Client Context
A Fortune 500 Global chemical company was embroiled in several intertwined lawsuits, one of which included complex antitrust allegations brought by it against a competitor. As it prepared for trial in that matter, it became clear that a more streamlined communications approach was needed if the jurors were to understand and focus on the fundamental antitrust issues.
The Business Challenge
Given involvement across cases, the trial lawyers and key witnesses were having difficulty setting aside overlapping issues that were not needed for the jurors to reach their verdict in this one specific case. If the team went to trial with a messaging platform that included more detail – or more synthesis – than was necessary, it was likely to cause confusion and lead to an unfavorable decision.
Capabilities Applied
- Strategic Communications
- Trial Consulting
- Witness Preparation
Approach
We reviewed pertinent background materials to focus on the issues the jury would be asked to decide. Working with the key witnesses and the trial attorneys, we collaborated on a streamlined approach to opening statements, witness questioning and closing arguments by providing guidance to the team based on our decades of helping litigators streamline their communications tactics. Once the litigators were comfortable with the revised approach, witness practice sessions helped point out where extraneous material was sneaking into the story, leading to enhanced clarity during the trial.
Impact
The impact of our streamlined story was first seen when opposing counsel had to shift their communications strategy on the fly as the trial unfolded. But it was fully realized when the jury returned a verdict in our client’s favor of more than $20 million.
