Get this course ($65.00)

The Power of Stories in Trial


Description

Michael made us better trial lawyers by making us powerful storytellers.

 Steven L. Harmon, Public Defender, Riverside County, CA 


Humans use stories to make choices and justify actions. This is especially true in criminal justice cases, where participants – especially jurors - undoubtedly rely on stereotypes and unconscious bias as they hear arguments and testimony, and review evidence. These powerful story dynamics impact the outcome of the case.

  • How are cases and trials like a story?
  • How can you structure your case like a story?
  • What is the “epiphany" and why is it so powerful?
  • What kinds of bias do jurors tend to have?
  • How can you use storytelling techniques in your case prep?

This course will answer these and other questions, covering practical storytelling techniques that you can use to create empathy and compel the jury to act on your client's behalf.

Target Audience

  • Criminal justice workers representing clients from marginalized populations.
  • Attorneys needing to argue a case before a jury or in mediation.
  • Social workers advocating for a client’s sentencing or creating mitigation memos.

Course Length

3-4 hours of instruction. Workship TBD.

Course Values

  • Empathy creates action.
  • Stories and storytelling are integral to our lives.
  • The justice system’s inherent biases can be corrected via storytelling.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how story creates juror bias in trials
  • Learn the basic mechanism of storytelling used successfully at jury trials
  • Explore how to apply storytelling technique to your case
  • Use storytelling techniques to create empathy and action

Instructor Biography

Michael Ahn is a trial narrative consultant who helps attorneys use story techniques in mediation and jury trials. Since 2016, Michael has consulted on hundreds of cases, with an 80% success rate, including acquittals on five trials where the client was facing a life sentence. Michael also creates damages narratives for personal injury cases and consults with social justice organizations on using story techniques in messaging on key issues.

Endorsements 

Michael’s trial consultation significantly contributed to a complete acquittal in a recent homicide trial. He discovers the truth of a case which allows attorneys to incorporate that truth into compelling narratives and archetypes during jury selection, opening, witness examination and closing. Michael receives my highest recommendation and I encourage any attorney trying a case to consult with him.

— Wil Rumble, Deputy Public Defender, Vista, CA


Michael worked on a horrific sex case and was able to assist the defense in finding a way to present the client compassionately. Michael will help you to re-focus your case. He is the perfect “second chair” who understands the work but sees it as a non-lawyer. His input is priceless.

— Sloan Ostbye, Supervising Attorney, San Diego, CA


Michael Ahn helped me distill my story into a powerful and persuasive narrative which enabled me to present a focused, theory-centered presentation to the jury. Using Michael’s unique skills and techniques, my case evolved into a story with clarity, emotion, and impact – everything necessary for a successful trial.

— Adam Hepburn, Deputy Public Defender


Michael Ahn knows how to craft your client’s story so that it is presented in a compelling way to the jury. A great consultant prior to trial!

— Elliott H. Jung, Deputy Public Defender


Michael’s storytelling techniques helped me focus the jury’s attention on what was important. Michael was especially useful for framing what originally seemed like weaknesses as some of our biggest narrative strengths.

— Matthew Cuthbertson, Deputy Public Defender


Michael’s storytelling techniques helped me persuade the jury and ultimately won my case - my client was acquitted of all charges.

— Olesya Adams, Deputy Public Defender

Content
  • SECTION 1 - OUR LIVES ARE STORIES
  • Course overview and introduction (5 min)
  • Story gets results (4 min)
  • "Yeah, but did he do it?" (5 min)
  • An example of "reflexive storytelling" (1 min)
  • SECTION 2 - A TRIAL IS A STORY
  • Competitive storytelling (5 min)
  • The jury as an audience (6 min)
  • Stereotypes and conviction bias (5 min)
  • Moving from stereotypes to archetypes (6 min)
  • Empowering the jury to right any wrong (6 min)
  • SECTION 3 - "CASE COMPLEXITY" AND NON-CONVICTIONS
  • Why do juries hang? (5 min)
  • The elements of "case complexity" (5 min)
  • Story creates "case complexity" (5 min)
  • Storytelling create a setting for justice (6 min)
  • Archetypes in a story: two examples (7 min)
  • SECTION 4 - WHAT IS A STORY?
  • What isn't a story? (5 min)
  • A story is a mechanism (7 min)
  • Examples of a story and a non-story (5 min)
  • SECTION 5 - THE DNA OF A STORY
  • People making choices (7 min)
  • Why vs. what, show vs. tell (6 min)
  • Character comes from choices (6 min)
  • An example of a stereotype becoming an archetype (6 min)
  • An archetype creates empathy (6 min)
  • Epiphany triggers empathy (8 min)
  • SECTION 6 - APPLYING STORYTELLING TO YOUR CASE
  • Establish the theme (9 min)
  • Assemble the story via action (7 min)
  • Review the story as actions (8 min)
  • Iterate and refine (6 min)
  • SECTION 7 - STORYTELLING IN EACH PHASE OF TRIAL
  • Voir dire and opening (8 min)
  • Direct and cross-examination (7 min)
  • Creating the epiphany, closing (8 min)
  • SECTION 8 - LESSONS LEARNED
  • Winning in prep, common mistakes (8 min)
  • Elements of a good story, key findings (9 min)
Completion rules
  • All units must be completed
Back