Strategies for Witness Preparation

Equip your team with proven strategies to strengthen witness credibility and build trust with decision-makers.

Presentation Details

Effective witness testimony goes beyond conveying facts—it requires composure, credibility, and connection with the jury. Jurors assess not only what is said, but how it is delivered, making witness demeanor a critical factor in trial outcomes.

This CLE session, led by a senior jury consulting advisor, offers practical strategies for strengthening witness presence, refining delivery, and eliminating subtle behaviors that may erode trust. Drawing on insights from thousands of mock trials and juror interviews, the program equips attorneys to prepare witnesses who inspire confidence and withstand scrutiny.

What You Will Learn

How jurors assess witness credibility beyond the content of testimony
Techniques for coaching witnesses to maintain composure under pressure
Common nonverbal cues that can undermine trust—and how to correct them
Practical strategies for refining delivery to enhance juror engagement

Offered weekdays: in-person, virtual, or hybrid

CLE available for all US states: 1.0 credits

Speakers

Merrie Jo Pitera, PhD

Senior Jury Consulting & Strategy Advisor

Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera is a psychology and communication expert with more than 30 years of experience in complex litigation and trial consulting.

As a perceptive listener and observer of jury dynamics and sentiments, Dr. Pitera provides clear insights into how they are likely to impact the decision-makers in a case. She also specializes in preparing witnesses for deposition, trials, arbitration, and other hearings.
Melissa Gomez, PhD

Senior Jury Consulting Advisor

Dr. Melissa Gomez has worked on 1,000+ jury trials across the US, focusing on the psychology of learning, behavior, and decision-making. She has three decades of expertise in research design and methodology, as well as behavioral and communication skills training.

Dr. Gomez assists counsel in targeting discovery efforts and developing a case strategy with the goal of favorable resolution.
Keith C. Pounds, PhD

Jury Consulting Advisor

With nearly 20 years of litigation consulting experience, Dr. Keith Pounds is adept at helping trial teams identify and develop compelling case themes and presentation strategies.

He also specializes in providing quantitative and qualitative analysis through focus groups and mock trials, in addition to assisting clients with witness preparation, voir dire, and jury selection.
Theodore O. Prosise, PhD

Senior Jury Consulting Advisor

Dr. Theodore (Ted) Prosise has 20+ years of experience working with trial teams in hundreds of venues nationwide. He has prepared 1,000+ witnesses for deposition and trial, conducted 250+ mock trials and focus groups, and selected 200+ juries.

His current focus areas are trial strategy and theme development, and witness preparation—particularly for medical professionals and foreign witnesses in the US.
Chris Dominic

Senior Jury Consulting Advisor

For more than two decades, Chris Dominic has counseled clients on cases ranging from everyday casework and ADR to some of the nation’s most high-profile, high-stakes trials and multidistrict litigation.

While his experience is broad, Chris specializes in strategy and speechmaking. He worked for Fortune 500 companies as a management consultant and served as president at Tsongas Litigation Consulting before the firm joined IMS.
Laura Dominic

Senior Jury Consulting Advisor

Laura Dominic has some of the broadest and deepest jury consulting experience in the nation. She can often be found steadfastly preparing witnesses for a deposition, running a mock trial or focus group, providing feedback for an opening statement, or assisting in the selection of a jury on a high-profile case.

In addition to consulting with trial teams, Laura frequently speaks at legal industry events and CLE seminars.