220. How Can Storytelling Transform Your Trial Work?

The Free Lawyer

In this podcast episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Keeley Blanchard, a trial attorney who has shifted her focus to teaching and jury consulting. They explore the critical role of storytelling in trial work, particularly in opening and closing statements. Keeley shares her insights on the science of storytelling, emphasizing the need to frame stories to resonate with jurors' cognitive frameworks. She introduces a unique approach that identifies a villain to elicit moral outrage and empower the jury. She uses storytelling techniques to frame the client's story. The discussion also covers the challenges of presenting complex cases succinctly and the impact of verdicts on society.

Keeley Blanchard spent two decades as a trial lawyer, trying over 70 cases to verdict during her career, all while obsessing over learning how to tell the most persuasive story. She now teaches and presents on trial skills for dozens of organizations nationwide and, in addition to LawStory, runs a grant-funded training program for public defenders. Keeley has spent years studying the brain science associated with storytelling, and has developed a signature story structure for trial stories, opening statements, and closing arguments. She uses that structure to help lawyers win more cases by telling creative and compelling trial stories. Her services include jury consulting, focus groups, client testimony preparation, and trial skills training.

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