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(1) The two major obstacles facing litigators in the courtroom, and the court of public opinion
(2) I help litigators to overcome these obstacles, through my combination of multimedia design, research and analytical skills
(3) The primary values I bring to legal clients
(4) Partial client list
(5) My litigation media portfolio
(1) The two major obstacles facing litigators in the courtroom, and “the court of public opinion”
The need for quality litigation media tools has never been as acute as it is today, due primarily to two reasons:
- The low functional and civic literacy of the average American juror
- The “CSI Effect”
The low functional and civic literacy of the average American juror
Despite all the freedoms and technological advancements Americans enjoy, we live in an age in which even the most “educated” among us often struggle with functional literacy tasks, and are either unfamiliar with — or harbor gross misconceptions about — our Constitution and other basic civic matters. According to surveys taken over the last twenty years:
- Roughly half of American adults can only read at the 8th-grade level. 25% cannot read above the 4th-grade level (functional illiteracy).
- Half the students at 4-year colleges, and 75% at community colleges, cannot perform complex but common literacy tasks, such as understanding the basic arguments in a newspaper editorial, or comparing the cost-per-ounce of food
- Less than 30% of American adults can pass a test of basic U.S. history and civics
- Less than 50% of American adults understand the basic purpose of the Constitution, or can identify even one of their rights under it
- 71% of American adults are unaware that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land; 85% cannot define “the rule of law”
- Our educational system is failing minority students to an even greater degree: 90% of black students in California lack proficiency in mathematics, and had an average math score that was 41 points lower than that for white students. And despite the fact that roughly 85-90% of black and Hispanic teens are not proficient in math, 80% of black students and 82% of Hispanic students, are able to “graduate” from our public high schools
Clearly, the days of being able to hand the average juror a thick 3-ring binder, stuffed with complex data or “legal-ese,” and expect him/her to have the patience and skill to read it — and the ability to comprehend it — are long over.
The “CSI Effect”
Most people today prefer to receive information from visual sources, as opposed to from written or oral alternatives:55% of Americans say their “best understanding of the news comes from seeing pictures or video.”
With the advent of social media, our attention spans have shortened, considerably: According to Microsoft research, the average adult’s attention span dropped from 12 seconds in 2000, to 8 seconds in 2015.
These facts have produced still another hurdle for today’s litigator, loosely referred to as the “CSI Effect.” Jurors increasingly expect to see high-end graphical depictions of data and allegations, such as those that are shown on “procedural” TV shows, such as the “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” series, as well as “House, MD,” whenever complex facts are being alleged, or disputed.
(2) I help litigators to overcome these obstacles, through my combination of visualization design, copy & script writing, and research & analytical skills
Since 2000, law firms in Virginia and beyond have retained me to consult on, design and produce key elements of their courtroom presentations. And as is described in my Litigation Media Portfolio, many of my legal clients rave about my performance, and the results that my work has yielded. Excerpts:
- “We cannot be happier with the quality of the animations you produced for us. (They will) help tremendously in this national litigation and I expect juries will relate well, regardless of their geographic location.”
– Samuel L. Tarry, Jr., McGuire Woods
- “…(I)n a startling courtroom admission, Ford’s own expert acknowledged (the) accuracy and effectiveness (of your analytical graphics). This is a tribute to your quick grasp of the specifications and your tireless work in getting the job done.”
– Edgar F. Heiskell III, Michie Hamlett (right)
- “Jon was able to comprehend a difficult fact pattern and illustrate the scenario in a method that was both easy to follow and efficient. His input and work product made all the difference in settlement negotiations.”
– Eric Yost, Marks & Harrison
See more testimonials at:
Jon Sutz – Raves from legal clients
Of all the comments my legal clients have made about my performance, the one I value the most – and which I’ve heard more than once – is, “Thank goodness you’re on our side!” Those who have enlisted me as a consultant on just causes quickly discover my bulldog determination, relentless inquisitiveness and various creative skills, and how potent a weapon I can be when these assets are all focused on one objective: victory.
(3) The primary values I bring to legal clients
- My ability to convert complex data into compelling 2D and 3D graphics and visualizations that the layperson can understand and retain.
- My ability to act as a prospective juror, report on weak aspects of presentations, and make recommendations for improvement.
- My ability to conduct investigative research (details upon request to qualified parties).
- My years of non-legal creative media experience in designing, writing and producing corporate communications, advertising and training solutions help me to create persuasive courtroom presentations.
Learn about the specific services I provide to law firms here.
(4) Partial client list
- McGuire Woods, Richmond, VA (world headquarters)
- Marks & Harrison, Richmond & Charlottesville, VA
- Michie Hamlett Lowry Rasmussen & Tweel, Charlottesville, VA
- Chandler Law Group, Charlottesville, VA
- Yale Properties, International, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Charlottesville, VA
- Martin & Raynor, Charlottesville, VA
- Ritchie Law Firm, Charlottesville & Harrisonburg, VA
(5) My litigation media portfolio
Jon Sutz – Litigation Media Portfolio
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