The Litigation Psychology Podcast

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  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
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The Litigation Psychology Podcast

The Litigation Psychology Podcast presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) is a podcast for in-house and outside defense counsel and insurance claims personnel about the intersection of science and litigation. We explore topics of interest to the defense bar, with a particular emphasis on subjects that don‘t get enough attention. Our hosts are experts in Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, and scientifically-based jury research with a wealth of knowledge about science, research, human behavior, and decision making, which they apply in the context of civil litigation.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 240 - JFK Assassination Updates

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. is joined by JFK assassination expert, journalist, and author Jefferson Morley to discuss the latest updates on the still unreleased government documents associated with the JFK assassination. Jefferson provides an overview of where things stand currently with release of JFK assassination documents, particularly with regards to the active litigation around these records' release. Bill and Jefferson compare and contrast the JFK assassination to the assassination attempts on President Reagan and President Trump. They also talk about what people may not know or realize about the JFK assassination. Lastly, Bill and Jefferson talk about the state of journalism today. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/dQe

    46 min

  2. NOV 18

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 239 - Career Insights from a Panel of Defense Attorneys

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. is joined by Associate Attorney Jeffrey Oates, Attorney Kristin Petty, and Attorney Jason Preciphs from the law firm of Roberts, Carroll, Feldstein, and Peirce. Bill's guests describe the diverse types of cases their firm works on, how their firm attracts and retains associates, and how they provide growth opportunities for their attorneys while also growing the firm. The group share how they talk to clients about getting early career attorneys in their firm the experience they need to be beneficial to the firm's clients. Bill asks the attorneys what surprised them about civil litigation when they first got involved in it and what advice what they would give to younger attorneys. The group have a discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) in legal, what their firm's philosophy is regarding AI, and how they use AI personally. Bill asks the guests how they talk with their clients about the definition of a win and how to help clients realize the benefits of working up cases earlier, particularly by using focus groups. Lastly, the group talks about how they each protect their mental and physical health and maintain a healthy work/life balance in a highly stressful environment and career. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/LfO

    1 hr

  3. NOV 11

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 238 - The Art and Science of Voir Dire with Unique Questions

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. talks about unique voir dire questions, particularly around damages, to help attorneys improve their jury selection process and to set the stage for openings. Bill gives examples of topics to ask about during voir dire that help to indoctrinate jurors. Some of the topics for questions Bill discusses: social inflation, lawsuit abuse, justice for the defense, commenting on articles/social media, anchoring, and open-ended questions. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/gYg

    29 min

  4. NOV 4

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 237 - No Trust, No Nothing - The First Meeting with a Witness

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. talks about something all attorneys, but particularly early career attorneys, need to keep in mind when preparing witnesses for deposition. Sometimes witnesses come into deposition preparation with some trauma which could be related to the litigation, or from other sources, that may be triggered or further exacerbated by the litigation. It's important for the attorney to build trust with witnesses and not add to this stress in how they interact with and communicate with the witness. Bill explains the concepts of exposure theory and systematic desensitization and how attorneys need to approach witnesses they are preparing. Bill shares ideas for how to handle the initial meeting and conversation with witnesses to gauge their mental state and identify how they are doing emotionally. Let them share what's on their mind. You also need to be constantly assessing how they are doing as they could be fine but then get triggered after you start going into the details of the case. And this assessment needs to happen at each subsequent meeting with the witness. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/y8H

    36 min

  5. OCT 28

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 236 - Preparing for the Storm (i.e., Pre-Litigation Management)

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. talks about the critical importance of preparation for litigation, and particularly early preparation. Bill discusses the risks for the defense by not being prepared and the costs for not being prepared. Bill talks about steps to take before litigation even strikes:1. Education: Identify people who will be involved in litigation and/or likely to get deposed in a future lawsuit and educate them on the litigation process and start to train them as witnesses in advance;  2. Review and edit all documentation: Policies & procedures; training manuals; employee handbooks; websites - the language in these materials often set an idealistic standard that opposing counsel will use against the corporation; review, edit, and update immediately. Communication and enforcement of the policies and procedures is key; 3. Review and revise hiring practices - Revisit your hiring practices to feel confident about your hiring protocols; hire an attorney to review your policies and procedures and hiring practices to identify your vulnerabilities; 4. Create a litigation crisis plan - Develop a plan and communicate it to all the key personnel; be sure everyone understands what to do and what not to do when there is an incident. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/ZrO

    33 min

  6. OCT 21

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 235 - Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Litigation

    Jonathan Wohlwend, Associate Attorney at Bradley, joins Steve Wood, Ph.D. to talk about Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) and the legal implications around NIL. Jonathan provides background on what NIL is and is not, particularly within the context of college athletics, and describes how the process for NIL works for recruiting players. Jonathan defines what a collective is, the changes that have happened over the years around collectives, and their role in NIL deals. Steve and Jonathan also discuss several cases related to NIL. Lastly, Jonathan shares his past background as a JAG Officer and words of wisdom for attorneys who are earlier in the career.

    36 min

  7. OCT 14

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 234 - The Danger With Witnesses Who Guess

    Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. talks about the biggest mistake witnesses make during testimony: guessing. Bill describes why this happens, even in light of clear direction to not guess, and how to address it. Bill talks about the attention/behavior gap which is driven by the brain's native neurocognitive wiring and explains the two categories of reasons why witnesses guess: internal and external reasons.  Internal factors: 1. Witnesses experience shame and guilt for not knowing or not remembering something; 2. Witnesses don't want to hurt the case and/or want to win; 3. Witnesses have a fear of punishment. External factor: Plaintiff counsel. Lastly, Bill covers the four things your witnesses cannot say during testimony: 1. "I think..."; 2. "I believe..."; 3. "I assume..."; 4. "I probably....". Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/UFC

    35 min

  8. OCT 7

    The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 233 - Don't Let Your Witnesses Fight with a Professional Fighter

    Steve Wood, Ph.D. talks about seeing more and more examples of witnesses who are fighting with opposing counsel in their deposition or at trial, motivated by a desire to get their story across. Steve covers several reasons why pivoting like this is a bad idea including: arguing with a professional arguer is foolish; jurors view witnesses who pivot or argue with opposing counsel as less credible; the questioning attorney will call the witness out on this move; most witnesses aren't experienced enough to be selective about when to fight and when not to fight, leading to potential pitfalls. Steve highlights that witnesses need to own bad facts and move on. A fact is a fact. Witnesses and their attorneys need to develop a trust and attorneys should share their strategy on how they plan to get the witness's perspectives across to the jury without the witness having to pivot to get their points out. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/bcz

    20 min
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4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Litigation Psychology Podcast presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) is a podcast for in-house and outside defense counsel and insurance claims personnel about the intersection of science and litigation. We explore topics of interest to the defense bar, with a particular emphasis on subjects that don‘t get enough attention. Our hosts are experts in Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, and scientifically-based jury research with a wealth of knowledge about science, research, human behavior, and decision making, which they apply in the context of civil litigation.

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