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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jury Analyst

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

LegalResearchData AnalysisConsulting

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly analytical and insightful Jury Analyst to join our dynamic litigation support team. In this pivotal role, you will be at the intersection of psychology, data science, and legal strategy. You will be responsible for conducting sophisticated research and analysis to provide our trial attorneys with a decisive edge in understanding juror behavior, shaping case themes, and executing effective jury selection strategies. The ideal candidate is a meticulous researcher with a passion for uncovering the human elements that drive decisions in high-stakes legal settings. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply social science principles to real-world challenges and directly influence the outcomes of complex litigation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal with a research focus
  • Social Science Research Assistant (Psychology, Sociology)
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Recent graduate with a relevant advanced degree (MA, Ph.D., J.D.)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jury Consultant / Trial Strategist
  • Director of Jury Research
  • Managing Consultant
  • Partner in a Litigation Consulting Firm

Lateral Moves:

  • Litigation Support Manager
  • Corporate Investigator / In-house Counsel Support
  • Market Research Director
  • Political Campaign Strategist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design and execute comprehensive pre-trial research projects, including mock trials, deliberation groups, and focus groups to test case themes, evidence, and attorney arguments.
  • Develop sophisticated research instruments, including moderator guides, juror questionnaires (SJQs), and post-deliberation survey tools to capture critical attitudinal and demographic data.
  • Conduct in-depth statistical and qualitative analysis of mock juror data to identify key drivers of verdict preferences, damage awards, and juror perceptions.
  • Perform detailed demographic, psychographic, and attitudinal analysis of jury pools and venire panels to develop data-driven ideal and high-risk juror profiles.
  • Author clear, compelling, and actionable reports and presentations that summarize complex research findings and provide strategic recommendations for trial teams and clients.
  • Collaborate directly with trial attorneys to develop and refine persuasive case narratives, opening statements, and closing arguments based on empirical research findings.
  • Formulate and draft strategic voir dire questions and questionnaires designed to efficiently and effectively uncover potential juror biases, prejudices, and life experiences.
  • Provide real-time, on-site support and strategic advice to attorneys during the jury selection (voir dire) process, including tracking cause challenges and peremptory strikes.
  • Conduct extensive, ethically-compliant background research on potential jurors using public records, social media, and other online sources to supplement in-court observations.
  • Monitor and analyze traditional and social media coverage related to a case or its key players to anticipate and mitigate the effects of pre-trial publicity on the jury pool.
  • Assist in the preparation of key witnesses for deposition and trial testimony by providing constructive feedback based on mock juror reactions and communication science.
  • Create and manage large-scale databases of juror attitude, demographic, and verdict data across various venues to identify jurisdictional trends and patterns.
  • Conduct confidential post-trial interviews with actual jurors to deconstruct their decision-making processes and gather critical insights for future litigation strategy.
  • Manage and analyze data from shadow juries, providing daily reports and strategic recommendations to the trial team to allow for real-time adjustments during trial.
  • Evaluate and deconstruct complex legal concepts, expert testimony, and financial data to translate them into testable themes that are understandable to a lay audience.
  • Oversee all project logistics for research engagements, including recruiting qualified participants, managing facility relationships, and preparing all necessary research materials.
  • Stay current with the latest academic research and industry trends in jury decision-making, social psychology, communication theory, and legal precedent.
  • Design and analyze community attitude surveys to assess case-specific biases, evaluate public opinion, and inform recommendations on motions for a change of venue.
  • Develop compelling data visualizations, including charts, heat maps, and graphics, to effectively communicate complex statistical findings to non-technical audiences like attorneys and clients.
  • Participate actively in client meetings, strategic work sessions, and trial team brainstorming, offering a unique, data-informed perspective on case strategy.
  • Collaborate with trial graphics consultants and presentation specialists to ensure demonstrative aids are persuasive, memorable, and easily understood by jurors.
  • Uphold the highest standards of data integrity, project confidentiality, and ethical conduct in all research and client interactions.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for case development.
  • Contribute to the organization's internal knowledge base and data strategy roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
  • Assist in drafting articles, white papers, and marketing materials on jury research and trial strategy.
  • Participate in business development efforts, including preparing proposals and capabilities presentations for potential clients.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Statistical Analysis Software: Advanced proficiency in statistical packages such as SPSS, R, or Stata for running analyses like regression, factor analysis, and ANOVA.
  • Survey Design & Methodology: Deep understanding of research methodology, survey construction, and sampling techniques.
  • Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis: Expertise in analyzing both structured (e.g., ratings) and unstructured (e.g., open-ended responses, deliberation transcripts) data.
  • Database Management: Competency in managing and querying databases (e.g., using SQL) to organize juror and case data.
  • Advanced Microsoft Office: Expert-level skills in PowerPoint for creating client-facing presentations and Excel for data manipulation and charting.
  • Online Research Tools: Proficiency with legal and public records databases (LexisNexis, Westlaw) and social media intelligence platforms.
  • Data Visualization: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI is a strong plus for creating interactive dashboards and reports.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication: Ability to distill complex statistical concepts into clear, persuasive, and actionable advice for legal professionals.
  • Advanced Critical Thinking: Superior ability to analyze problems, identify core issues, and develop creative, data-driven solutions under pressure.
  • High Level of Discretion and Confidentiality: Unquestionable integrity and judgment when handling highly sensitive and confidential case information.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A sharp eye for detail in data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure accuracy and reliability.
  • Objectivity and Analytical Neutrality: The ability to approach data and juror behavior without bias to provide unvarnished, honest counsel.
  • Interpersonal Skills & Empathy: Skill in building rapport with clients, research participants, and team members; ability to understand issues from multiple perspectives.
  • Poise Under Pressure: Proven ability to perform effectively and maintain a calm demeanor in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with tight deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

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

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Psychology (Social, Cognitive)
  • Sociology
  • Communications
  • Political Science
  • Law
  • Statistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years in a relevant research, analytics, or legal support role.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience working directly for a trial consulting or litigation support firm.
  • Demonstrable experience in a market research company, academic research lab, or political polling organization.
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