Frequently Asked
Questions
About Focus Groups
What is a legal focus group?
A legal focus group gathers everyday people to discuss a real case and offer insights into how jurors might think about it at trial. Attorneys present elements of the case, such as background facts, witness testimony, or pieces of evidence, and ask participants to share their thoughts, impressions, and reactions. The goal is to better understand how different people interpret the case, what arguments seem persuasive or confusing, and which details stand out most. This helps legal teams anticipate how potential jurors may view the facts and develop better trial strategies.
Focus groups can be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the nature of the case and the needs of the law firm. A trained moderator — often an attorney or consultant — guides the discussion, ensuring every participant has an opportunity to speak and that the conversation remains balanced and productive. Legal focus groups play a vital role in trial preparation. They help uncover juror attitudes, biases, and community values that may influence verdicts. By listening to these insights early, lawyers can adapt their approach to better connect with real jurors and ensure that justice is served through clear, compelling advocacy.
Does my participation in a focus group matter?
Yes! Legal focus groups are a cornerstone of effective trial preparation because they bring the voice of the community into the legal process. For participants, it’s an opportunity to contribute to the pursuit of justice in a meaningful way. By sharing your honest perspective, you help shape how real cases are understood and argued in court. Your feedback ensures that the voices of everyday people — not just legal professionals — play a role in how justice is pursued. Ultimately, legal focus groups help bridge the gap between the courtroom and the community. They make the legal process more transparent, equitable, and informed by real-world perspectives.
Why Do I Have to Sign a Confidentiality Agreement?
All participants are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect the privacy of the case being discussed and to ensure the integrity of the research process. During a focus group, you may hear details, evidence, or discussions related to a real legal matter. These materials are shared with you solely for the purpose of the focus group and must remain private. The confidentiality agreement is a standard legal safeguard. It ensures that no participant discusses, records, or shares information from the session with anyone outside the group. This helps protect the rights and privacy of the people involved in the case, as well as the fairness of any future legal proceedings. By signing the agreement, you’re helping maintain a respectful and secure environment where everyone can speak freely and honestly.
Why Is the Name of the Law Firm Anonymous?
We keep the name of the law firm and the attorneys involved confidential during participant recruiting and throughout the focus group session to make sure the focus group remains unbiased. When participants know which law firm is conducting the study, it can unintentionally influence their opinions or reactions to the case. Additionally, the case that is the subject of the focus group may have received media attention. If the identity of the law firm is known to participants, media information about the case may influence opinions. By keeping the firm’s identity anonymous, we ensure that every participant responds only to the facts and issues presented — not to any assumptions about the people or organization behind the case. This helps us gather honest, objective feedback that more accurately reflects how real jurors might view the case in court. All information you receive will focus solely on the case materials needed for discussion, not on the identities of the attorneys or their clients. At the conclusion of the focus group, your focus group moderator will inform you of the identity of the law firm conducting the study.
Are the focus group results admissible in court?
No. Focus group sessions are for research and strategy purposes only. They are not part of any official legal proceeding.
Participation Details
Who can participate?
Anyone over the age of 18 who meets the residency requirements may be eligible. We seek participants from diverse backgrounds to ensure a fair representation of community perspectives.
Why does the focus group have a residency requirement?
Our focus groups are designed to reflect the perspectives of people who live in the same area where a case might eventually be tried. Because juries are selected from local communities, it’s important that our participants represent those same populations. Residency requirements help ensure that the feedback we gather accurately reflects the values, attitudes, and experiences of people in that specific region. This allows attorneys to better understand how local jurors might view the facts of a case and develop strategies that resonate with the community. In short, the residency requirement helps keep the focus group results realistic, relevant, and useful in preparing for trial. You will be required to show valid identification that confirms your place of residence before the start of the focus group session. Your form of identification will not be copied or used for any other purpose.
Do I need legal experience to participate?
No prior legal knowledge or experience is needed. In fact, we prefer everyday community members who can offer honest, unbiased viewpoints.
How long does a session last?
Most focus groups last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and discussion.
Where are focus groups held?
Sessions may be conducted in person or virtually via a secure online platform. You’ll receive clear instructions once selected. You can also visit our website and select the focus group session you are participating in to view location details. If the focus group will be held virtually, it will be clearly indicated on our website. If the focus group will be held in-person, the name of the city and state it will be conducted in will be listed as the location. Detailed map, location, and parking instructions will be sent to you via email if selected for participation.
What equipment do I need to participate in a virtual focus group?
All of our virtual focus groups are conducted through Zoom. To take part in a virtual focus group, you’ll need:
A desktop or laptop computer — participation cannot be done from a phone or tablet.
A built-in or external webcam so the moderator and other participants can see you.
A working microphone and speakers (or a headset) so you can clearly hear and share your thoughts.
A stable internet connection to ensure smooth audio and video throughout the session.
The Zoom application downloaded and installed before the session begins.
How will I need to prepare to participate in a virtual focus group?
Before your focus group starts, we recommend testing your internet connection, camera, and microphone to make sure everything works properly. Please note that participation must be from a desktop or laptop computer — phones and tablets cannot be used.
Why are focus groups recorded?
Focus group sessions are recorded to ensure that every comment, reaction, and insight is accurately captured. Because discussions can move quickly and cover many perspectives, recordings allow attorneys and researchers to review the conversation later in detail. All recordings are used strictly for internal purposes. They are stored securely and never shared outside the legal team conducting the study. Participants’ personal information and responses remain completely confidential, and recordings are handled in accordance with professional and ethical standards.
Recordings help the legal team:
Revisit participants’ exact words and tone for deeper analysis
Identify patterns, themes, and reactions that might be missed in real time
Compare feedback across multiple focus groups to strengthen case preparation
Compensation & Confidentiality
Do I get paid for participating?
Yes. We pay a flat fee to participants. Participants will receive a check as compensation for their time and input. The check will provided after the focus group session is completed.
Is my information kept confidential?
Absolutely. Your personal information and opinions are kept strictly confidential. All participants must agree not to share any details about the case or discussions outside the session.
Will my comments be recorded?
Sessions are often recorded for internal analysis only. Recordings are securely stored and not shared publicly.
Getting Involved
Do I get paid for participating?
Yes. We pay a flat fee to participants. Participants will receive a check as compensation for their time and input. The check will provided after the focus group session is completed.
Is my information kept confidential?
Absolutely. Your personal information and opinions are kept strictly confidential. All participants must agree not to share any details about the case or discussions outside the session.
How can I sign up to participate?
Complete our Online Registration Form for the session you want to participate in. We’ll contact you if you are selected.
What happens after I sign up?
If selected, you’ll receive an email with the session details, time, and further instructions. You may also be asked to complete a brief questionnaire to confirm eligibility. If you do not hear from us, you have not been selected. However, not being selected for a particular session does not mean you are not eligible. Our focus group sessions are limited in space, and it may be that the session filled up before we reached your application. You are welcome to register for another session in the future. You may also receive an email asking if you are interested in being contacted for future sessions.
Can I participate more than once?
Yes, though we limit frequency to ensure fresh perspectives. You may be invited to future sessions if you meet the criteria.
More Questions?
If your question was not answered, you can reach out to us through our Contact Page.