AI for Winning Courtroom Visuals: Case Study with Michelle Gessner [Ep 170]

My guest today,  Michelle Gessner, joined the podcast back in December of 2024, where we discussed her $21 million verdict against Wells Fargo. Today she's back with the story of a recent verdict success in North Carolina, which suddenly hit an unexpected twist. The case was planned out to make use of high tech video equipment and software, as you would find in a standard, modern equipped court room. But then, it was moved to courtroom that had no technology; in fact, only a single outlet with extension cords. No microphones, no TVs, no projectors. Just old-school visual tools: easels, display boards, pen and notepads, and the projection of your own voice. So how does one pivot, and still incorporate the planned visuals and presentation? AI to the rescue! What was already a useful tool was now needed to address the extra challenge of creating courtroom visuals in a no-technology courtroom. Michelle and I explore how she started by using focus groups to find out weaknesses, then identified what needed to be visual, how to be visual under these unique circumstances, and ultimately AI's creative suggestions. And the focus groups were the key, providing critical demonstratives to bring to life the evidence very early in the case. If you want more trial prep strategies just like this, but in more depth and delivered straight to your inbox, grab my email newsletter that I send out each month: https://www.larricklawfirm.com/newsle... In this episode, we cover: How navigating a no-technology courtroom requires creative thinking. AI is a major asset in effective trial preparation, especially during sudden pivots. Using checklists can streamline witness examination. Objection-proof visuals are key to effective presentations. Remember to check out Episodes 128 & 129, featuring Michelle Gessner and her $21 million dollar verdict against Wells Fargo:    • Guest Interview: Michelle Gessner and Her ...      • How Michelle Gessner Won a $22 Million Dol...   Learn more about my guest Michelle Gessner: https://www.mgessnerlaw.com/ [email protected] Michelle Gessner is one of the few lawyers, if not the only lawyer, in North Carolina who has both Big Law and Big Company defense experience, as well as 10 years of employee-side employment litigation experience, which she has been nearly exclusively handling since 2015.  Michelle possesses a deep understanding of the many challenges employees face dealing with wage theft and other illegal employment practices. Prior to its formation, Michelle gained extensive experience in all legal issues facing the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries by serving as the Chief Litigation and Employment Law Counsel for publicly traded companies such as Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO), Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI), Big Lots Stores, Inc. (BIG) and TriNet (TNET). Michelle also served as the SVP, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer for Ovation Brands, a privately held $1 billion restaurant company. --- Hi! I'm Elizabeth Larrick, trial lawyer turned consultant. I help plaintiff lawyers gather the information they actually need to decide the age-old question: "File, Settle or go to trial?" My mission is to help lawyers reposition their case strategically, effectively, and economically – long before trial dates. I accomplish my mission by using focus groups to provide feedback and answers to the difficult case challenges. With answers, you can feel confident, clarity and certainty about resolving your case, whether that’s by settlement or trial. Together, we’ll employ my proprietary, rare, and exceptional practices that will set you apart from your competition. Collaborating with an outside perspective can assist with locating case weaknesses and blind spots that you naturally miss when you are close to the file. Want to learn more about Elizabeth? Website: https://larricklawfirm.com/ Podcast: Trial Lawyer Prep https://www.elizabethlarrick.com/podcast LinkedIn:   / elizabeth-larrick-942447101   Email: [email protected] I offer a free consultation call to see if working together is a fit. https://calendly.com/elizabethlarrick/ 00:00 Introduction to AI in Courtroom Visuals 02:06 Case Overview: Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment 04:05 Challenges of a No-Technology Courtroom 06:03 Utilizing Focus Groups for Trial Preparation 11:55 Visualizing Evidence: The Role of AI 15:46 Jury Selection and Demographics 18:13 Creative Use of AI in Trial Strategy 22:25 Navigating Objections and Demonstratives 25:41 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode #triallawyerpreppodcast, #ElizabethLarrick, #focusgroups, #trialpreparation #trialstrategy, #trialtactics, #lawfocusgroups, #AIintriallaw, #courtroomvisuals, #juryresearch, #sexualharassmentcase, #hostileworkenvironmentlawsuit, #legaltechnology, #juryselection