IMS Consulting & Expert Services is proud to sponsor The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Mid-Year Meeting. The meeting will be held in person on February 19–24, 2022 at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, AZ. Virtual events will be offered from March 2–4, 2022.
On Tuesday, February 22 (8:45 am–10:15 am MT), IMS Senior Jury Consultant Aref Jabbour will present on the panel Are we Still the Good Guys?: A Discussion of How to Combat a Jury's Desire to Award Punitive Damages.
This session will explore jurors' perception of the legal profession and how it has evolved over the decades. Perry Mason wore the white hat and never lost a case. L.A. Law single-handedly created the largest law school enrollment boom in the nation’s history. However, the days of idealized practices and glowing perceptions may be long-gone. Modern-day television contains an overwhelmingly negative depiction of the practice of law, as well as corporate defendants, and recent world events have only strengthened and engrained jurors’ preconceived opinions—impacting the way jurors interpret evidence and deliberate.
The differences of opinion are more pronounced and more problematic for defendants facing punitive damages claims. In fact, as the portrayal of attorneys and large corporations has continued to become more negative over time, punitive damages awards have been increasing. This presentation will first review the various factors affecting juror perceptions and then discuss the potential correlation with higher punitive damage awards, as well as tips for how trial lawyers can effectively cater to the jury and minimize punitive damages.
The IADC was founded with the purpose of fostering goodwill and cooperation among general counsel who shared common interests and challenges. Today, the association has nearly 2,500 members and has founded the Defense Research Institute (DRI) and Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ).