Lloyd Bell delivers closing arguments in trial of Shawn Evans' claim that ER staff failed to appropriately care for his wife Janice Evans, leading to strokes that left her permanently disabled. 

Update: 3/1/16 

Decatur, Ga—Jurors Monday awarded $1.2 million to a Georgia couple for the strokes that left a woman permanently disabled, but found the woman 49% responsible and cleared the doctor who treated her of liability. Evans v. Sutton, et al, 13A48465-4.

St. Petersburg, FL— Sweeping privacy rights questions take the forefront as CVN-webcast jury selection begins March 2 in Hulk Hogan’s $100 million suit against Gawker Media for its publication of a sex video featuring the pro wrestler. Terry Bollea v. Gawker Media LLC, 12-012447-CI.

Jury consultants have been a staple of litigation prep and courtrooms for decades. Regardless of your case or jurisdiction, you can now select from scores of specialists in every shade of psychology and the law who promise to help you choose the best possible jury for your trial. You can study articles on topics as narrow as how to flush out the juror who won’t stay off the Internet at trial or how jurors react to different camera angles at deposition.

With all this advice and expertise on juror selection and behavior, there has, historically, been scant intelligence on the one person with the single greatest impact on a trial:

The judge.

Jason Keehfus delivers the closing argument on behalf of R.J. Reynolds in Elizabeth Smith's suit against Reynolds and Philip Morris. Jurors Monday found her claimed smoking-related diseases did not develop within the time allowed for membership in a class action against the companies. 

West Palm Beach, FL—A jury Monday concluded a Florida woman did not have cancer or respiratory disease within the time required for membership in a class action against the nation’s tobacco companies, clearing Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds of liability in her suit. Smith v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., 2007-CA-023930.

Decatur, GA—Attorneys Wednesday sparred over responsibility for the strokes that caused lifelong brain damage to a Georgia woman, as trial opened in her husband’s suit against the emergency room staff that treated her. Evans v. Sutton, et al, 13A48465-4.