Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.
Dr. Melissa Pigott is a highly successful, nationally known social psychologist with a four-decade career, who has published internationally. She is an accomplished speaker, author, and educator. Dr. Pigott is nationally recognized as one of the foremost experts in the area of jury and litigation research. She is co-founder and Director of Research of Magnus Research Consultants. Magnus provides scientific evaluations of juror responses to case issues in consulting with attorneys involved in high stakes litigation. Clients achieve optimum outcomes through customized research programs, including surveys, focus groups, and mock trials.
"I diagnose the interplay between social psychology and etiquette by offering a common-sense attitude and new approach to good manners coupled with gratitude."
Available for training, seminar presentations, book signings and interviews.
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Academic Training
Ph.D., Social Psychology
Florida State University, August 1984
Minor: Criminology. Teaching Specialization Areas: Social Psychology, Personality, Law and Psychology, Crime and Delinquency, Cognitive Psychology.
M.S., Social Psychology
Florida State University, August 1982
Major: Social Psychology
B.A., Psychology
Florida International University, June 1979
Cum Laude, Psi Chi Honor Society
Professional Experience
Director of Research
Magnus Research Consultants, Inc., Pompano Beach, FL Dec 1993 - present
Co-owner of organization that conducts litigation, marketing, and organizational research. Responsible for: all research functions of the organization, generating and maintaining client business, and managing staff and daily operations.
Adjunct Professor
College of Law, Stetson University, St. Petersburg, FL Apr 1997 - Apr 2005
Special lecturer in Professor W. McKinley Smiley's medical jurisprudence and advanced civil trial skills classes.
Adjunct Professor
Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL Jan 1995 - Dec 1999
Taught students in doctoral and masters programs in areas of social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, and research methodology. Supervised student research.
Senior Litigation Psychologist
Trial Consultants, Inc., Miami, FL Oct 1991 - Dec 1993
Conducted research studies in the area of civil litigation. Research was both qualitative and quantitative, and high volume in nature. Responsibilities included: supervising research team; consulting with clients on improving trial strategies; jury selection; and designing, conducting, and reporting research.
Senior Research Associate
Litigation Sciences, Inc., Atlanta, GA Aug 1989 - Sep 1991
Conducted research studies in the area of civil and criminal litigation. Clients were typically Fortune 500 companies and their attorneys. Research encompassed juror decision making in all areas of litigation. Focus of research efforts on assisting attorneys prepare trial strategy.
Director of Marketing Research
Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL Nov 1984 - Aug 1989
Conducted health care marketing research in areas such as community image, medical staff opinion, and patient satisfaction. Internal research performed on employee assistance programs, organizational climate (morale), and assessments of services and products. Also performed demographic analyses and conducted various multi-company research projects.
Adjunct Professor
Department of Psychology, University of North Florida Aug 1985 - Aug 1989
Taught undergraduate and graduate students in Research Methods, Social Psychology, Personality, Organizational Behavior, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology courses. Also qualified to teach Psychology and Law, Cognitive Psychology, Introductory Psychology, Experimental Social Psychology, Crime and Delinquency.
Research/Teaching Assistant
Florida State University & Florida International University Jan 1978 - Aug 1984
Academic research in the area of psychology and law, specifically, on factors affecting eyewitness memory. Research funding received from the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Justice. Other research interests include expert testimony in court and cognition/perception.
Books
- Pigott, M.A. (2026). The Social Psychology of Etiquette: Please Don't Kick the Cat. Politics and Prose Opus.
- Pigott, M.A. (2016). Ziggy Stardust: A Cat's Tale. Self-Published, available on Amazon.
- Leone, C., and Pigott, M.A. (1989). Social Psychology: Study Guide. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Co., Inc.
- Pigott, M.A., & Leone, C. (1989). Social Psychology: Instructor's Manual. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Co., Inc.
Psychology & Law Articles
Bothwell, R.K., Brigham, J.C., & Pigott, M.A. (1987). An exploratory study of personality differences in eyewitness memory. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 2(3), 335-343.
Bothwell, R.K., Pigott, M.A., Foley, L.A., & McFatter, R. (2006). Racial bias in juridic judgment at private and public levels. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36(9), 2134-2149.
Brigham, J.C., & WolfsKeil, (Pigott) M.A. (1983). Opinions of attorneys and law enforcement personnel on the accuracy of eyewitness identification. Law and Human Behavior, 7(4), 337-349.
Fauss, D.H., & Pigott, M.A. (1997). Attorneys and jurors: Do they have anything in common? Trial Diplomacy Journal, 20(3), 183-199.
Foley, L.A., & Pigott, M.A. (1997). Race, age, and jury decisions in a civil rape trial. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 15(1), 1-18.
Foley, L.A., & Pigott, M.A. (1997). The influence of forepersons and non-foreperson on mock jury decisions. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 15(4), 1-12.
Foley, L.A., & Pigott, M.A. (2000). Belief in a just world and jury decisions in a civil rape trial. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(5), 935-951.
Foley, L.A., & Pigott, M.A. (2002). Race, self presentation, and reverse discrimination in jury decisions. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 20(3), 37-52.
Hyme, H., Foley, L.A., & Pigott, M.A. (1999). A comparison of male and female dominated juries in a case of coerced sex with a male plaintiff. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 17(3), 67-80.
Lambert, L., & Pigott, M.A. (2006). Insiders' views on jury decision making. American Bar Association, Tort, Trial, & Insurance Practice, Aviation and Space Law Committee Newsletter (Fall), 18-20.
Pigott, M.A. (May, 1997). Conduct voir dire wisely. Trial.
Pigott, M.A. (March, 2000). What the design professional needs to know about jury consultants. aepronet.org.
Pigott, M.A. (2001). Twenty-five common mistakes attorneys make in voir dire. The Practical Litigator, 12(1), 51-54.
Pigott, M.A. (2001). Trial themes and analysis. The Florida Bar News, August 15, 2001, 25.
Pigott, M.A., & Brigham, J.C. (1985). The relationship of prior description and facial recognition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 70(3), 547-555.
Pigott, M.A., Brigham, J.C., & Bothwell, R.K. (1990). A field study on the relationship between quality of eyewitnesses' descriptions and identification accuracy. Journal of Police Science and Administration, 17(2), 84-88.
Pigott, M.A., & Foley, L.A. (1995). Social influence in jury decision making. Trial Diplomacy Journal, 18(2), 101-108.
Pigott, M.A., & Foley, L.A. (1995). The impact of personality and demographics on verdict in a civil rape case. Trial Diplomacy Journal, 18(3), 145-158.
Pigott, M.A., & Foley, L.A. (1995). Improve your success in voir dire: Understanding jurors' personalities. Trial Diplomacy Journal, 18(4), 197-204.
Pigott, M.A., Foley, L.A. (1997). Individual and corporate responsibility in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Trial Diplomacy Journal, 20(6), 347-358.
Pigott, M.A., & Foley, L.A. (2000). The role of gender in sexual harassment litigation. The Trial Lawyer, 23(1), 49-58.
Pigott, M.A., & Friedman, H. L. (1998). Enhancing fact witness effectiveness. The Trial Lawyer, 21(5), 309-320.
Pigott, M.A. (1983). Recognition and recall independence in memory for faces. Unpublished manuscript.
Pigott, M.A., Myers, M.L., Cochran, C., McIntire, B.B., Gonzales, M.R., Cochran, P.L., & Coyle, N. (1986). Florida's class of '76: Ten years later. Unpublished manuscript.
Invited Addresses & Presentations
2026
"Jury Selection Secrets: How Attorneys Can Better Understand Juror Psychology." Guest Speaker on Chromatic Counsel Podcast, hosted by Kerry Kathleen Heaps.
Guest Interview on The Trustcast Show Podcast, hosted by Zane Myers.
2024
"25 Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Office of the State Attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in the Litigation Process." Georgia Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Atlanta, Georgia.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Georgia Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Atlanta, Georgia.
"Jury Selection." Guest Speaker on Summarily - a Podcast for Busy Lawyers, hosted by Robert Scavone, Jr.
2023
"Maximizing Voir Dire in I.P. Cases." DRI Super Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Maximizing Litigation Outcomes." Presentation with Michael Corso, Esq. Florida Defense Lawyer Association, 26th Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"25 Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Office of the State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Florida Eminent Domain 27th Annual Conference, Tampa, Florida.
2022
"Trial Jury Selection Overview." The Palm Beach Chapter of The American Board of Trial Advocates, West Palm Beach, Florida.
2021
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Orlando, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." South Florida Claims Association, Lighthouse Point, Florida.
2020
"The Attorney as Teacher." Jacksonville Bar Association 2020 Annual Raymond Erlich Trial Advocacy Seminar, Jacksonville, Florida.
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Orlando, Florida.
2019
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant," Forensic Psychology Class, Keiser University, Port St. Lucie, Florida.
"Jury Selection: Are You Ready?" The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section, Webinar.
"The Psychology of Decision Making," Bedell Inn of Court, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Office of the State Attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach, Florida.
2018
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Gainesville, Florida.
2017
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"25 Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Eminent Domain Committee. The Florida Bar Annual Meeting, Boca Raton, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Let's Go To Trial – You, Your Park & 12 Strangers." Co-Presenter with Rudie Baldwin, Esq. World Water Park Association, West Palm Beach, Florida.
2016
"The Attorney as Teacher." Roig Lawyers, Deerfield Beach, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." South Florida Claims Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"25 Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Nova Southeastern University College of Law, Trial Advocacy Program, Davie, Florida.
"Voir Dire and Jury Selection: Learn from the Experts." Panelist with Manuel Dobrinsky, Esq. and William Geraghty, Esq. Dade County Defense Bar Association, Miami, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Florida Human Resource Council, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Alternative Dispute Resolution." Florida Human Resource Council, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Gunster Employment Practices Group, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Gainesville, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Wicker Smith Law Firm's Nuts & Bolts of Today's Claims Industry Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin, Miami, Florida.
"Selecting your First Jury." Panelist with Hon. Elizabeth Krier, Hon. Michael McHugh, Vicki Sprout, Esq., Jeffrey Rice, Esq. and Mark Boyle, Esq. Lee County Bar Association, Fort Myers, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Henderson Franklin Law Firm, Fort Myers, Florida.
"Jurors' Perceptions of Lawyers and Legal Malpractice." Panelist with Hon. Dorian Damoorgian, David Ehrlich, Esq., Richard Block, Esq., and Cori Meltzer, Esq. on Viewpoints - Assorted Malpractice Pitfalls, Broward County Bar Association, Legal Malpractice Summit, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2015
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Twelfth Annual Hon. Ralph W. "Buddy" Nimmons, Jr. Federal Practice Seminar, Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville, Florida.
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Gainesville, Florida.
"Jury Selection Techniques." Effectively Litigating Employment Cases From Inception Through Trial, The Florida Bar Association, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." 2015 Broward County Bench and Bar Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2014
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Association of Eminent Domain Professionals, Tampa, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Office of the State Attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Litigation Lessons Learned: Risk Assessment Through Mock Jury Research, Case Challenges and Results." GEICO, Lakeland, Florida.
"Litigation Lessons Learned: Risk Assessment Through Mock Jury Research, Case Challenges and Results." AAA Auto Club South Insurance Company of Florida, Tampa, Florida.
2013
"Courtroom Communications Techniques: The Attorney as Teacher." Holland & Knight, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." National Association of Dealer Counsel 2013 Annual Member Conference, Laguna Beach, California.
"Utilizing Psychological Science to Maximize Litigation." Presentation with Rory Jurman, Esq. as Co-Presenter, GEICO, Lakeland, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." 2013 Broward County Bar Association Bench and Bar Convention, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2012
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Hinshaw & Culbertson, L.L.P., Miami, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Houck Anderson Cruise Industry Seminar, Miami, Florida.
2011
"The Art, Science, Methodology, and Ethics of Jury Trial Consultants." Florida Justice Association, 2011 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Broward County Justice Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Swiss Re/Westport Insurance Corporation, Overland Park, Kansas.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Jacksonville Bar Association 2011 Annual Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel, 2011 Retreat, Amelia Island, Florida.
2010
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Collier County Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section, Naples, Florida.
"The Expert's View on Jury Selection: What You Should Know to be Successful in Selecting a Jury." Florida Justice Association Jury Selection Seminar, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Powers, McNalis, Torres, & Teebagy Hard Knocks: Insurance Law Training Camp, West Palm Beach, Florida.
2009
"Turbo Voir Dire." Akerman Senterfitt Miami Litigation Department, Miami, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. Litigation Section, Orlando, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Florida Justice Association, 2009 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Hinshaw & Culbertson, L.L.P., Miami, Florida, and firm wide webcast.
"Psychological Science and Visual Arts in Litigation." Thirteenth Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Shook, Hardy, & Bacon, L.L.P., Kansas City Missouri, and firm wide webcast.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Florida Association of County Attorneys 2009 Continuing Legal Education Program, Marco Island, Florida.
"Litigation Lessons Learned: Risk Assessment Through Mock Jury Research, Case Challenges and Results." The Travelers Companies, Inc., Tampa and Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia.
"Mock Trial Demonstration." Henderson Franklin Claims Defense Update, Tampa, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Gray Robinson, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and firm wide webcast.
2008
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Powers, McNalis, Torres & Teebagy, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Volusia County Attorney's Office, DeLand, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire." Volusia County Attorney's Office, DeLand, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel, Amelia Island, Florida.
2007
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Trial Consulting Graduate Class, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Florida Justice Association, 2007 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Spohrer & Dodd, P.L., Jacksonville, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Farah & Farah, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Florida Ultimate Trial Notebook, Palm Beach Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates, Jupiter, Florida.
2006
"What do Jurors Really Think about Defense Medical Examiners - How do Jurors Regard the Defense Medical Exam?" Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2006 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"From Voir Dire to Verdict: Trial Demonstration of a Low Impact Auto Collision Case." Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, New Haven, Connecticut.
"Psychological Science in the Litigation Process." Holland & Knight All Lawyers Meeting, Orlando, Florida.
"Inside the Jury Room." Presentation with Judge Marc Schumacher and Lyndall Lambert. The Dade County Defense Bar Association, Miami, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire" and Jury Selection Demonstration. Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, Gainesville, Florida.
"Jurors Say the Darndest Things." Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Long Term Care Litigation Conference, Tampa, Florida.
2005
"Style in the Courtroom: What Judges Think About What You're Wearing." Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Sarasota, Florida.
"Jury Selection and the Concept of 'Men are from Mars - Women are from Venus' - What You Need to Know About the Ill-Conceived and Misunderstood Ways in Which Female Jurors Perceive Witnesses and Evidence Far Differently from the Perceptions of Male Jurors." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2005 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire - View from a Jury Consultant." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2005 Jury Selection Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Utilizing Psychological Science in Litigation." Cape Coral Bar Association, Cape Coral, Florida.
"Voir Dire in Light of Amendment 3: Understanding Juror Bias." Presentation with William Hahn, Esq., Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2005 Medical Malpractice Seminar, Tampa, Florida.
2004
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psychology and Law Class, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire" and Jury Selection Demonstration. Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville, Florida.
2003
"Psychological Science in Litigation." GrayHarris Litigation Conference, Tampa, Florida.
"Jury Research - The Ultimate Competitive Advantage." Presentation with Kim Patrick Hart, Esq., Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2003 Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." American Board of Trial Advocates, Orlando Chapter, Orlando, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Carlton Fields, P.A., 2003 Products Liability Practice Group Retreat, Miami, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Florida Department of Transportation, 2003 Legal Conference, St. Petersburg, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." The Dade County Defense Bar Association, Miami, Florida.
"Inside the Minds of the Jury." Design Professionals Risk Control Group Legal Counsel Forum, DPIC Companies, Kona, Hawaii.
"Ten Angry People Mock Jury Demonstration." Design Professionals Risk Control Group, Loss Prevention Convocation, DPIC Companies, Kona, Hawaii.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire" and Jury Selection Demonstration. Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office, Miami, Florida.
2002
"Jury Selection Presentation" and "Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Gunster Yoakley Annual Litigation Section Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Jury Selection Presentation." Thomas S. Biggs Inns of Court, Naples, Florida.
"Voir Dire and the Consequences of September 11th." The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Medical Malpractice Seminar, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida.
"Jury Selection after the Attack on America." Absolute Litigators Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." American Board of Trial Advocates, Broward Chapter, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Inaugural Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar, Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Florida Bar Eminent Domain Section Seminar, Boca Raton, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." The Dade County Defense Bar Association, Miami, Florida.
"Maximizing Voir Dire." Al J. Cone Trial Advocacy Institute, sponsored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Young Lawyers Section, Orlando, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Tripp Scott Litigation Department, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" and "Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." State Attorneys Office, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Gainesville, Florida.
"Psychological Science in Litigation." Paralegal Association of Florida Annual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Psychological Science in Litigation." Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council Annual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Inside the Minds of the Jury." Design Professionals & Contractors Conference, Gorman & Israel Law Firm, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2001
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups." Independent Insurance Agents of Dade County meeting, Miami, Florida.
"Style in the Courtroom: What Judges Think About What You're Wearing." Advocacy Skills for the Future seminar, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2001 Workhorse Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Voir Dire on Subjective Damages." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2001 Workhorse Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make In Voir Dire" and "Conducting Voir Dire in a Civil Jury Trial." The Broward Bar Association, Trial Practice Section Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make In Voir Dire." Ferrell Shultz, P.A., Miami, Florida.
"Jury Selection Simulation - Interactive Presentation." National Employment Lawyers Association, Annual Seminar, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
"An Intergalactic Exploration of Professional Communication: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus and Lawyers are from...?" Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Orlando, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psychology and Law class, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Akerman Senterfitt Annual Firm Retreat, Hutchinson Island, Florida.
"A Jury Consultant's View of Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Al J. Cone Trial Advocacy Institute, sponsored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Young Lawyers Section, Orlando, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Lee County Personal Injury Association, Fort Myers, Florida.
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups." Broward County Young Lawyers Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2000
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make in Voir Dire." Workshop conducted with Anthony Martino, Esq., Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2000 Workhorse Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups." Faraci & Faraci Personal Injury Litigation Seminar, Palm Beach Shores, Florida.
"Common Mistakes Attorneys Make In Voir Dire." Southern Trial Lawyers Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Jury Selection Presentation." The Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court LIV, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"In Re: Image of Women Lawyers: Perception v. Reality." Professional Leadership Committee, Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Orlando, Florida.
"Mock Mediation: A New Tool." Presentation with Stephen Hanlon, Esq., ATTAC/NAPAS Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
"You Did a Bad, Bad Thing - So Pick a Good, Good Jury." Seminar conducted with Hon. Herbert Baumann, Jacquelyn Beatty, Esq., Daniel Mullin, Esq., and Robin Westerfield, Esq., American Bar Association/Torts and Insurance Practice Section, New York, New York.
"Trial Themes and Analysis." Labor and Employment Law Trial Skills Program, Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida.
"Jury Selection Demonstration." The Williams Inns of Court, Altamonte Springs, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psychology and Law class, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups." Advanced Civil Trial Skills class, Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psi Chi Honor Society, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.
1999
"Elderly Jurors in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases. Do I Keep them? Do I Strike Them? There is Good and Bad News!" Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1999 Workhorse Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law Offices of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson & Sperando, Stuart, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law Offices of McIntosh, Sawran, & Craven, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Jury Consultants & Focus Groups." Central Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council, Inc., Orlando, Florida.
"A Little Knowledge About Juror Demographics is a Dangerous Thing." 1999 Annual Melvin Belli Society Seminar, San Francisco, California.
"Handling the 'Problem Client' Issues During Jury Selection" (with John Romano). 1999 American Trial Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.
"Mock Trial Demonstration." Third Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference, in cooperation with the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Orlando, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law Offices of Holland & Knight, Miami, Florida.
"Jury Consultants & Focus Groups." Psychology and Law Class, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Jury Consultants & Focus Groups." Florida Trucking Association, Safety Management Council Litigation Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Jury Consultants & Focus Groups." Barry University Law School, Orlando, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law Offices of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes, and Holt, Fort Myers, Florida.
"A Little Knowledge About Juror Demographics is a Dangerous Thing." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1999 Winter Ski Seminar, Vail, Colorado.
1998
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups in Claims Management." The Travelers Claims Group, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (abbreviated). Leon County Public Defenders Office, Tallahassee, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Leon County Public Defenders Office, Tallahassee, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psychology and Law Class, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Psychology and Law Class, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Jury Consultants in High Profile Cases." Panel Discussion, Psychology and Law Program, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups in Construction Litigation." Victor O. Schinnerer & Company, Inc., 37th Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys, New Orleans, Louisiana.
1997
"Voir Dire on Liability Issues in Premises Liability Cases." Southern Trial Lawyers Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Understanding the Nuances of Jury Selection and Jurors in Premises Liability Cases." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1997 Workhorse Conference, Orlando, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law offices of English, McCaughan, & O'Bryan, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Jury Consultants and Focus Groups." Association of Eminent Domain Professionals, Tampa, Florida.
"Courtroom Communications Techniques: The Attorney as Teacher." Absolute Litigators Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada and San Francisco, California.
Lecture and Demonstration on Jury Selection. Employment Law Trial Skills Seminar, Florida Bar and Stetson College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Broward County Public Defenders Office, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart, & Shipley, P.A., West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Successful Advocacy for Women Lawyers." Stetson University College of Law, Tampa, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Law Offices of Holland & Knight, Orlando, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Florida Public Defenders Trial with Style Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1997 Winter Ski Seminar, Snowmass, Colorado.
1996
"The Influence of the Jury Group on Individual Jurors." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Workhorse Seminar, Orlando, Florida.
Jury Selection Presentation. Caloosa Inns of Court, Fort Myers, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Gainesville, Florida.
"Attorneys and Jurors: Do They Have Anything in Common?" Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Annual Spring Ski Seminar, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Marion County Bar Association, Ocala, Florida.
Focus Group Moderation. Special Project on Women's Issues, Broward County Commission on the Status of Women, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law offices of Holland and Knight, Jacksonville, Florida.
Faculty Member, Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar, The Florida Bar Association, Gainesville, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire." Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
"Better Jury Decision Making." Florida Public Defenders Association Conference, Building a Better Defense III, Key West, Florida.
"The Attorney as Teacher: Making Your Case Mean Something to Someone Other than You." Litigation Section of the 1996 All Lawyer Meeting, Law offices of Holland & Knight, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Focus Groups and Mock Trials." Design Professionals & Contractors Conference. A Loss Prevention Seminar and Legal Update. Kubicki Draper Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"What Questions Do I Want and Need to Ask of Individual Jurors? - How to Frame the Questions - Choosing Certain Jurors for Particular Questions - Questioning Style and Form." 1996 ATLA Workhorse Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Law firm of Crary, Buchanan, et al., Stuart, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Office of the State Attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant" and Lecture on Attribution Theory. University of Maryland, United States Naval Facility, Rota, Spain.
1995
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). N.E. Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Jacksonville, Florida.
"The Nature of Nonprejudice and its Impact on Jury Selection." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Annual Spring Ski Seminar, Squaw Valley, California.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Broward County Public Defender's Office, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Mock Trial Seminar." Ruden, Barnett, McClosky, Smith, Schuster, & Russell, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"The Nature of Nonprejudice and its Impact on Jury Selection." Broward County Public Defender's Office, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire" (Abbreviated). Kubicki Draper, et al., firm retreat, Delray Beach, Florida.
"Ethics in Litigation Research." Kubicki Draper, et al., firm retreat, Delray Beach, Florida.
"The Use of Litigation Psychology in Medical Malpractice Cases." North Florida Risk Management Association, Jacksonville, Florida.
"Ethics in Litigation Research." Hispanic Bar Association of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Utilizing Litigation Psychology in Bad Faith Cases." Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Annual Bad Faith Seminar, Fort Lauderdale & Tampa, Florida.
"Turbo Voir Dire." Law firm of Boyd & Jenerette, Jacksonville, Florida.
"The Use of Psychological Science in Medical Malpractice Cases." South Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Miami, Florida.
"Tribulations of a Trial Consultant." Florida International University, Psychology and Law Program, Miami, Florida.
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association
American Psychology-Law Society
Association of Psychological Science
Cat Writers' Association
Florida Writers Association
National League of American Pen Women
Society of Personality and Social Psychology
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Southeastern Psychological Association
Honors & Awards
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Outstanding Young Women of America Award (1986)
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Certificate of Achievement, Outstanding Employee Performance (1987)
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Who's Who in the South and Southwest (1993 - present)
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Who's Who in Science and Engineering (1994 - present)
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Who's Who in the World (1995 - present)
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Who's Who in American Women (1995 - present)