Do you wonder how jurors perceive you, as an attorney?  Since attorneys are the number one demonstrative in the courtroom, managing juror perceptions of you is key.  

Jurors typically experience attorneys very differently than attorneys experience themselves.  These perceptions generally coalesce around a finite number of behavior patterns.  Juror perceptions differ between male and female attorneys.  Does it matter?  Yes.

At this program, Amy will present research on the latest trends in how jurors arrive at perceptions of attorneys based on language, movement, demeanor, mindsets, and appearance.  She will share her research on which behavior patterns are most likely to be well-received by jurors and ways to shape your own style.  And, Tara will assist in bringing practical applications of this research to depositions, focus groups and the courtroom. Bring an open mind and a desire to be self-reflective.

Agenda

9:00 am - 9:10 am 
Introductions & Welcome

9:10 am - 10:15 am
Juror Archetypes of Attorneys

10:15 am - 10:45 am
How To Identify How Jurors Perceive You

10:45 am - 11:15 am
How to be Your Most Effective Self

11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Effects of Current Events on Juror Decisions Making and Perceptions of Attorneys in the Courtroom

Amy E. Pardieck is a leading authority on verbal and nonverbal communication in the courtroom.  She is a popular speaker, writer and trial consultant whose clients include a nationwide selection of trial attorneys.  She has consulted on a variety of cases involving complex commercial litigation including professional negligence, contract disputes, environmental litigation, insurance coverage, and premises liability; personal injury including negligence, products liability, medical malpractice, toxic tort cases; and civil rights litigation.  Amy has worked on cases against Ford Motor Company, Dow Chemical Company, Bridgestone Firestone Inc., Werner Enterprises Inc., Texas Eastern Pipeline Company, PacificCare Life and Health Insurance Company, Interstate Brands, Kansas City Power & Light, and Rush Trucking, to name a few.

Amy specializes in a customized and focused approach to trial consulting.  With over twenty years of experience with jurors, focus group jurors, mock jurors and post-verdict juror interviews, she has the unique ability to combine hands-on knowledge with case challenges to build compelling legal stories.  She tailors trial consulting services to meet case specific goals and challenges within defined time frames, budget limitations and skill sets.

Her technical specialties include legal consulting and communication training through: focus group and mock trial research, story development and delivery, opening statement/closing argument assistance, voir dire and jury selection strategies, as well as witness evaluation and preparation.  Each is driven by case themes, frames, story lines and characters, sequencing, case specific vocabulary and visual support.

Prior to trial consulting, Amy treated patients in the mental health field as a certified systemic psychotherapist.  Experience in the courtroom shows that jurors are more concerned with relationships and credibility than legalities.  Amy puts her therapy background with individuals, families and groups to effective use in helping attorneys develop parts of their case that really matter to today’s legal decision makers.

Amy holds a B.A. in Psychology from Indiana University and advanced degrees in Systemic Psychotherapy from the Systemische Initiative Salzburg and the University of Vienna in Austria.  Amy is a certified trainer in NeuroLinguistic Programming and has additional training in Other-Than-Conscious Communication and No Fault Psychology.
 

Tara M. Worthley is actively involved in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), serving on its Executive Committee since May 2019, its Board of Directors since March 2010 and as chair of its Amicus Committee since May 2015.  Tara was also nominated to the ITLA College of Fellows in November 2019

She has been named a Super Lawyer by Indiana Super Lawyer’s Magazine from 2018-2021. From 2012 through 2017, Tara was named as a Rising StarsSM by Indiana Super Lawyers® Magazine.  In 2020, Tara was named as a finalist in the category “Influential Woman in Law” for the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association.

In 2010, Tara received the “Max Goodwin Young Lawyer of the Year Award,” the highest honor that can be given to a young lawyer by the ITLA for her dedication to protecting the rights of injured people, her devotion to community and helping to advance Indiana Law in a positive direction for Indiana residents. In 2011, Tara was named as one of Indiana Lawyer’s “Up and Coming Lawyers” Tara was also a graduate of the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Series Class of XII, 2014 – 2015.

Tara is also involved in the local community, serving as the Treasurer for the Heavilin Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization for 2019-2021 and will serve as the President for 2021-2023. Tara is a member of the American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association, the Porter County Bar Association.

When not working, Tara enjoys spending time with her two young children and husband, volunteer work, travel, golf, and home improvement projects.

ISTA Conference Room
150 W. Market Street, Suite 210
Indianapolis, IN

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Online via Zoom facilitated by