In this episode of The Free Lawyer, host Gary Miles interviews Shari Belitz, a litigation consultant and forensic psychologist. Shari shares how she helps civil defense lawyers and insurance professionals use psychological principles to improve trial outcomes. They discuss effective case framing, jury selection, and witness preparation, highlighting common mistakes and practical strategies. Shari explains how storytelling, mock trials, and understanding juror biases can shape verdicts, and offers tips for countering plaintiff tactics like the “reptile theory.” The episode provides actionable insights for lawyers seeking to enhance their trial advocacy through psychology.

Shari Belitz, Esq., is a Nationally Recognized Litigation Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Best Selling Author, Chief Executive Officer of Shari Belitz Communications LLC, Certified by the National Women’s Business Enterprise National Counsel (WBENC). She is also the founder of the educational subscription course, EnPSYCHLAWpedia®.

Shari Belitz Communications, LLC is a litigation consulting company which helps civil defense lawyers and insurance professionals achieve favorable litigation outcomes using psychology. Shari conducts mock trials, prepares witnesses for depositions and trials, writes theme development reports for mediation and trial, and performs jury selection and other customized trial services.

Shari is an attorney with over twenty years of experience in the legal profession. Prior to her litigation consulting career, she was an accomplished insurance coverage attorney at a law firm and litigation manager in-house at an insurance company where she handled complex mass tort lawsuits for Fortune 500 insured clients. During her legal career, Shari studied forensic psychology, including advanced jury science and research at the graduate level.

Intersection of Law and Psychology (00:02:20)

Transition to Litigation Consulting (00:03:35)

Jury Instructions and Psychology (00:04:25)

Corporate Litigation Experience (00:05:55)

Creating Compelling Jury Narratives (00:07:44)

Common Mistakes in Openings and Voir Dire (00:11:36)

Voir Dire Strategies and Juror Types (00:14:22)

Deposition and Witness Preparation (00:17:51)

Managing Jury Bias Against Defendants (00:22:58)

Using Present Tense in Openings (00:26:19)

Insights from Mock Trials (00:27:16)

Overcoming Confirmation Bias (00:28:46)

Psychological Techniques for Witnesses (00:30:16) S

Reptile Theory in Litigation (00:33:22)

Responding to Reptile Tactics (00:36:19)

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