- What is a Legal Focus Group?
- In the legal setting, focus groups allow attorneys to explore the attitudes of individuals who are demographically representative of the jury pool where a case will be tried. As any jury consultant will tell you, a focus group (or even a mock jury) cannot predict the outcome of your case. A focus group can however, provide extremely useful information regarding case themes, evidentiary issues, and juror reactions to witnesses and potential “problems” in a case.
- How does it work?
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After getting everyone set up and ready on Zoom, a "moderator" (usually an attorney) will begin a discussion with the group. The moderator might ask you general questions about certain topics to get your thoughts and feelings about them, and later may present the facts of an actual case to you to learn about your views and concerns. This helps lawyers find important things that they may have not considered, and allows them to better understand their case. Sometimes (although not always) you may be asked to give a "verdict" or a decision on certain issues, much in the way a jury hearing a case does. Sometimes you may be asked to state how much (if any) you would award if you heard the case as a juror.
- How does a focus group work "Online"?
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Sometimes, we conduct focus groups in person. But it works well online too! We use the Zoom online meeting platform. A day or so before the Focus Group is set to begin, you will get an online meeting invitation. When the time for the meeting comes, click the meeting link, and you will placed into the meeting with the other Focus Group participants.
Just a couple of rules for Zoom:
1) you cannot record the focus group (although we will) because it's up to us to maintain confidentiality.
2) we need to be able to see you just like if we were in a "live" meeting. So you'll need to make sure your camera on your computer or phone is working. (Computers are preferred; 2 hours is a long time to hold your phone up, although Zoom will work on most smartphones)
3) remember when you're not talking to mute yourself (otherwise, we get a lot of background noise). - How and when will I be paid?
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We can pay you through PayPal, or by check, whichever you prefer.
If you use PayPal, we can pay you immediatey following the conclusion of the Focus Group. If by check, we will have that ready to mail to you the following day at the address you give us. - Why do the Lawyers record the Focus Group?
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We really value the insights that people give us in Focus Groups. Sometimes there are so many insightful things said, that we can't keep track of them while the group is in progress. We like to watch the session later to make sure we're not missing anything. Also, sometimes we use snippets of focus groups in mediations, or when trying to settle the case later.
No part of a focus group would be used on TV, or in any media, without your separate permission (and we have no plan for such use) or in court, because they are not admissible as any kind of evidence.