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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jury Intern

💰 $ - $

LegalInternshipGovernmentLitigation

🎯 Role Definition

As a Jury Intern, you will be an integral member of our litigation and trial team, providing critical support in all stages of the trial process with a specialized focus on jury-related matters. This is not a typical legal internship; you will dive deep into the strategic aspects of jury research, selection, and analysis. You will work side-by-side with experienced trial attorneys and jury consultants, gaining unparalleled exposure to high-stakes litigation. This role is designed for a highly motivated, analytical, and detail-oriented individual eager to understand the human dynamics that shape trial outcomes. You will contribute directly to case strategy by helping our team understand and connect with the jury pool, making this an exceptional opportunity for anyone passionate about trial advocacy and the psychology of legal decision-making.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • First-year or Second-year Law Student (1L, 2L)
  • Paralegal Studies Student with an interest in litigation
  • Undergraduate Student in Pre-Law, Political Science, or Psychology programs

Advancement To:

  • Trial Attorney / Litigator
  • Professional Jury Consultant
  • Litigation Paralegal
  • E-Discovery Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Legal Analyst
  • Policy Advisor for Judicial Committees

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist trial attorneys in preparing for and executing the jury selection process (voir dire), including drafting strategic voir dire questions and juror questionnaires.
  • Conduct comprehensive, ethically-sound background research on potential jurors using public records, social media, and other available sources to identify potential biases or relevant life experiences.
  • Develop and maintain detailed profiles for each potential juror, summarizing key information and providing initial assessments to the trial team.
  • Observe and analyze juror behavior and group dynamics in the courtroom during voir dire and the trial itself, providing real-time feedback to attorneys.
  • Help organize and conduct mock trials and focus groups, including recruiting participants, preparing case summaries, and facilitating post-deliberation discussions.
  • Analyze data and feedback from mock juries and focus groups to identify key case themes, strengths, weaknesses, and a profile of the ideal/non-ideal juror.
  • Prepare post-verdict interviews with actual jurors (where permissible) to gather insights for future trial strategies and case preparation.
  • Monitor jury-related legal developments and research case law pertaining to challenges for cause, Batson challenges, and other jury selection issues.
  • Draft memoranda and reports summarizing jury research findings, mock trial results, and strategic recommendations for the lead attorneys.
  • Create and manage complex spreadsheets and databases to track juror information, responses to questioning, and the use of peremptory strikes and for-cause challenges.
  • Assist in the development of compelling trial graphics, demonstrative aids, and presentations designed to be persuasive and understandable to a lay jury.
  • Observe pre-trial hearings, witness preparations, and strategy meetings to gain a holistic understanding of the litigation lifecycle and how jury strategy fits within it.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive case information and juror personal data.
  • Organize and shadow community and venue attitude surveys to gauge public opinion and potential biases in the jurisdiction where the trial will be held.
  • Help prepare and refine opening statements and closing arguments to ensure they resonate effectively with the demographic and psychographic profile of the selected jury.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to case trends and jury demographics.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap for jury research and trial analytics.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for case management systems.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team if assigned to technology-focused projects.
  • Provide general litigation support, including document review, citation checking, and the preparation of trial binders.
  • Perform legal and factual research on substantive case issues using databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Pacer.
  • Assist in drafting and preparing various legal documents, such as motions, discovery requests, and witness outlines under attorney supervision.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Legal Research: Proficiency in using legal research platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and PACER to find relevant case law and statutes.
  • Data Analysis: Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data from mock trials, surveys, and juror profiles to identify trends and actionable insights.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Excel for data tracking, PowerPoint for presentation building, and Word for report drafting.
  • Case Management Software: Familiarity with litigation support and case management software (e.g., Relativity, Clio, CaseMap).
  • Public Records Research: Skill in navigating online public records databases, social media platforms, and search engines for juror research.

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze complex information, identify potential biases, and draw logical conclusions.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in recording juror information, tracking challenges, and preparing reports is absolutely essential.
  • Communication (Written & Verbal): Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, both in written memoranda and verbal briefings to the trial team.
  • Discretion & Professionalism: Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct when handling highly sensitive information.
  • Interpersonal Skills & Observation: Keen ability to observe and interpret non-verbal cues, social dynamics, and human behavior in a group setting.
  • Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure trial environment and can quickly pivot between different tasks and priorities.
  • Resourcefulness: A proactive and creative problem-solver who can independently find information and solutions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school (1L or 2L) or a graduate/undergraduate program with a focus on law, psychology, or sociology.

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of the second year (2L) at an ABA-accredited law school.
  • Coursework or participation in a mock trial or trial advocacy program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Law (J.D. Program)
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Psychology / Sociology
  • Criminal Justice / Criminology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 - 2 years. This is an entry-level internship position.

Preferred:

  • Prior internship experience in a law firm, prosecutor's office, public defender's office, or judicial chambers.
  • Demonstrated interest in litigation or trial advocacy through coursework, clinics, or extracurricular activities.
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