Our Services

What We Offer

A complete focus group experience—from initial planning and preparation to professional facilitation, in-depth analysis, and actionable trial resources—all designed to help you approach your case with greater clarity and confidence.

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Attorney Jason Waechter

Known nationally as The Motorcycle Lawyer®, Jason has 30+ years of trial experience including record breaking jury verdicts. He is involved in the preparation and implementation of the focus group, debrief, and subsequent report. Jason is available for other involvement which may include: coaching lawyers, jury selection, performing the actual voir dire, co-trial counsel, or more.

 

A Unique Perspective

First Trial’s Director, Shelby Seeley, is a Yale-certified theatre director with more than a decade of experience in theatre direction and new-play development. Drawing on her expertise in storytelling, audience engagement, and visual communication, Shelby helps legal teams refine presentations, strengthen demonstrative evidence, and communicate complex information with clarity and impact. She brings an audience-focused perspective to trial preparation, helping attorneys understand how jurors perceive and interpret a case.

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Expert Consultation & Case Preparation

Every case is different. We work with you to determine the right type of focus group, what to test, which questions to answer, and how much time you need. Shelby collaborates with your team to develop a strategic presentation, refine demonstrative evidence, and prepare the materials needed to get meaningful feedback. Your neutral statement, discussion questions, verdict forms, and presentation are reviewed and approved by you before the session.

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Participant Recruitment & Screening

We recruit and strategically screen participants who meet the eligibility requirements of the local county court jury pool. Participants are selected to provide feedback from people who resemble those who could serve on your actual jury.

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Professional Facilitation & Attorney Involvement

Shelby presents and facilitates your focus group, guiding discussion to uncover how participants interpret your case, what influences their opinions, and why. Attorney Jason Waechter brings more than 30 years of trial experience to the process, participating in focus group preparation, the session, the debrief, and the report.

After the session, we conduct an attorney debrief to discuss participant reactions, emerging themes, and potential implications for trial strategy and next steps.

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Comprehensive Report & Analysis

We turn unfiltered juror reactions into specific, actionable guidance your legal team can use. The First Trial team prepares a detailed written report that includes:

• Case Analysis: An organized evaluation of case strengths and weaknesses, including representative participant comments.

• Verdict Results: An analysis of verdict form responses and what they may reveal about how participants evaluated the case.

• Key Takeaways & Recommendations: Strategic insights, practical advice, and a prioritized to-do list to help guide your next steps.

• Attorney Insight: Additional notes and recommendations from Jason Waechter.

 

Your Complete Deliverables Package

Your focus group includes more than a written report. You receive a comprehensive collection of materials to review, share with your team, and use in your ongoing trial preparation:

• Video Recordings: Recordings of the focus group and attorney debrief.

• Juror Information: Participant demographics, individual juror notes, completed verdict forms, and voir dire response forms when applicable.

• Case Materials: Copies of the presentation, neutral statement, and demonstratives used during the session.

• Additional Trial Resources: Select proprietary demonstratives for potential use at trial, a trial preparation checklist, and other supporting materials

We organize these materials into a shared digital folder so you and your team can revisit the findings and access your deliverables.

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Continued Support

Our work doesn't have to end when the report is delivered. Follow-up consultations are available to help you review the findings, discuss recommendations, and determine how to put what you've learned into practice. 

Jason is available for other involvement which may include: coaching lawyers, jury selection, performing the actual voir dire, co-trial counsel, or more.

Shelby is available for additional trial support, including courtroom technology setup and operation, creating digital and print demonstratives, and administrative assistance on trial days.​

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Why First Trial​

Contingency Fee

Unlike many trial consulting services, First Trial offers a contingency fee option for qualifying plaintiff personal injury cases. All cases are different, fees depend on the case and scope of services. 

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Legit Jurors
Our participants are strategically screened and must meet the eligibility requirements of the local county court jury pool. This helps ensure you receive feedback from people who resemble those who could serve on your actual jury.

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Coming Soon: Waechter Courtroom

Practice in a realistic courtroom environment before trial. Our planned full-size courtroom and jury room will provide space for attorneys to conduct focus groups, run mock trials, and practice their cases before stepping into the courtroom for real. A state-of-the-art video system will record each session, giving you footage to review and revisit as you refine your trial strategy.

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Best Practices
Our focus groups are designed to capture honest, unfiltered reactions—not to confirm what you already believe about your case. We use neutral questioning, avoid leading participants, and encourage open discussion to uncover the reasoning behind their opinions.

 

A Judgment-Free Environment
Breakthroughs happen when people have the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn. At First Trial, attorneys can test case themes, presentations, and strategies without the pressure of a live courtroom. Our goal is to help you identify weaknesses, explore new approaches, and build confidence before trial.

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Confidentiality Comes First

From your initial inquiry to the feedback generated during a mock trial, we treat your case information with care. Our team members have experience working in plaintiff law firms and understand the importance of confidentiality. All participants are required to sign confidentiality agreements.

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Our Commitment to You

You cannot guarantee a particular verdict, but you can take meaningful steps to prepare for trial.

Our commitment is simple: Every focus group and mock trial should leave you better prepared, your strategy stronger, and your understanding of the case clearer.

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Additional Services​

TRIALPAD Trial Technology Presentation Training​

Learn to use Apple’s TrialPad to present documents, photographs, video, audio, and demonstrative evidence during trial. We provide hands-on training to help attorneys and their staff present evidence efficiently and confidently.

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IPEVO Technology Presentation Training

​Learn to use the IPEVO VZ-X document camera to present physical evidence, highlight details, and illustrate concepts for the jury in real time. Acclaimed trial attorney Mark Lanier has called IPEVO his “secret weapon” in the courtroom, using the technology to make complex information easier to see and understand.

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Trial Skills Training: Taught & Practiced

Newer lawyers: Learn the nuts and bolts of trying a personal injury case.  Updated and current techniques that are working for the best lawyers across the country.  Learn how and practice jury selection and all the other parts of a jury trial.  Brush up on the Rules of Evidence and how to deal with the most common objections in personal injury cases.  Practice laying the proper foundation for the evidence and demonstrative exhibits you will use.

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Experienced lawyers: The vast majority of us are rusty.  We do not go to trial regularly enough to keep our skills sharp.  Practice, tighten-up and get better at all aspects of the personal injury trial.