Mock Trial:

Focus Group Services

Willowbend ADR Group provides trial and appeal preparation services in a private courtroom setting. The Willowbend Courtroom boasts a three-judge panel bench, jury box, witness stand, counsel tables, and guest seating in the main space. The Courtroom is also connected to two conference rooms for mock jury and/or focus group deliberations, as well as a separate observation lounge for clients.

Mock trials are custom-tailored to each client’s individual needs. Whether a single mock trial or multiple sessions, Willowbend ADR Group can conduct in-person or online projects to test your case and its key issues, such as jurors’ reactions to key evidence, witnesses, arguments, and themes. Mock jurors are recruited from the trial venue to form deliberation groups for local trial testing or recruited from a pool of similarly situated individuals that match demographically, socioeconomically, and attitudinally to the trial venue. Each juror provides real-time feedback to case presentations to identify which information and arguments jurors perceived as strong or weak.  

After observing the case presentations and receiving relevant jury instructions, the mock jurors deliberate to a verdict in the breakout rooms. Willowbend ADR consultants then conduct moderated post-verdict discussions to elicit further juror feedback on specific issues of interest to the trial team. Clients can monitor the entire process from the comfort of the separate observation lounge and request real-time expansion on issues if necessary. Mock trials can be abbreviated to a half day, run for a full day, or can run for multiple days where mock jurors are asked to return each morning.

The Willowbend ADR legal focus groups are also a valuable tool for attorneys and law firms throughout different stages of litigation. Whether used to test a particular line of questioning for a witness or testimony credibility, crafting case themes, targeting individualized matters such as damage ranges, or on granulated issues in trial preparation, legal focus groups provide an opportunity for refinement and aids qualitative evaluation. The Willowbend Courtroom is equipped to conduct mock trials or legal focus groups in person, online, or in a hybrid format to maximize participation and qualitative depth.

The Willowbend Courtroom is also constructed with an eye towards appellate panel preparation.  The mock bench seats a 3-person panel and the Courtroom is equipped with audio and visual recording capabilities for later review in the honing of appellate arguments and addressing panel questioning. Willowbend ADR Group includes former judges and appellate practice professionals that can perform active roles in the Moot Court if needed or clients can reserve the Courtroom for independent preparation in a professional environment. 

Contact Willowbend ADR Group to schedule your mock trial, moot court, or focus group (in-person, online, or hybrid) and test your strategy, themes, and significant issues in advance of alternative dispute resolution or trial.