exhibits Archives - Executive Presentations

March 15, 2012

Demonstrative Exhibits

The six fundamentals of effectively conveying damages By Rick Kraemer and Alma Hawk In the last 15 years we have had the opportunity to work with Southern California’s most accomplished lawyers, both plaintiff and defense. Good lawyers realize that one of the keys to obtaining a successful verdict is taking the time to prepare the visual presentation of the case. Judges and juries appreciate damages presented in a concise, compelling and visually appealing format. While lawyers are very skilled in verbal argument, jurors as their audience, best absorb information visually. To effectively convey damages, a presentation should give a clear understanding of who & what was involved, where & when the events happened, and how the injury or series of events could have been prevented. All of this leads us to the why. Why should substantial damages be awarded? WHO In a decision to award damages, a judge or jury should personally identify with the plaintiff(s). By presenting a photo collage, we are able to construct a compelling portrait of the parties affected by the injury. It is important to have a client or family member involved in selecting these photos. When testifying, the demonstrative evidence will be more powerful […]

March 22, 2012

Courtroom Technology: Hurray For Hollywood

There are lessons to be learned when Tinseltown is the teacher By Rick Kraemer and Naomi Musnicki For hundreds of years, oratory skills were the primary means by which to persuade a jury. Times have changed. Courtrooms have now become multimedia shows designed to hold the jurors’ interest and to convincingly communicate the client’s story. In effect, trial attorneys are much like movie directors as they orchestrate the drama played out in court. In addition to creating the “plot” or case theme, juggling clients and witnesses, and playing to the audience of jurors, attorneys must now oversee technical and artistic support staff. The opening of a trial is much like a movie trailer. It must capture the jurors’ interest and introduce the theme of the case. The lawyer’s job during the case-in-chief is to develop the theme and build the plot. Professionally prepared computer-generated presentations and visuals will help set the stage of a case theme and help move it along. The jury will come to expect the next visual or computer screen to clue them in on where the attorney is taking them. Just as in the movie business, if the attorney fails to keep the audience’s attention, they […]

March 30, 2012

Preparing Effective, Convincing Visuals For Trial

Nowhere is the old saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” more true than in the courtroom. By Rick Kraemer Every attorney would agree that early and thorough preparation is essential to the success of a case. Many attorneys, however, fail to realize that proper preparation is also critical when it comes to developing visual aids for trial. Early visual aids planning will enhance your oral presentation and go a long way in creating an effective and convincing presentation before a judge or jury. When is the best time to begin developing visuals? As soon as you know that your case is headed for arbitration or trial. Set aside an appropriate amount of time to discuss your case with a graphics consultant who can then help you devise a graphics strategy that will best help convince a judge or jury to your interpretation of the facts. While attorneys often feel comfortable absorbing information by wading through reams of written documents, members of the general public do not. More and more, they are used to and expect to receive information visually. Television news clips and instant access to graphically enhanced information over the Internet means jurors have less patience and […]

May 11, 2012

Zoom Zoom

EP looks at the Prezi presentation software system and sees potential. Launched in 2009, Prezi is a cloud-based presentation software system that has opened up an exciting new dimension beyond exhibit boards and slides. With its zoomable canvas, Prezi delivers visually engaging presentations that lead viewers down a captivating path of discovery. Realizing the system’s potential for compelling use in the courtroom, Executive Presentations Design Consultant Troy White took Prezi for a test drive and came away impressed. What he liked most is its functionality in moving in and around a large graphical layout that delivered both a big-picture view as well as detailed and focused information in a unified way. Below is a screengrab of the title page of a demonstration Troy crafted to show an example of a timeline presentation and some of its possibilities: You can view and move through this web-based demo on the Prezi website (for best results go to full-screen viewing available by clicking the “more” link in the bottom right corner). Troy looks at Prezi’s pros and cons after the jump.

June 15, 2012

Special Delivery!

This advertisement appeared in the June 15, 2012 issue of Los Angeles Daily Journal.

August 1, 2013

First In A Series: An Ounce Of Prevention

With the upcoming annual Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) Convention — the largest trial lawyer convention in the nation — scheduled to take place beginnning August 29 in Las Vegas (and Executive Presentations proudly exhibiting there in Booth No. 308), we decided in the next few weeks leading up to that event to serve up segments online of an article on trial presentation technology by our Rick Kraemer that appeared in the May 2013 issue of CAALA’s Advocate magazine. Titled “An Ounce of Prevention,” Rick takes an in-depth look at how the available technology can make — or potentially break — a lawyer’s case, and he starts it off by recalling a recent exclusive visit to the world-famous Jet Propulsion Lab and how a conversation with one of the fastest men on the planet, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Full Throttle Drag Racer Dave Grubnic, led Rick to draw comparisons between his professional experience and the racing champion’s: I recently received an invitation from Bob Girardi (Tom and Jack’s brother) to attend a private tour he had arranged at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Among the guests was Bob’s friend “Aussie” Dave Grubnic, a professional NHRA Full […]

August 8, 2013

Second In A Series: An Ounce Of Prevention — Computer Systems, Components, And Software

With the Consumer Attorney’s Association of Los Angeles’ (CAALA) annual Las Vegas Convention arriving August 29, we’re serializing a feature article on trial presentation that appeared in the May 2013 issue of CAALA’s Advocate Magazine. Last week, Rick started off the series by recalling a recent exclusive visit to the world-famous Jet Propulsion Lab and how a conversation with one of the fastest men on the planet, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Full Throttle Drag Racer Dave Grubnic, led Rick to draw comparisons between his professional experience and the racing champion’s. This week he bullet points the key issues regarding computer systems, components, and software: • A poorly chosen system can be monstrously incapable of performing the tasks for which it is intended. Computer processor technology has developed rapidly and anything older than three years may not process large graphic, video or trial database files adequately. • While you do not need to buy the latest software as soon as it hits the market, your software should be no more than two versions behind. • Make sure you have adequate file storage space on your server, along with routine backup systems and controls in place to protect the integrity and […]

August 20, 2013

Fourth In A Series: An Ounce Of Prevention — Video

Previously: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 With the Consumer Attorney’s Association of Los Angeles’ (CAALA) annual Las Vegas Convention arriving August 29, we’re serializing a feature article on trial presentation that appeared in the May 2013 issue of CAALA’s Advocate Magazine. Last week, Rick looked at the technology and tactics that will put less error in your trial. This week he explores the power of video and how it is much more than just lights, camera, and action: Videos can be powerful persuaders when used for settlement or trial, such as in wrongful death and personal injury matters. Whether a video is presented to corporate mediators, opposing counsel, an insurance adjuster or jury, a well-made video places the decision-makers directly inside of your client’s condition. When it comes down to the final decision, it is the facts of the case that will determine its outcome. But the added depth and dimension provided by an insightful video presentation can facilitate a clearer and quicker understanding of the issues and experiences, and often result in more favorable outcomes. However, there are some risks involved if you decide to make a video yourself instead of hiring a professional video producer. […]

August 22, 2013

Last In A Series: An Ounce Of Prevention — Graphics

Previously: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 With the Consumer Attorney’s Association of Los Angeles’ (CAALA) annual Las Vegas Convention arriving August 29, we’re serializing a feature article on trial presentation that appeared in the May 2013 issue of CAALA’s Advocate Magazine. Earlier this week, Rick looked at the power of video as a presentation tool and how it is much more than just lights, camera, and action. In the final installment of the series, he wraps things up by giving you the big picture on graphics: Graphics are meant to supplement your arguments, not replace them. Or to put it another way, your exhibits should support your positions, not serve as advocates in and of themselves. Graphics are used to dissect complex material into palatable bits of visual information for the jurors. When graphics of any kind are prepared properly using the right emphasis, flow, and color psychology, they will achieve these objectives. Here are ways to create graphics that simplify, rather than convolute your arguments. • Use visual aids We have become a visual society. Jurors, like the rest of us, process the information they receive primarily through sight. People retain only 30% […]

September 6, 2013