Learn how neuroscience's growing discoveries concerning how humans process information is at odds with the jury system structure.
Nancy Neufer focuses on helping clients to develop persuasive communications strategies for use in a variety of business settings. Her particular expertise is in helping clients to understand the predispositions and attitudes of their audiences and, from this perspective, to create the most compelling messages. Nancy heads HawkPartners’ litigation consulting practice, and also assists marketing clients across a variety of industries, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceuticals, healthcare and financial services.
Prior to joining HawkPartners, Nancy spent more than 10 years with FTI Consulting and DecisionQuest, conducting juror perception research and consulting with trial teams and corporate clients. Her work included the management of large-scale trial consulting engagements for clients in numerous industries including pharmaceuticals, professional services, technology and consumer goods. Nancy also has more than 10 years of experience in the airline industry in a variety of market research, sales and management positions. During that time she conducted market research and analysis for regional, national and international air carriers to inform decisions about new market entry, the determination of service levels, pricing and customer service quality control.
Nancy finds rest and relaxation in listening to music and enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family. When time permits, her favorite spots to seek inspiration are hiking in the Alps or soaking up the beauty of a serene mountain lake.
Nancy received a BS and MS in Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University.
Perspectives by Nancy Neufer
An effective COVID trial strategy cannot be designed without first understanding the new COVID jury. By instead conducting focused research, trial communications can be optimized to resonate among the jury of now.
The COVID era trial must balance protecting the constitutional elements of a jury trial while protecting the nation’s health in a pandemic. Both a socially distanced in-person approach and a virtual approach allow for that – but also pose challenges that trial teams have never encountered.
Nancy Neufer and Rob Duboff share anecdotes from their research experience to illustrate the challenges faced by intellectual property litigators who must present technical evidence while still taking care to address the human elements of the story that concern jurors.
Rob Duboff and Nancy Neufer review the strategic jury selection approaches that might have led to a different outcome in a criminal murder trial.
For defendants, complex litigation necessitates that the story be effective in the first case to go to trial as well as those that follow.
Rob Duboff and Nancy Neufer describe the role of the trial attorney as a performer and the importance of connecting with jurors on an emotional level, an element of jury persuasion that is critical for litigators who want to win.
HawkPartners offer a perspective on how jury perceptions can be as important as actual evidence in reaching a verdict.
Nancy Neufer and Scott Berman discuss the importance, particularly for corporate defendants, of assessing the background issues that may influence jurors’ perceptions in the courtroom.