Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jury Research Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Jury Research Intern is a vital member of a litigation support and trial consulting team. This role is designed for an intellectually curious individual passionate about understanding human behavior, decision-making, and group dynamics within a legal context. You'll be instrumental in providing the empirical data that underpins modern trial strategy. This position goes beyond traditional legal support by applying social science research methodologies—including mock trials, focus groups, and community attitude surveys—to help trial attorneys understand how jurors are likely to perceive evidence, arguments, and witnesses. It's a hands-on opportunity to see how psychological principles and data-driven insights directly influence the outcomes of high-stakes litigation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate or Graduate programs (Psychology, Sociology, Law, Communications)
Research Assistant positions in academia or market research
Paralegal or Legal Assistant roles with a research focus

Advancement To:

Jury Consultant / Trial Consultant
Litigation Research Analyst
Director of Research

Lateral Moves:

Market Research Analyst
Public Policy and Government Affairs Researcher
User Experience (UX) Researcher

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist in the end-to-end design and execution of pretrial research projects, including mock trials, focus groups, and venue analyses.
Manage the recruitment and screening of mock jurors, ensuring participants accurately reflect the demographic and psychographic profile of the trial venue.
Prepare and organize critical research materials, such as comprehensive case summaries, witness video testimony, key demonstrative exhibits, and juror questionnaires.
Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative data analysis on juror deliberation data, post-deliberation questionnaires, and verdict forms to identify key patterns.
Draft detailed, insightful reports and create compelling presentations that summarize research findings and provide actionable strategic recommendations for the legal team.
Perform in-depth community attitude surveys and venue analysis to gauge public opinion, media influence, and potential biases within the jury pool.
Contribute to the development of sophisticated voir dire questions and Supplemental Juror Questionnaires (SJQs) designed to uncover juror biases.
Monitor and synthesize traditional media coverage and social media conversations related to the case or client to assess public sentiment and potential jury tainting.
Observe and systematically code mock juror deliberations, identifying emergent case themes, group dynamics, juror leadership, and points of confusion.
Create clear and persuasive data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and heat maps, to communicate complex research findings to attorneys.
Conduct comprehensive background research on prospective jurors using public records, social media, and other open-source intelligence databases.
Participate in witness preparation sessions, offering feedback on witness communication style, clarity, and credibility from a lay juror's perspective.
Help test the effectiveness and persuasive power of demonstrative exhibits and trial graphics with mock jurors before they are used in court.
Shadow senior consultants during client strategy meetings, pre-trial hearings, and live courtroom proceedings to gain holistic exposure to the litigation cycle.
Conduct post-trial interviews with actual jurors to gather invaluable feedback on the effectiveness of trial themes, attorney performance, and key evidence.

Secondary Functions

Summarize deposition transcripts and other case documents to pinpoint key themes, witness strengths and weaknesses, and potential "hot button" issues for jurors.
Manage the complex logistics for research projects, including booking facilities, coordinating with vendors, and overseeing technology setup (A/V equipment, online platforms).
Maintain and organize internal databases of past project data, juror profiles, and case outcomes to support future research and consulting efforts.
Conduct social science and legal literature reviews to provide a solid theoretical foundation for case strategy and theme development.
Assist in proofreading and editing all client-facing deliverables, including reports, presentations, and questionnaires, to ensure the highest standards of quality and accuracy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Social Science Research Methods: Strong grounding in quantitative and qualitative research design, including survey construction, experimental design, and data collection protocols.
Statistical Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing data using statistical software such as SPSS or R; advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and charting are essential.
Presentation & Reporting: Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and visually engaging reports and presentations using PowerPoint and Word.
Database Research: Experience using online databases (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw) and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques for background research.
Survey Programming: Familiarity with survey software like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or similar platforms for creating and administering questionnaires.
Legal Familiarity: A foundational understanding of the U.S. legal system, trial procedures, and legal terminology.

Soft Skills

Analytical & Critical Thinking: Exceptional ability to dissect complex problems, identify underlying assumptions, and interpret nuanced data without bias.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough approach to all tasks, from data entry to proofreading client-facing documents, ensuring complete accuracy.
Discretion & Confidentiality: Unwavering integrity and the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential case information with the utmost professionalism.
Written & Verbal Communication: Superior ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including academics, attorneys, and laypeople.
Adaptability & Composure: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and can gracefully manage shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
Collaborative Spirit: A proactive team player who actively listens, contributes constructive ideas, and works effectively with colleagues and clients.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed an advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, or JD).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Sociology, Criminology
Political Science, Communications
Law / Pre-Law
Statistics & Data Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-1 years of relevant experience. This is an entry-level role designed for students or recent graduates.

Preferred:

Previous internship experience in a legal setting, market research firm, or political polling organization.
Experience as a research assistant on a social science research project in an academic or professional capacity.
A demonstrated, passionate interest in the intersection of law and human behavior.