The Jury is Out offers insight, experience and mentorship to trial attorneys who want to better serve their clients and improve their practice. Hosted by John Simon, Member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and Founder of the Simon Law Firm, and St. Louis attorney Erich Vieth, named one of the Top 30 Appellate Attorneys in Missouri in 2021, The Jury is Out focuses on client relations, trial skills and firm management. Nationally recognized guests add depth and vision to the lively and inspiring discussion.
Recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the winningest law firms in America, The Simon Law Firm has obtained more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements in medical malpractice, personal injury and corporate law since the firm’s founding in 2000. The Jury Is Out is a production of The Simon Law Firm.
Attorney and St. Louis University Law Professor Tom Stewart recalls hearing judges say many attorneys have forgotten the basics of advocacy. So he developed one-page trial guides for the “apprentice lawyers” in...
This podcast was founded upon the idea that the best trial attorneys never stop learning. John Simon, Erich Veith, and St. Louis attorney Tom Stewart teach at St. Louis University School of...
Think you know your case so well you don’t need to write down your game plan? Think again. Part Two of our discussion on pretrial prep covers tips on preparing an order...
Preparing for trial can be a nerve-wracking experience for a young attorney. Today’s episode offers tried and true tips on when to request a pretrial conference and what matters to discuss, how...
Your trial team determines you need an expert to explain a vehicle’s structural defects. Do you need a metallurgist, a mechanical engineer, or both? How do you know and where do you...
Don’t assume that an impressive CV from a prestigious university means you’ve found the perfect expert for your case. We think someone with down-to-earth communication skills and real-life experience may be a...
Getting the documents your client requests is the primary reward of Sunshine Law litigation, but can you also be reimbursed for your time? In our final episode on Sunshine Laws, we discuss...
You’ve made a timely request for public governmental records but all you get are excuses. Under the law, you have to prove the delay is knowing and purposeful. How do you prove it...
Do you know when and why a public governmental meeting can close its doors to you? What recourse do you have to find out what they are discussing out of the public...
It’s one thing both sides can agree upon…government transparency is a good thing. But getting access to government information isn’t easy. In Part One of our in-depth discussion on Sunshine Laws, Attorneys...
You know depos and trial testimony will be different experiences, but does your client? Are they expecting something straight out of a legal drama TV series when they take the stand? Today’s...
The best way to increase your odds of winning is to turn down cases you will probably lose. What information should signal whether to lean in or walk away? And if you...
At a crossroads in your career, or just starting out, and wondering if you should choose plaintiff or defense work? Your level of risk aversion and emotional sensitivity may be key indicators...
Did you know nursing homes and nuclear power plants are the two most regulated industries in America? Defense attorney Steve Strum is well versed in this complex practice area, having handled nearly...
Attorney Amy Gunn of the Simon Law Firm hosts two legal podcasts and recently had the opportunity to interview Cris Arguedas, one of the finest criminal defense lawyers in the country. Find out...
Sadly, racially motivated violence is on the rise in America. Simon Law Firm attorney Amy Gunn talked with attorneys Linda Dunikoski and Adam Levine about their trial strategies and their hopes and...
District Attorney of Manhattan Cyrus Vance Jr. views every case through the lens of two basic principles; does it make us safer and is it fair? We’d like to share Simon Law...
You win some, you lose some. But if you lose an important motion, how can you convince the judge to reconsider without risking her wrath? And when should you just let it...
Filing dozens of pretrial motions shows the judge you are well-versed in the law and is sure to impress the court, right? Wrong. You earn credibility with the judge by carefully choosing...
What price should we put on a life lost? Whether it’s a father, mother, or child, jurors need guidance, context, and motivation when deciding damages. John Simon and Tim Cronin offer several...
Significant physical injuries may be visible to the jury, but emotional harms are not. Are you doing everything you can to help the jury understand and compensate your client’s emotional damages? This...
When you ask for damages, you expect jurors to put a tangible number on an intangible loss. How can you help them decide upon a full and fair amount? In our continuing...
Part Two of John Simon and Tim Cronin’s 49 Tips for Closing Arguments examines a range of issues including whether your close should suggest a range for damages vs asking for a...
The Simon Law Firm has earned over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements since the firm’s founding in 2000, so these attorneys obviously know how to close. John Simon and Tim Cronin...
Tune in and turn your next close into a persuasive legal education that helps jurors better understand their role when deciding your case.
Are you creating self-defeating typography by using underlines, caps, and fonts that make your argument less inviting to your reader? Author and attorney Matthew Butterick shares key points from his book Typography for...
If you’re looking for wise words from a respected mentor, this episode is for you. Through 33 years of trial experience and years as a mediator, George Fitzsimmons has distilled his cases...
George Fitzsimmons has tried more than 250 jury cases on both sides and handled more than 500 mediations. His experience spans decades and his wisdom has schooled dozens of prominent attorneys, including...
In Part Two of our unfiltered discussion with legendary plaintiff attorney Tom Keefe, you’ll learn Tom’s strategy to “housebreak” a witness and how to handle a highly-coached expert. You’ll also hear Tom’s most...
Are you blindly following the “rules” of building a case without examining whether or not they are the best strategy for your client or your practice? Renowned plaintiff attorney Tom Keefe shares...
Considering a civil rights practice? Be prepared for clients that are not always truthful and juries that are probably against you before you say your first word. But you can also make huge...
Solo practitioners need to be nimble at technology, marketing, and much more. Attorney Bevis Schock shares his tips for solo practitioners on how to get new clients, ways to keep more productive...
As the trial unfolds, the issue of agency expands into an examination of First Amendment rights. How did Tim and John prepare for this line of attack? We conclude this fascinating in-depth...
Unraveling the responsibilities and liabilities of an international church entity is a sensitive discussion, especially when you have to admit the defendant was not an employee. Diligent research and the discovery of...
Formulating Precedent-setting Arguments. In a complex case involving a multi-tiered church entity and severe injuries to young children from a faith demonstration that went horribly wrong, The Simon Law Firm focused its...
Have you ever been forced to wear a tuxedo to court? Have a client kidnapped and tortured on a roof in China? Or watch your co-counsel perform life-saving treatment on a juror?...
How Persuasion Science can lead to Successful Jury Verdicts. Ever wonder why the facts and conclusions of your case seem so obvious to you, but the jury rules the other way? Perhaps...
Brad Winters started writing down insights, tips, and life tricks when he was a young man and continued making “notes to self” for decades. Now, as a respected attorney and mediator with...
As a mediator for more than 600 civil cases, Brad Winters is an expert on the skill and science of mediation. Surprisingly, his goal is not to settle the case but to...
Authenticity matters in the legal profession
Honesty and authenticity. Competence and trust. Cognitive science provides a research-based road map on how to project these positive points of connection toward judge and jury. Part Two of our conversation with...
Do you structure your case strategy based on the idea that our brains are designed for truth? You might be very wrong. In his book, Lawyers, Judges and Semi-Rational Beasts, Dan Holloway shares...
Strategies for Effective Settlement Negotiations
Are you settling your good cases and trying your bad ones? Is sending a demand letter early in the case effective? And should you work up a case differently if you plan...
Uses of Focus Groups in Litigation Research - A Valuable Tool in Trial Law
Opening Statements are one of the most important components of any trial
A potential client believes their company or institution is defrauding the federal government. What should you know before you take the case? Business litigation attorney Tony Simon offers strategic insight into whistleblower cases...
Depositions play a key role in the litigation process. It is important for attorneys not to underestimate the power of good investigation, preparation and strategy.
15 Tips for a Successful Deposition - Planning, Preparation and Strategy
Deposition Preparation and Planning for Attorneys. Tips to save time, better prepare your deponent, and clarify your argument for the jury.
John G. Simon’s work as Managing Partner at the firm has resulted in hundreds of millions of...
For more than thirty years, Erich Vieth has worked as a trial and appellate attorney in St....
Tim Cronin is a skilled and experienced personal injury trial attorney, including product liability, medical malpractice, premises...
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