Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation for a Legal Proceeding

PowerPoint presentations have long been used in the courtroom to deliver important arguments to a judge and jury. Although this technology is not new, many attorneys still struggle to use the software effectively. Without the right tools, even the strongest legal arguments may be lost on the audience.

The Basics: Know Your Screen

The type of screen on which your presentation will be displayed makes a significant difference in its visual clarity. An older pull-down screen in a courtroom may not be as easy to view as a large high-definition monitor. The lighting in the presentation environment also has a large impact on the screen.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of professionals carefully studies the location of your presentation, whether it is a large courtroom or a small conference room. This allows us to create a PowerPoint presentation that is tailored to the specific environment in which you will be presenting.

Fonts and Colors

The font type and font colors you select for your PowerPoint presentation determine whether your audience is able to read the information you are delivering. For example, did you know that sans serif fonts are usually easier on the eyes? Capitalizing every word in a block of text is also generally ineffective, and many background colors can cause many viewers’ eyes to strain. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we know the best types of fonts and font colors to use to ensure your audience is able to read text, regardless of their age or visual acuity.

Do Not Read from the Screen

A PowerPoint presentation is a visual aid. A visual aid should support an attorney’s presentation—not be the entire presentation itself. An attorney should use a PowerPoint presentation to drive home important facts and legal arguments. If the attorney simply stands in front of a judge and jury and reads from a slide, the attorney risks these individuals becoming bored and unimpressed.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we will work with you to help you use a PowerPoint presentation as a supplemental tool to strengthen your legal arguments. We will help you practice and will provide tips to you to increase the effectiveness of your delivery.

Plan Your Position

Where you stand during a PowerPoint presentation is important. You want to be able to address your audience while tying your statements to the slides that are displayed. Stand too close to your audience and they may focus on you instead of the PowerPoint. If you stand too far away, the audience may become distracted.

The team of professionals at TrialSpectrum, Inc., will help you determine where you should stand to deliver your message effectively. We will also discuss body language and whether you should move about the room at all during your presentation.

A Variety of Visual Elements

One of the greatest advantages of using PowerPoint software is its ability to include a variety of visual elements into a single presentation. Attorneys are able to incorporate photos, audio clips, videos, graphics, animations, and a variety of other pieces of evidence into a single presentation. Because everyone learns information differently, a PowerPoint presentation is an excellent tool to use to ensure the audience understands both the facts of a case and the laws and regulations that may affect them.

Contact TrialSpectrum, Inc. Today to Begin Creating a PowerPoint Presentation

The team of litigation consultants and trial technology experts at TrialSpectrum, Inc., has the tools you need to elevate your legal arguments. We not only create effective PowerPoint presentations, but we also work with you to ensure you are comfortable using the software. We are available the day of your presentation as well to assist with any technological issues you may have. To learn more about our company and the services we offer, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.

What Should Be Printed on Trial Exhibit Boards?

As courts throughout the United States begin to open again and conduct in-person hearings and trials, it is important for attorneys to prepare thoroughly and refresh their oral advocacy skills. Many attorneys focus on digital visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations and animations, but trial exhibit boards continue to serve a valuable purpose in the courtroom.

What Should Be Printed on Trial Exhibit Boards?

A number of factors impact what content should be printed onto a trial exhibit board. For example, in a personal injury claim, photos of injuries may be powerful. In breach of contract cases, printing clauses from a contract or quotations from a party may have a significant impact on the jury.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of litigation consultants and trial technology professionals will work with you to create the most effective trial exhibit board for your legal proceeding. We apply various persuasive techniques to ensure that your arguments and exhibits will have the intended effect on your specific audience.

Trial Exhibit Boards Stay Put to Deliver a Powerful Message

One of the biggest advantages to using trial exhibit boards is that they are stationary. You can have your case theme highlighted on a trial exhibit board and place it where the jury can easily refer to it. As you question witnesses, present evidence, and make your arguments, the jury will be reminded of the big picture as they connect your case to the theme presented on the trial exhibit board.

Although using animations and PowerPoint presentations is certainly effective, for many jurors, the argument is lost if there are too many slides or if the information is presented too quickly. Using a trial exhibit board allows the jury to focus on the attorney’s arguments and absorb the information that is being presented.

Know Your Audience: Many Jurors Prefer Simpler Presentations

Many jurors, particularly those who are older, easily become overwhelmed by fancy animations, videos, and audio clips. They may struggle to keep up with the points the attorney is arguing, or they may find these types of visual aids distracting. A simple trial exhibit board that is easy to see and easy to read is often a much better approach to use for these jurors.

For many jurors, less is more.

How TrialSpectrum, Inc., Can Help Your Law Firm

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of professional litigation consultants and trial technology specialists are prepared to meet with you to discuss your case. We are able to assist with both courtroom hearings and out-of-court proceedings, such as arbitration and mediation.

Unlike many litigation consulting and trial technology companies, TrialSpectrum, Inc., conducts all of its printing services in-house. This allows us to maintain an excellent standard of quality, keep costs down for our clients, and expedite the printing process. We carefully package the materials for your presentation so that they are not damaged during transport, and we are even available to help you set up and break down your presentation materials on the date of your event.

To ensure that your audience is able to easily view your trial exhibit board, we use foam core boards that are laminated with a sheen-free finish. Your board will be viewed easily from any angle.

We are able to print a variety of sizes of exhibit boards, ranging from 18 x 24 inches to 48 x 96 inches.

Call TrialSpectrum, Inc. Today to Discuss Your Case

The team at TrialSpectrum, Inc., has assisted attorneys and law firms throughout the United States in a variety of legal claims. To schedule a free consultation to learn about our company and the products we offer, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.

Why Use Visual Aids in the Courtroom?

During a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding, many attorneys seem to overlook the importance and value of using visual aids in the courtroom. Some attorneys may think that visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations, animations, and boards are unnecessary to make their arguments. They may also be concerned—especially if a hearing is scheduled with short notice—that preparing visual aids cuts into valuable time that could be used to prepare arguments and witnesses.

However, using visual aids adds significant value to an attorney’s arguments. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we know that putting together a PowerPoint presentation or printing large exhibits can seem daunting. We are a full-service litigation consultation and trial technology company and not only prepare visual aids for our clients, but also help them determine which visual aids are most effective for the arguments they would like to make.

Visual Aids Bring a Case to Life

When someone tells a story, it may not always be easy to follow. However, add in some photos, videos, or even a diagram, and suddenly your statements may “click” with your audience. In especially complex matters, such as medical malpractice claims, visual aids often help the jury piece together what happened in the body. For example, explaining the impact that an injury had on a medical malpractice victim can be persuasive, but adding in a video that shows the difficulty the victim has completing daily activities is much more powerful.

Visual Aids Transfer Easily to Remote Proceedings

For much of the past year, many courtroom proceedings have been virtual or remote in nature. Whether your hearing or trial is in a physical courtroom or must be conducted online, the visual aids you prepare will be useful. Photographs, videos, charts, and other such tools are all easy to display with virtual meeting software. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we are prepared to assist you with both virtual and in-person proceedings.

Individuals Have Different Learning Styles

Judges and jurors all have different learning styles. Some individuals learn by listening, others learn by hands-on experiences, and many learn by observing. Visual aids are appealing to many judges and jurors because they are able to appeal to a variety of learning styles. Visual aids may use sound clips (such as in videos, animations, and other types of presentations) to amplify their impact on the audience.

Visual Aids Help Attorneys Solidify Their Arguments

When attorneys use visual aids in their presentations, they have an opportunity to strengthen their arguments even more. How? Visual aids help attorneys learn new concepts as well. Before taking a certain type of case, an attorney is likely unfamiliar with specific engineering concepts or a complex injury claim. These aids help the attorney gain a full understanding of the facts of the case so that the attorney can make legal arguments that are compelling. When an attorney appears knowledgeable and confident in front of the jury, the jury finds the attorney’s arguments much harder to dismiss.

The Jury Expects It

In today’s legal world, judges and jurors alike often expect some type of visual aid as they observe a legal proceeding. Thanks to an endless number of shows on television that involve legal-themed elements, many individuals may be disappointed if they do not at least get to look at a few pictures during a trial. Managing juror expectations is one of the most important aspects of a good legal argument. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we can help create powerful visual aids that impress the jury.

To Learn More About Our Services, Contact Us Today

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we have partnered with law firms throughout the country in a variety of case types. Whether you have a multi-week trial coming up or need assistance with a mediation, we can provide the tools you need to effectively argue your case. To schedule a free consultation with our team to learn about our services, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.