Discretion: A deep understanding of and commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding sensitive legal information.
Proactive Problem-Solving: An innate ability to anticipate potential issues, take initiative, and develop contingency plans without constant supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree in a relevant field combined with significant professional experience.

Preferred Education:

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

Relevant Fields of Study:

Communications or Marketing
Psychology or Sociology
Legal Studies or Political Science
Hospitality or Event Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of professional experience in a role requiring significant coordination, planning, and external communication.

Preferred: Direct experience in a role such as a paralegal, legal assistant, market research recruiter, or event planner is highly advantageous. A demonstrated track record of managing logistics, communicating with the public, and working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment is paramount.