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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Jury Researcher Assistant

💰 $ - $

Legal ServicesResearchConsultingLitigation Support

🎯 Role Definition

A Jury Researcher Assistant is a vital member of a litigation consulting team, serving at the crossroads of legal strategy, psychology, and data analysis. This role provides essential support in the design, execution, and analysis of pre-trial research projects, such as mock trials and focus groups. The primary objective is to help trial attorneys understand how potential jurors are likely to perceive case facts, witnesses, and arguments. By gathering and analyzing data on juror attitudes and biases, the Assistant helps unearth critical insights that inform voir dire strategy, theme development, and overall case presentation, ultimately providing the legal team with a significant strategic advantage in high-stakes litigation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal / Legal Assistant
  • Psychology or Sociology Research Assistant
  • Law Clerk or recent Law School Graduate
  • Market Research Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Jury Consultant / Trial Consultant
  • Senior Research Analyst
  • Project Director (Litigation Research)
  • Director of Litigation Support

Lateral Moves:

  • Focus Group Moderator
  • Public Opinion Analyst
  • Corporate Market Researcher
  • Communications Strategist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the comprehensive design and execution of various pre-trial research methodologies, including mock trials, surrogate jury focus groups, and community attitude surveys to gauge case themes and potential biases.
  • Conduct extensive demographic and psychographic research to develop precise juror profiles that align with the strategic objectives of the case and guide participant recruitment.
  • Manage the end-to-end logistics for research events, including venue booking, audiovisual equipment setup, catering arrangements, and participant travel coordination.
  • Recruit, screen, and schedule mock jurors and focus group participants according to specific demographic quotas and project requirements, ensuring a representative sample is achieved.
  • Prepare and organize all research materials, such as confidential case summaries, verdict forms, detailed questionnaires, and demonstrative evidence, ensuring accuracy and readiness for presentation.
  • Facilitate the smooth operation of research sessions by managing participant check-in, distributing materials, and troubleshooting any technical or logistical issues that arise on-site.
  • Take meticulous, verbatim notes during focus group discussions and mock jury deliberations, capturing key arguments, juror reactions, emotional responses, and emergent themes with high accuracy.
  • Administer and collect both quantitative and qualitative data from participants through detailed questionnaires, surveys, and post-deliberation feedback forms.
  • Perform initial data entry, cleaning, and coding of survey responses and deliberation data, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the dataset for subsequent analysis by senior consultants.
  • Assist senior consultants with the qualitative analysis of deliberation transcripts and open-ended survey responses to identify critical patterns, juror archetypes, and actionable insights.
  • Create clear and effective data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and tables, to communicate quantitative findings from juror questionnaires and demographic data.
  • Contribute to the drafting of comprehensive research reports and client-facing presentations that summarize key findings, strategic recommendations, and juror profiles.
  • Conduct thorough background research on potential jurors during the voir dire process using public records, social media platforms, and other online databases while adhering to ethical guidelines.
  • Help develop and refine Supplemental Juror Questionnaires (SJQs) designed to elicit critical information about potential jurors' attitudes, beliefs, and life experiences relevant to the case.
  • Assist in the observation of live or video-recorded depositions to analyze witness testimony and communication effectiveness, providing structured feedback for witness preparation sessions.
  • Maintain and update internal databases of case information, historical juror data, and research findings for future reference, trend analysis, and knowledge management.
  • Coordinate with external vendors, including professional recruiting agencies, court reporting services, and videographers, to ensure seamless project execution and quality control.
  • Prepare detailed summaries and analyses of post-trial interviews with actual jurors to gather candid feedback on trial strategy, evidence presentation, and attorney performance.
  • Monitor traditional media coverage and online social media discussions related to high-profile cases to assess the impact of pre-trial publicity on potential jury pools in specific venues.
  • Support the development of compelling trial graphics and demonstrative aids by providing feedback on clarity, persuasiveness, and comprehension based on mock juror reactions.
  • Manage project-related administrative tasks, including processing participant payments, tracking project expenses against a budget, and preparing materials for shipment to research locations.
  • Provide general logistical and research support to the trial consulting team, including scheduling meetings, preparing binders, and handling confidential client correspondence.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc research requests and exploratory data analysis to assist with early-stage case development and strategy.
  • Contribute to the firm's internal knowledge base by summarizing case outcomes and new research methodologies.
  • Collaborate with legal teams to help translate broad trial strategy questions into focused, actionable research objectives.
  • Participate in internal training and professional development sessions to stay current with industry best practices and emerging research technologies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Data Management: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data entry, cleaning, sorting, and creating pivot tables.
  • Statistical Software: Foundational knowledge of statistical packages like SPSS or R for running descriptive statistics and basic quantitative analysis.
  • Survey Platforms: Experience creating and managing surveys using online tools such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey.
  • Presentation Software: Strong skills in Microsoft PowerPoint for creating client-facing reports, charts, and presentations.
  • Legal Research Databases: Familiarity with using public records and legal research tools like LexisNexis, Westlaw, or similar databases for juror background checks.
  • Word Processing: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word for report drafting, formatting, and transcription.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, with the ability to manage complex logistics and handle sensitive data without error.
  • Analytical & Critical Thinking: Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to identify underlying patterns, themes, and logical inconsistencies.
  • Discretion and Confidentiality: Unwavering ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential case information with the utmost professionalism.
  • Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear note-taking, report contribution, and professional interaction with clients and participants.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and resourceful, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage changing priorities, and handle unexpected challenges during live research.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build rapport and interact professionally and courteously with research participants from diverse backgrounds.
  • Poise Under Pressure: A calm and focused demeanor, especially during high-pressure live research events and tight deadlines.
  • Proactive & Resourceful: A self-starter attitude with the ability to anticipate needs and solve problems independently.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree, Ph.D., or J.D. (Juris Doctor)

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years in a relevant research, legal, or administrative support role.

Preferred:

  • Prior internship or work experience in a trial consulting firm, a law firm's litigation department, or a social science academic research lab is highly desirable. Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods is a significant asset.
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