Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Jury Research Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

A Jury Research Analyst is a specialized professional at the intersection of law, psychology, and data science. At its core, this role involves applying rigorous social science research methods to understand how jurors perceive and process information in a legal context. You're not just a data analyst; you're a story interpreter, translating complex human behaviors, biases, and group dynamics into actionable insights for trial attorneys. The ultimate goal is to help legal teams build more persuasive case narratives, select a fair and impartial jury, and refine their trial strategies to resonate effectively in the courtroom. This position is a critical component of modern litigation support, providing an empirical foundation for strategic decisions that were once based solely on intuition.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate Programs (Ph.D./M.A. in Social Psychology, Sociology, Communication)
Law School Graduate (J.D.) with a strong interest in research
Market Research Analyst or Data Analyst in a related field

Advancement To:

Senior Jury Research Consultant
Director of Jury Research / Litigation Consulting
In-house Trial Strategy Consultant for a major law firm or corporation

Lateral Moves:

Trial Strategy Consultant
Corporate Market Research Manager
Public Policy Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and execute comprehensive pre-trial research projects, including focus groups, mock trials, and large-scale community attitude surveys, to test case themes and arguments.
Develop and script detailed research instruments such as moderator's guides, juror questionnaires, and supplemental surveys that effectively probe for biases and key perceptions.
Moderate small-group discussions (deliberations, focus groups) with a neutral and objective approach to elicit authentic juror reactions and decision-making processes.
Conduct sophisticated quantitative analysis of juror questionnaire data using statistical software (like SPSS or R) to identify significant demographic and attitudinal predictors of verdict orientation.
Perform in-depth qualitative analysis of mock deliberation videos and transcripts to uncover the "why" behind the numbers, identifying which arguments, evidence, and witnesses are most impactful.
Author comprehensive, client-facing reports that synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative findings into a clear, compelling narrative with data-driven strategic recommendations.
Present research findings and strategic recommendations directly to trial teams, including senior partners and corporate clients, in a clear and persuasive manner.
Assist in developing juror profiles and voir dire questions designed to identify and de-select potentially biased or high-risk jurors during the jury selection process.
Analyze the narrative structure of a case to help attorneys craft and refine compelling opening statements, closing arguments, and witness testimony.
Travel to various locations nationwide to manage and execute on-site research projects, ensuring methodological rigor and seamless project logistics.
Evaluate the effectiveness of demonstrative evidence and trial graphics through juror feedback, providing recommendations for improvement.
Conduct venue analysis and change of venue surveys to assess pre-trial publicity impact and potential community bias.
Provide support for witness communication and preparation by using juror feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses in testimony.
Develop and manage project budgets, timelines, and logistics, coordinating with internal teams, external vendors, and clients to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
Stay current on social science literature, legal trends, and public opinion on topics relevant to clients' cases.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer emergent questions from the trial team as the case evolves.
Contribute to the development of new research methodologies and proprietary analytical tools to enhance the firm's consulting services.
Collaborate with graphic designers and other litigation support professionals to ensure visual aids align with research-backed communication strategies.
Participate in business development activities, such as drafting proposals, preparing pitch materials, and contributing to thought leadership articles or presentations.
Mentor junior analysts or research assistants, providing guidance on research design, data analysis, and report writing.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Quantitative Data Analysis: Advanced proficiency in statistical software, primarily SPSS, with knowledge of R or Stata being a strong plus. Expertise in running descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses is essential.
Qualitative Data Analysis: Deep experience in analyzing qualitative data from focus groups and interviews, including thematic analysis and content analysis.
Survey Design & Programming: Skill in designing methodologically sound questionnaires and proficiency with survey platforms like Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey.
Research Design: Comprehensive understanding of experimental and quasi-experimental design principles to ensure the validity and reliability of research studies.
Legal Knowledge: A solid foundational understanding of the trial process, rules of evidence, and legal terminology is crucial for effective collaboration with attorneys.

Soft Skills

Analytical & Critical Thinking: The ability to dissect complex legal arguments and vast datasets to identify subtle patterns, logical flaws, and underlying juror motivations.
Exceptional Communication & Presentation: Elite ability to translate dense statistical output and qualitative themes into clear, concise, and persuasive narratives for a non-technical audience (i.e., lawyers and their clients).
Storytelling: Moving beyond data points to craft a compelling story about the case, the jurors, and the path to a successful outcome.
Objectivity & Neutrality: The discipline to set aside personal biases and serve as a neutral facilitator and analyst, providing unvarnished, data-driven feedback.
Grace Under Pressure: Thriving in a high-stakes, deadline-driven environment where case strategy can change rapidly.
Interpersonal Acuity: The ability to "read a room," whether it's a mock jury deliberation or a client meeting, and adapt your approach accordingly.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's degree in a social science field with a strong research and statistical focus.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Sociology, or Communication.
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) combined with a strong empirical research background is also highly valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Psychology (Social, Cognitive)
Sociology
Political Science
Communication
Law (J.D.)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5+ years of direct experience in jury research, litigation consulting, or a closely related applied research field (e.g., political polling, high-stakes market research).

Preferred:

Experience that includes hands-on involvement in all stages of the research process, from initial design and data collection (including moderating) to advanced statistical analysis and client-facing presentations. Direct experience working with trial lawyers on active litigation is highly preferred.