Trial Presentation

Judge declares mistrial in Roger Clemens perjury case

2011-07-18T13:58:00.000-04:00

....this is why you ALWAYS want to be working with a professional trial consultant.

The judge in the Roger Clemens federal perjury trial abruptly declared a mistrial on the second day of testimony after the government inadvertently allowed the jury to hear statements from a U.S. congressman discussing the credibility of one of the key witnesses against the former All-Star baseball pitcher.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton was livid Thursday that a video screen was left on in the courtroom while he and the lawyers privately discussed an issue away from the jury, and yet the jurors could clearly see written comments by U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) during a 2008 House hearing in which Clemens testified he never used steroids or other enhancement drugs.

"Sadly, I have reached this conclusion," Walton said.

At issue was an earlier ruling in which the judge said he would not allow outside testimony or evidence from others about the credibility of certain key witnesses, including Andy Pettitte, a former teammate of Clemens.

Yet appearing on the screen was a transcript of comments by Cummings discussing Pettitte's wife and Pettitte's credibility as one of the lead government witnesses against the seven-time Cy Young award winner.

The government was supposed to have redacted such comments, and was instructed to keep them away from the jury of 10 women and two men so as not to prejudice their deliberations.

"We'll never know what impact that will have on how this jury decides this case, when we have a man's liberty's at stake," said Walton, visibly angry. "I am troubled by this. The government should have been more cautious."

He added, "I don't see how I unring the bell" and keep the jury from considering what Pettitte's wife said and what Cummings thought of it.

"In my view, Mr. Pettitte's testimony is going to be critical as to whether this man goes to prison, and I can't in good faith leave this case where a man's liberty is at risk when the government should have assured we are not in this situation."

Prosecutors said the error was inadvertent. But Rusty Hardin of Houston, Clemens' chief defense attorney, seized on the problem and immediately asked for a mistrial.

"I like this jury," he said. "But…"

On the screen were written comments from Cummings discussing how Laura Pettitte has said her husband "told me he had a conversation with Roger Clemens and Roger admitted to him using human growth hormones." Clemens has insisted he never told Pettitte that he used HGH or steroids, even though his friend and former New York Yankees teammate has said otherwise.

Yet Cummings, from his comments, seemed to believe Pettitte over Clemens.

Cummings' comments were then addressed to Clemens, and his sworn statements that he never told Pettitte he used the drugs.

"If that were true," Cummings' comments continued on the video, "why would Laura Pettitte remember her husband telling her about that?"

Clemens had been charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements in the latest criminal trial dealing with Major League Baseballplayers and steroids and other enhancement drugs.

Before ending the trial, the judge left the bench to confer about what to do. But he severely admonished the prosecutors.

"Government counsel doesn't do just what government counsel can get away with doing," he said. "And a first-year law student knows you can't alter the credibility of one witness with clearly inadmissible evidence."

A chagrined judge then dismissed the jury.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he told jurors, "we have taken about a week out of your life. We expended a lot of your taxpayers money to reach this point. Unfortunately there are rules we play by and those rules are designed to insure that both parties receive a fair trial."

The judge continued a gag order precluding Clemens and attorneys and prosecutors discussing the case -- at least until a hearing on Sept. 2 to decide how or whether to jump start the case.

As he left the courtroom, Hardin said, "I would have liked to have gone forward. But we just didn't have a choice."

Richard.serrano@latimes.com

NEW Company Brochure Now Available!!

2010-11-09T10:39:00.003-05:00

Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. is pleased to announce the release of our New DVD Brochure!!

In keeping with our cutting edge technologies and innovative presentations our DVD brochure profiles our newest products and services for litigating attorneys to present their cases to win!

This brochure is chock-full of our award winning examples of:
Exhibits
Timelines
Animations
Multimedia
Presentations
Day-in-the life Video
Trial Presentations

Cases shown include: medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, corporate, patent, environmental, employment and insurance litigation and more.

Check out “The Bright Ideas Company” at www.Med-Art.com

To receive our complimentary brochure:

Call: 1-888-715-0784

Or Email: DonnaDaly@med-art.com

Don't Take a Chance: Hire a Pro to Do Your Trial Presentation

2010-03-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Debunking the Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations
I recently attended a legal conference where I discussed the services of our company – Med Art & Legal Graphics – with attorneys from across the country. It was good to see many old friends who have used our demonstrative evidence exhibits & trial presentations with much success. Still, I ran into a fair number who said, “I don’t use that kind of stuff.”
Granted, not all cases require exhibits. However, I feel I should address some…um…myths (for lack of a better term) I have heard from attorneys regarding the use of “that kind of stuff.”
This is the third in a 5-part series of the most common myths regarding the use of demonstrative exhibits and litigation presentation tools.

MYTH 3: Graphic exhibits won’t be admissible.

When exhibits are prepared by Certified Medical Illustrators, then reviewed and approved by the treating physician or other expert to be true, fair and accurate, they are always accepted into evidence.

A skilled attorney will have her/his exhibits prepared by a professional – like Med Art & Legal Graphics -- who works with experts to get the necessary approval every step of the way. This applies equally to crime scene exhibits, accident orientation depictions and all other illustrative mediums.

For those of you DIY folks, take note of what Ed Josiah of GREYHAWK North America has to say in his treatise, “Demonstrative Evidence Evidentiary Issues & Laying a Proper Foundation:”

“When casually measured and hastily prepared diagrams are used to pinpoint specific placement of crucial evidence, or to verify eyewitness visibility, they step over the boundary of their original intent and may create a false picture of the evidence.”

Don’t risk exhibit inadmissibility: Contact the professionals at Med Art & Legal Graphics Company – 888-715-0784. Or, visit our website at www.med-art.com.

Note: For statutory guidelines, see Federal Rules of Evidence 901, 902, and 1001-1004.evidence.

30 Top Tips for Working With Acrobat 9

2009-11-18T10:24:00.001-05:00

Med Art has found the BEST TIPS for ACROBAT ...so here they are, share them with only your closest friends!

Don't Short-Change Yourself at Trial

2009-11-16T09:10:00.002-05:00

Have everything you think you need for trial DIGITIZED and in your trial software. If a document pertains to your case, have it scanned and accessible from your presentation database. If a video clip might be admissible, have it digitized and accessible. A small investment in document imaging or video prep will often times save countless headaches and rush expenses at trial time.

This is not the time to be penny wise and pound foolish.

For sound advice on trial presentation needs your first step is to call Med Art & Legal Graphics. Trial is too important to leave to the last minute or to people who aren't qualified. In most cases you have sent years developing a case that you don't want compromised because your message was damaged by a faulty and confusing delivery.

Don't Overextend and Become Underexposed

2009-11-10T10:07:00.003-05:00

Don’t overextend your software: Programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Corel Presentations are great for linear presentations such as opening/closing arguments or mediation/arbitration arguments. However, for complex litigation and witness examination – the ability to display documents quickly and in any order illustrates to the jury that you are making an effort to be organized and efficient with their time. Courtroom specific annotation tools such as TrialDirector, TrialPro, Sanction and others offer simple document annotation tools, video manipulation, and nonlinear exhibit access in one streamlined package.

Don’t overextend yourself: If your trial involves hundreds of documents and graphic exhibits, or countless hours of video clips; trust the database and clip preparation to a qualified courtroom technology consultant so that you can remain focused on your case without distraction.
...originally posted by Alex Rosen

For sound advice on trial presentation needs your first step is to call Med Art & Legal Graphics. Trial is too important to leave to the last minute or to people who aren't qualified. In most cases you have sent years developing a case that you don't want compromised because your message was damaged by a faulty and confusing delivery.

Maximize the Impact of Trial Exhibits

2009-11-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. can help you put together powerful trial presentations and highly persuasive exhibits. However, no matter how compelling your exhibits are, they’re worthless if the jurors can’t hear the audio clearly, can’t see the video or are unable to read your exhibit.

Med Art goes to court with you to present exhibits for maximum effectiveness while you focus on presenting your case. This is especially important if the case is exhibit-intensive.

When you’re on your own, however, fear not: Here are some tips provided by Trial Theater to maximize the impact of your exhibits:

1. How to guarantee that the jury hears every word of your recorded statement. As you start playing the audio recording, cup your hand over your ear and make eye contact with each and every juror. Non-verbally, you’re asking them if they can hear the statement. If they can hear it, they’ll nod their heads in agreement or give you a “thumbs-up” sign. If they can’t hear, they’ll give you a non-verbal clue to raise the volume (or maybe even tell you, “Turn it up, I can’t hear!”)

Here’s an added benefit: Making eye contact with each juror forces you to “check in” with them, so you can evaluate how things are going.

2. How to guarantee that the jury sees your video. Get to the courtroom early and set up your video display. Turn on your video, then climb into the jury box. Sit in every seat in the jury box so you can see what your jurors will see. Do you need to crane your neck to see the video? When you move to the end of each row, does it become difficult to see the video screen? Is the screen too close? Too far? Make any adjustments now, before the jury gets here, so you can be assured that they’ll see your evidence.

Once you start playing the video for the jury, you’ll want to repeat the step outlined above to ensure that they can hear the recording. While you’re making eye contact with each juror, track their sightline. Can they actually see the video? Are they actually looking at it? If not, make any necessary adjustments so they can view your evidence.

3. How to guarantee that the jury reads your exhibit. If you’re presenting written exhibits to the jury (such as posters of the jury instructions or blow-ups of contract highlights) you want to make sure the jury actually reads your exhibit. To make sure they have enough time to read it, quietly read through the entire exhibit to yourself twice. You’re already familiar with the exhibit, so you’re going to read through it faster than your jurors will. After your second read-through, take a moment to make eye contact with every juror. Look at their eye movement. If they’re looking at you, they’re ready for you to proceed. But if you see they’re still reading, don’t say anything yet. Wait until everyone has finished reading before you or your witness say anything about the exhibit.

Tips from the Courthouse: Don't Try Be Disney!

2009-11-06T10:27:00.003-05:00

Trial Presentation is intended to keep attorneys organized and efficient, while allowing the judge and jury to easily follow your facts and opinion. Some attorneys will attempt to bring “smoke & mirrors” to WOW the audience in the attempts to hold their attention and sway their minds. Use the technology to give you quick access to evidence and clearly highlight your key points. Don’t use technology to try and overwhelm the jury with fancy animation and colorful illustration. If it doesn't bring content and clarity to to story Forget It. Juries see through this tactic and you may lose their trust. They do respect getting to information quickly and clearly, because ultimately their main objective is get the info, decide on the case and GO HOME!

For more Trial Tips from Med Art please feel free to subscribe to Trial Presentation Blog or go to Med Art & Legal Graphics web site to see more demonstrative evidence examples.

Litigation Presentation & Exhibit Myths Debunked

2009-11-04T07:08:00.003-05:00

Debunking the Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations

I recently attended a legal conference in sunny Arizona where I discussed the services of our company – Med Art & Legal Graphics – with attorneys from across the country. It was good to see many old friends who have used our demonstrative evidence exhibits & trial presentations with much success. Still, I ran into a few who told me, “I don’t use that kind of stuff.”

Granted, not all cases require exhibits. However, I feel I should address some…um…myths (for lack of a better term) I have heard from attorneys regarding the use of “that kind of stuff.”

Below, I debunk the 5 most common myths. I will also provide hints to help you to clarify the facts & fortify your case through the use of demonstrative exhibits and litigation presentation tools…for all budgets.

MYTH 1: We don’t go to trial, so we don’t need big, splashy graphics.

Splashy graphics? Probably not. However, you still need to present your case in a concise & compelling manner. Fumbling around with boxes of documents and MRI films in a manila folder is a red flag to opposing counsel: You might as well go to Kinkos & buy a banner saying “I am sooo not ready to go to trial!”

We offer many options that communicate the facts of the case in mediation/settlement while sending the clear message, “We’re ready, bring it on!” Briefly, in order of expense…

o Illustration (or “board”): We can take stock art and make minimal modifications, or enhance xrays/MRI films, to present a clear picture of the injury(s) in your case at a very modest price.

o Interactive PDF Presentation: These incorporate all case facts – depo clips, accident scene photos, before/after pix, photos, enhanced films, EFM strips, comprehensive depiction of injuries – in easy-to-use file that you can email, burn to disc or simply pull up with no special software. The PDFs are so easyto work with, they make TrialDirector look like quantum physics! And they’re surprisingly affordable.

o Day-In-the-Life/Wrongful Death Video: We take photos, video footage, family interviews, depo clips, medical records and all other relevant information… and put it together into a well-scripted, compelling presentation for display via video screen or laptop. And the price would surprise you: The benefits far outweigh the cost.

Many other options exist that fall in between these there basic levels of communication in terms of simplicity and cost. Med Art & Legal Graphics provides free, no-obligation quotes to determine the appropriate medium given your case facts and budget.

MYTH 2: My case doesn’t warrant the expense.

Winning is the object, right? But if the jury (or settlement panel) can’t visualize the damages, why bother?

A picture’s worth a thousand words. The complexities of human anatomy escape most people – jurors & judges alike – unless they have a visual aid to guide them. A medically accurate drawing created by a Certified Medical Illustrator(CMI) and placed within the jury’s view throughout trial will have a dramatic impact… and generally for less than $1,000.

To see examples of exhibits depicting all types on anatomy, visit the “Gallery” section of our website – www.med-art.com.

MYTH 3: Graphic exhibits won’t be admissible.

For those of you DIY folks, take note of what Ed Josiah of GREYHAWK North America has to say in his treatise, “Demonstrative Evidence Evidentiary Issues & Laying a Proper Foundation:”

Don’t risk exhibit inadmissibility: Contact the professionals at Med Art & Legal Graphics Company – 888-715-0784. Or, visit our website at www.med-art.com.

MYTH 4: People are tired of PowerPoint presentations (or… computer-generated exhibits are too slick for my audience).
No trial or settlement presentation should look too slick… or like a yellow-letters-on-blue-background cliché.
A good trial presentation incorporates exhibits and other case elements to reinforce key facts. Here's a few things an effective presentation might include: Before/after photos of the victim; crime/accident scene photos or schematic diagram; deposition clips; audio clips of 911 call; medical illustration or enhanced xray/MRI; 2D or 3D model to depict a single injury or an interactive 3D model to illustrate multiple injuries; and more.
If your presentation is merely a series of text slides with a clipart image or two thrown in, leave your laptop at home!
Professionals with more than 20 years of courtroom experience nationwide (like Med Art & Legal Graphics) KNOW what works. We know how to communicate key case facts clearly & concisely, without pyrotechnics or other distracting gizmometry…or the blandness of a high school English lecture. We create our exhibits and presentations for one reason: To make a complex issue clear to your audience.

MYTH 5: “I can do it myself.”
Armed with the latest litigation software, attorneys with complex cases might be tempted to go it alone…to disastrous effect. When opposing counsel throws you a curve ball, you need to be framing your next argument…not searching the database for the document you need to refute your opponent’s assertion.
o Dedicated Trial Consultants. Med Art & Legal Graphics has dedicated trial consultants who go to court with you. They know your case and are poised to pull up the necessary documents as scripted or on the fly. They take the guesswork out of complex litigation situations and allow you to do what you do best – present a winning case.
o Litigation Software Training. Our years of experience and understanding of litigation software packages – including TrialDirector, Sanction and others – enable us to provide attorneys, paralegals and assistants with the necessary training to effectively use these programs for trial prep and presentation.
o Presentation Preparation for Trial or Mediation. We create presentations to meet the specific needs of your case – whether for trial, mediation or settlement. Our new interactive PDF presentations are a great tool for combining a variety of exhibits & case elements into one easy-to-use file. To request an example, call us at 888-963-3278.
o Exhibits Creation. We provide all types of exhibits, from basic stock illustrations to complex 3D models. Worried abt cost? We provide consultation and no-obligation quotes free of charge.
Contact Med Art & Legal Graphics at 888-963-3278 for all your litigation presentation needs!

Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations

2009-11-03T08:35:00.004-05:00

MYTH 5: “I can do it myself.”

Armed with the latest litigation software, attorneys with complex cases might be tempted to go it alone…to disastrous effect. When opposing counsel throws you a curve ball, you need to be framing your next argument…not searching the database for the document you need to refute your opponent’s assertion.

o Dedicated Trial Consultants. Med Art & Legal Graphics has dedicated trial consultants who go to court with you. They know your case and are poised to pull up the necessary documents as scripted or on the fly. They take the guesswork out of complex litigation situations and allow you to do what you do best – present a winning case.

o Litigation Software Training. Our years of experience and understanding of litigation software packages – including TrialDirector, Sanction and others – enable us to provide attorneys, paralegals and assistants with the necessary training to effectively use these programs for trial prep and presentation.

o Presentation Preparation for Trial or Mediation. We create presentations to meet the specific needs of your case – whether for trial, mediation or settlement. Our new interactive PDF presentations are a great tool for combining a variety of exhibits & case elements into one easy-to-use file. To request an example, call us at 888-963-3278.

o Exhibits Creation. We provide all types of exhibits, from basic stock illustrations to complex 3D models. Worried abt cost? We provide consultation and no-obligation quotes free of charge.
Contact Med Art & Legal Graphics at 888-963-3278 for all your litigation presentation needs!

2009-11-02T07:45:00.003-05:00

MYTH 4: People are tired of PowerPoint presentations (or… computer-generated exhibits are too slick for my audience).

No trial or settlement presentation should look too slick… or like a yellow-letters-on-blue-background cliché.

A good trial presentation incorporates exhibits and other case elements to reinforce key facts. Here's a few things an effective presentation might include: Before/after photos of the victim; crime/accident scene photos or schematic diagram; deposition clips; audio clips of 911 call; medical illustration or enhanced xray/MRI; 2D or 3D model to depict a single injury or an interactive 3D model to illustrate multiple injuries; and more.

If your presentation is merely a series of text slides with a clipart image or two thrown in, leave your laptop at home!

Professionals with more than 20 years of courtroom experience nationwide (like Med Art & Legal Graphics) KNOW what works. We know how to communicate key case facts clearly & concisely, without pyrotechnics or other distracting gizmometry…or the blandness of a high school English lecture. We create our exhibits and presentations for one reason: To make a complex issue clear to your audience.

Med Art & Legal Graphics professionals will review your case and recommend the best way of presenting the facts... free of charge! To learn more, contact us at 888-963-3278.

Don't Leave It to Chance: Hire a Pro for Exhibits

2009-10-29T05:32:00.005-04:00

Debunking the Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations

I recently attended a legal conference where I discussed the services of our company – Med Art & Legal Graphics – with attorneys from across the country. It was good to see many old friends who have used our demonstrative evidence exhibits & trial presentations with much success. Still, I ran into a fair number who said, “I don’t use that kind of stuff.”

Granted, not all cases require exhibits. However, I feel I should address some…um…myths (for lack of a better term) I have heard from attorneys regarding the use of “that kind of stuff.”

This is the third in a 5-part series of the most common myths regarding the use of demonstrative exhibits and litigation presentation tools.

MYTH 3: Graphic exhibits won’t be admissible.

For those of you DIY folks, take note of what Ed Josiah of GREYHAWK North America has to say in his treatise, “Demonstrative Evidence Evidentiary Issues & Laying a Proper Foundation:”

Don’t risk exhibit inadmissibility: Contact the professionals at Med Art & Legal Graphics Company – 888-715-0784. Or, visit our website at www.med-art.com.

Note: For statutory guidelines, see Federal Rules of Evidence 901, 902, and 1001-1004.evidence.

Day 2: Trial Exhibits Don't Have to Cost an Arm & a Leg

2009-10-27T10:09:00.005-04:00

Day 2: Exhibits That Don't Cost an Arm & a Leg

Debunking the Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations

Granted, not all cases require exhibits. However, I feel I should address these misconceptions I have heard from attorneys regarding the use of “that kind of stuff.”

This week, I will debunk the 5 most common myths. I will also provide hints to help you to clarify the facts & fortify your case through the use of demonstrative exhibits and litigation presentation tools…for all budgets.

MYTH 2: My case doesn’t warrant the expense.
Winning is the object, right? But if the jury (or settlement panel) can’t visualize the damages, why bother?
A picture’s worth a thousand words. The complexities of human anatomy escape most people – jurors & judges alike – unless they have a visual aid to guide them. A medically accurate drawing created by a Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) and placed within the jury’s view throughout trial will have a dramatic impact… and generally for less than $1,000.

To see examples of exhibits depicting all types on anatomy, visit the “Gallery” section of our website – www.med-art.com.

Litigation Myths Debunked

2009-10-26T10:51:00.006-04:00

Debunking the Myths of Litigation Exhibits & Presentations

Granted, not all cases require exhibits. However, I feel I should address some…um…myths (for lack of a better term) I have heard from attorneys regarding the use of “that kind of stuff.”

Over the next 5 days, I will debunk the 5 most common myths. I will also provide hints to help you to clarify the facts & fortify your case through the use of demonstrative exhibits and litigation presentation tools…for all budgets.

MYTH 1: We don’t go to trial, so we don’t need big, splashy graphics.

We offer many options that communicate the facts of the case in mediation/settlement while sending the clear message, “We’re ready, bring it on!” Briefly, in order of expense…

o Illustration (or “board”): We can take stock art and make minimal modifications, or enhance xrays/MRI films, to present a clear picture of the injury(s) in your case at a very modest price.

o Interactive PDF Presentation: These incorporate all case facts – depo clips, accident scene photos, before/after pix, photos, enhanced films, EFM strips, comprehensive depiction of injuries – in easy-to-use file that you can email, burn to disc or simply pull up with no special software. The PDFs are so easy to work with, they make TrialDirector look like quantum physics! And they’re surprisingly affordable.

To see an example of an Interactive PDF Presentation, email me at lauraquine@med-art.com.

Save BOLD Fonts for Words That Need to POP!

2009-10-22T09:52:00.002-04:00

Do Not Use BOLD fonts for all of your text. Keep the bold font for one or two word/phrases. That way they will stick out (which is the point of the BOLD font).

What to do as a presentation designer? Design your slide without bold fonts initially, and only add bold as a last resort. Your first tool of emphasis should be to increase the size of the font/

To highlight a single word, rather than inflating a whole sentence
To give more contrast to text written over an image as a background
To highlight a label in 10pt font or smaller in a complex diagram such as an IT system architecture

Remember ALL is NOTHING. For more tips on how to create award winning presentations please feel free to contact Med Art & Legal Graphics or give me a call at 888-963-3278.

Tips For Creating a Good PowerPoint Slide

2009-10-21T10:17:00.008-04:00

Powerpoint gives us infinite ways to be creative and infinite ways to create ineffective presentations ... if we are not careful. Here at Med Art & Legal Graphics we have been creating Clean, Concise and Effective presentations for over 20 years. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Don’t copy & paste slides from different sources.
Keep the design very basic and simple. It shall not distract.
Pick an easy to read font face.
Carefully select font sizes for headers and text.
Leave room for highlights, such as images or take home messages.
Decorate scarcely but well.
Restrict the room your design takes up and don’t ever let the design restrict your message.

For more examples of effective Powerpoint presentations and many other types of visual communications please feel free to go to Med Art's webpage. www.med-art.com

Buying a Projector ...Where do I START!!

2009-10-20T10:32:00.002-04:00

OK ...you got your PowerPoint presentation fine-tuned and ready for court, but how are the jurors going to see it? You're going to need a LCD Projector. Here are a few tips to make the process easier to deal with.

Projectors come in all sizes and shapes. Suitable projectors range from $500 to $5,000 and beyond. Beware, at the lower end of the price scale image quality generally suffers. If purchasing here are some factors to consider.

Weight
Consider a lighter model if you have to carry it to court often. If you have cooperative staff this may not be a worry. What you often gain in portability you may lose in brightness.
Brightness
Units of brightness are measured in ANSI (American National Standard Institute) lumens. Generally, projectors run between 500 and 2000 lumens. The more lumens the brighter your presentation will be. Above 2000 lumens is considered high-performance and can get you into expensive territory. Don’t go below 1000 lumens
Contrast
The higher the contrast ratio, the greater the projector's ability to show subtle colour detail and operate in a well lit courtroom. This may become important when showing photographs. Look for contrast ratios over 500:1. A ratio over 1200:1 is considered high contrast giving you crisp, vibrant colours.
Resolution
This refers to the clarity of the picture produced by your projector and is usually quoted using two numbers, i.e. 800 x 600, where the first number is the number of pixels from side to side across the screen, and the second the number of pixels from top to bottom.

A pixel (a distorted shortening of picture element) is the most basic unit of an image – the dot. The more pixels the better – the more pixels the higher the price.

Resolution is also quoted in letters i.e. SVGA – Super Video Graphics Array or XGA – eXtended Graphic Array.

The resolution of your projector will be no better than your computer’s resolution. Therefore it’s best if the projector resolution matches your laptop screen resolution, which for newer models is XGA or 1024 x 768 and up. Unless you have an old laptop consider a projector with XGA resolution, which will give you clearer images, especially for small photographic details.
Fan Noise
Older and less expensive projectors have fans that make a lot of noise which can interfere with the court recording system and worse: the tier of fact’s hearing. Get a projector that’s quiet – this may be more costly but worth it. It’ll avoid the court recorder having to tell you to move the projector to the far and inconvenient side of the court room.

taken from:

Best of ABA TECHSHOW®: The Trial Tech Toolkit

By Tim Piganelli and Nils Jensen

Converting Color PDF to Greyscale PDF (An Update)

2009-10-19T09:18:00.003-04:00

Why would you want to convert Color PDF to a Black and White PDF? Well, let's say you have a 6 inch stack of records you need to send to the expert TODAY!! Your default is color on the scanner .... so, the file is unnecessarily huge. Med Art & Legal Graphics will help you make that file considerably smaller making it easier to email to your expert ...saving the day.

Converting Color PDFs to Grayscale or Black and White in Acrobat 9

It's rare to find color printers or copiers widely deployed in law firms. When color documents appear in discovery, firms don't always know what to do with them. Examples include PPT files, images scanned in full color, etc.

Acrobat files can contain color and non-color elements:

RGB: Red, Green, Blue color
CMYK: Cyan, Yellow, Magenta and Black
Greyscale: Shades of gray ranging from 0 (white) to to 256 (black) in value
Monochrome: Black and White

RGB or CMYK image-only PDFs, in particular, can be quite large. Converting these PDFs to grayscale or black can reduce the size of the file and speed printing.

Other times, litigation support departments will have to satisfy the odd attorney who prefers to read grayscale documents.

Whatever the reason, it is fairly easy to convert RGB or CMYK PDFs to Greyscale. It's a bit more difficult to convert to monochrome, but I've included a workaround for that, too.

You'll need Acrobat Pro to make this work for you . . .

Converting PDFs from Color to Grayscale

To convert an RGB PDF to Grayscale

Open a color PDF.
Choose Advanced—> Preflight
Twirl open the PDF Fixups area
In the Preflight window
A) Choose the Convert to grayscale fixup
B) Click the Analyze and Fix button
Acrobat will ask you to name the file and allow you to choose a location to save it.

Converting many Color PDFs to Grayscale using a Preflight Droplet

A preflight droplet is an intelligent icon you can drag and drop files to for conversion.

Follow these steps to create a Preflight droplet:

Choose Advanced—> Preflight
Twirl open the PDF Fixups area and select Convert to Grayscale
Locate the Options button:
Click on the Options button and choose Create New Preflight Droplet
The Droplet Setup window appears. You can adjust many options:

A) Choose a folder where you wish to place converted PDFs
B) Choose a folder for any PDFs which do not convert

Note: There are many other options here for reporting.
Click the Save . . . button and save the droplet file to your desktop. It looks like this:

Using the Convert to Grayscale Preflight Droplet

To use the droplet, you need to drag and drop files onto it.

Select the files you wish to convert and drag them on top of the preflight droplet:

Note: Preflight droplets cannot process folders. You can use Batch Processing to convert entire folders (and subfolders) to grayscale. Choose Advanced—> Document Processing—> Batch Processing . . .

One of the Batch commands available is Preflight.

Converting to Monochrome

Unfortunately, Acrobat cannot convert documents to monochrome directly. The workaround is to convert to monochrome TIFF and then re-convert to Acrobat.

This process works well for image-only color PDFs. PDF Normal documents— containing vector fonts and text— will no longer be searchable unless OCR is performed after conversion.

To convert a PDF to Monochrome TIFF

Choose File—> Export—> Image —> TIFF
Click the Settings button
Set as below:

Acrobat will convert each page to an individual TIFF file numbered sequentially:

To recombine the files:

Click the Combine button in the Acrobat toolbar and chooseMerge Files into a single PDF . . .
The Combine Files window opens. Click the Add Files . . .button at the top of the window.
Locate the file or folder of files you wish to combine.
Click the Combine files button.

Originally posted by Rick Borstein on Acrobat for Legal Professionals. http://blogs.adobe.com/acrolaw/2009/10/converting_color_pdf_to_greyscal.html

If You Want Someone To Read It ...Give Visual Incentives!

2009-10-16T09:37:00.003-04:00

Long gone is the day of boring black and white text booklets of endless facts. If you really want someone to read what you have so patiently prepared, give them something that will visually stimulate them ...draw them into your information. At Med Art & Legal Graphics this is our specialty, we will take your information and make it clear, concise, and visually interesting.

Be as visual as possible.
written by: Joe Kashi (attorney and litigator)

Don’t be sparing in your use of digital photography and video clips within pleadings, particularly summary judgment motions. We are now definitely living in a highly visual age. Grey text and long-winded testimony isn’t as effective as a few striking photos or drop-dead deposition video clips.

At this point, if a deposition is worth taking, it is worth taking as a videotaped deposition. The cost differential isn’t that high and a videotaped deposition, once it is digitized and the transcript text synchronized, is far more useful in pleadings and in court. If you need telling deposition testimony to make a point in a pleading, in opening or closing, in cross-examination or to present as direct testimony, it is far more powerful and far more useful as a video clip than as dry text. Over the past five or six years, I have almost always rued taking a text-only deposition - almost inevitably, something was said that would have been much more useful as video.

As a secondary aspect, consider altering your deposition style so that you will have more short “sound bites” that might make useful video clips at trial. I prefer short video clips on the order of 30 seconds to not more than two minutes.

Combine all related pleadings into a single sequential file. For example, if you are dealing with a summary judgment motion, then rather than storing all of the documents separately, which become more time-consuming and harder to finder, make a single summary judgment file, starting with the Motion, then appending the memo, affidavits, exhibits, and other supporting documents. When any opposition, Rule 56f motion, reply, orders, etc are filed, then append these documents as well, in consecutive order. At the conclusion, you will have a complete history of the entire motion in one file and in consecutive order.

The original copy of certain types of documents, particularly photographic and video files, should be stored unaltered and in their original format both for later ease of use in case you need to print clean copies without photographic compression distortions and also in case you need to authenticate the photographs. It’s handy to embed working copies of these sorts of files into Acrobat documents but you must save the originals in their original format as well. I didn’t do so in one case and that omission caused me a lot of grief.

For more on Adobe's Typewriter Tool, view Adobe Tips.

Scan in discovery that the other side sends to you and then use Acrobat 7's typewriter tool to fill in the responses directly into the blanks under each discovery item. When I first showed this feature to my secretary, she found this feature to be a real time saver.

For heaven’s sake, remember that your electronic files are now your entire office.

Do a complete backup every night and take it off premises.

About the Author

Joe Kashi is an attorney and litigator living in Soldotna, Alaska, who is active in the Law Practice Management Section and a technology editor for Law Practice Today. He has written regularly on legal technology for the Law Practice Management Section, Law Office Computing magazine and other publications since 1990. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from MIT in 1973 and his J.D. from Georgetown University in 1976, and is admitted to practice in Alaska, Pennsylvania, the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Create a new Document which Summarizes Redactions (in Acrobat 9.0)

2009-10-15T09:36:00.001-04:00

If you were headed to meeting with the other side, and you expected some challenges to your privileged and redacted documents, you might want to create a summarized version of your redacted documents to take with you.

This process creates a new, consolidated PDF. Redaction annotations are displayed as call-outs on the document:

To create a summarized document:

Open the document containing your redaction marks.
(You need to run this step before you apply redactions.)
Choose Comments—> Summarize Comments
The Summarize Options window will appear. I suggest choosing the second option:
Click the Create PDF Comment Summary button.

Setting a Preference to automatically copy selected text into the Redaction Comment

One of the best aspects of how redaction works in Acrobat is that each redaction mark is a standard Acrobat comment. When you double-click on a redaction mark, a sticky note will pop into which you can add your own text:

In the sticky note you might add some information about why you are redacting the information, or even include the text that is to be redacted. Later, when the other side disputes privilege, you can refer to these notes.

Sometimes, it is simply helpful to copy the text you are going to redact into the note itself. That way, you'll know what you redacted when you summarize the document (the last tip!).

Here's how:

Choose Edit—> Preferences (Windows) or Acrobat—> Preferences (Mac)
Select the Commenting category from the list on the left:
Enable the check box labeled "Copy Selected Text into Highlight, Crossout, and Underline comment pop-ups
Click OK

When you select text using the Mark for Redaction tool, the text will automatically be copied into the sticky note:

taken from:
http://blogs.adobe.com/acrolaw/2009/07/redaction_tips_and_techniques_fo.html

How to SAFELY Redact Documents on Adobe Acrobat 9

2009-10-14T11:16:00.004-04:00

OK ...we've all been there. A late night redacting hundreds of documents and at some point we go into zombie mode and we override a document instead of making a new one. The sun comes up and your boss rolls in and asks for that ONE document (unedited) that you overrode .....arrrrggggggggg!

Med Art is here to help you avoid that altercation.

Automatically Rename Redacted Files

When Acrobat applies redactions, the text, image or data is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. For this reason, Acrobat will give you a stern warning when you apply redactions:

The operative message above is that when you apply redactions you will be prompted to rename your document the next time you save your document.

Let's say you ignore this warning and try to save over your original document. You'll receive another warning similar to the one below:

If you ignore this warning, you can save over your original file.

To protect against accidentally saving over a file, you can set a preference to automatically rename redacted documents.

Here's how:

Choose Edit—> Preferences (Windows) or Acrobat—> Preferences (Mac)
Select the Documents category from the list on the left:
At the bottom of the window, enable the check box labeled "Adjust filename when saving applied redaction marks"
Click OK

The next time you apply redaction marks and save your document, Acrobat will automatically include the _Redacted suffix in the Save dialog:

taken from:
http://blogs.adobe.com/acrolaw/2009/07/redaction_tips_and_techniques_fo.html

Checklist for Using Courtroom Technology: Summary

2009-10-12T16:02:00.006-04:00

Keep Focus on Your Client’s Story…Not Technical Difficulties!

An attorney recently told me he would never use any form of technology in the courtroom: He always got a shiver of joy when he saw opposing counsel show up with a laptop, as he anticipated the myriad of technical difficulties that would ultimately and inevitably shift the verdict in his favor.

Used correctly, however, technology in the courtroom will fortify your client’s story and render your case far more compelling. Preparation is the key.

Over the next five days, I will unfold a checklist to ensure you keep the jury focused on your message!
__________________________________

The first item on the list involves the projector -- the tool that enables you to reinforce your verbal message with powerful visual images. Your ability to move seamlessly to the images you wish to display hinges on doing the groundwork in advance!

PROJECTOR

COMPATIBILITY: Make sure your computer is compatible with the courtroom projector
CABLES: Be sure to have all the necessary cables & connections
CORDS: Where are the outlets you will need to plug into? Think of...
ELECTRICAL OUTLET LOCATIONS – basic yet oh so critical!
EXTENSION CORDS – an essential if outlets are limited
DUCT TAPE – no need for undo embarrassment or an additional lawsuit because someone -- possibly you! -- trips over electrical cords

__________________________________

Positioning is critical: The impact of your visual message will be lost if the jurors can't see it, or if the audio you wish to play (911 call? heartbeats on an EFM?) can't be heard! Do the legwork beforehand to ensure your message is delivered clearly and efficiently.

POSITION

CONFIGURE: Map out where every piece of equipment will go, with connection points and electrical outlets included
CONSIDER LINES OF SIGHT: Is there a glare that will impede a juror’s view of the screen? These tasks seem simple in concept. However, old courtrooms can be quirky. Don’t be caught off guard!

Know how to:

ADJUST THE SCREEN ANGLE
DRAW THE BLINDS
DIM THE LIGHTS
ADJUST THE AUDIO: Always do this before the jury enters the room. Old courtrooms can have funky acoustics. What you hear at the podium may be unintelligible to those sitting in the jury box

__________________________________

Your visual message should fortify what you say, not repeat it. This is especially true if you are using PowerPoint. Keep your written slides broken up into easily digestible bites. Your presentation is intended to emphasize the facts -- it's not a script for you to follow. Keep it short and simple.

Consider a stop sign: It merely says, "STOP." Just think what would happen if the sign read "WILL YOU PLEASE DRAW YOUR CAR SLOWLY & STEADILY TO A HALT?"

EDIT

Make sure type faces are no smaller than 24 pt
Try to have your slides abide by my rule… No more than 14 bullets points of 7 words or 7 points of 4 word
Know how your projector works
If you are going to be putting a deposition or other text-intensive document onto the court-provided projector, make sure you know how to use its enlargement function or have a blown-up copy of the passage you plan to use
Preview your presentation or visual aids in advance to make sure they are clearly visible at a distance comparable to the gulf between the screen and the jury box

_______________________________

You have invested time & effort developing your case. Don't skimp on the investment with a guaranteed payoff. Practice, practice, practice!

PREPARE

CREATE LINKS FOR YOUR DESKTOP: Clearly label all files you might use and directly link them to icons on your desktop. Arrange them logically.
CLEAN UP YOUR DESKTOP: The only icons on your desktop should be the ones you will potentially use. You don't need that off-color joke that your buddy emailed you last week accidently popping up on the screen!
PRACTICE: Pull up each file, sub-file, etc. Make sure every link to every file works properly

HOWEVER, if you skipped a few prep steps & run into a snag in the courtroom, don't panic ...

PREVARICATE: If you happen to be asked for a document you didn't anticipate using and aren’t sure if you are opening the right file…
PLACE: Put a piece of paper over the projector to black out the screen until you are sure you have the correct document
PAUSE: Cough, sneeze or yawn. You will be surprised at how many of the jurors follow suit… thus diverting their attention while you regroup
PRODUCE: You have the file…simply say “Excuse me,” take a sip of water, then deliver your slam dunk!

In trial, a lot is on the line. If you wish to be sure that your case is presented effectively, give Med Art & Legal Graphics a call. Our team of dedicated trial specialists, certified medical illustrators and demonstrative exhibit professionals will make a winning case every time!!!

To learn more about effective courtroom techniques or the latest in trial presentation technology, contact Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. Visit us on our website at www.Med-Art.com, or call me, Laura Quine, at 770-891-3103.

Software to SAFELY DRIVE with Messaging Systems

2009-10-02T10:03:00.007-04:00

Med Art & Legal Graphics knows how busy ALL our clients are and how connected they are into their clients. Here are a few bits of technology to help them stay safe.

Voice on the Go

Speak Your Email - Listen to email and compose email and SMS by voice, all without typing.
Hands-free and eyes-free access to your email, SMS, calendar, contacts, Twitter, Facebook and more...from any mobile phone all by Voice.
Voice on the Go allows you to stay connected, easily, while driving or any other time.

DriveSafe.ly

DriveSafe.ly is a mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone. DriveSafe.ly is the solution to texting while driving.

ZoomSafer

ZoomSafer is software and services for mobile phones to prevent distracted driving. It’s simple to download and easy to install.

ZoomSafer uses GPS in combination with client software installed on your phone to determine when you’re moving faster than 10 mph. When driving, we activate our safe driving services to minimize distractions and keep you focused on the road.

PowerPoint Slide Design ...KISS Principle

2009-10-01T10:01:00.004-04:00

Design is not decoration. Design is about making conscious decisions about inclusion and exclusion. Simplicity is powerful. Simplicity “comes from an intelligent desire for clarity that gets to the essence of an issue, something which is not easy to do.”
Make your audience feel something. Example: You’re explaining the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Do you use bullet points, data, and talking points? Or do you show pictures of the wreckage and flooding and human suffering?

KISS Principle - Keep It Simple Stupid.

For more information on how to create attention catching (and holding) exhibits. Visit Med Art & Legal Graphics website.

Can Using Images Off the Internet Get Me Sued?

2009-09-30T10:44:00.007-04:00

If you are searching the web looking for images for your next trial here are a few tips to keep it legal. One of the best ways to find images is on Google Images. It's fast and it's free, two of the best things around. But are these images really FREE? Are there copyright and usage issues to be aware of? The secret is the advanced search settings. One of the search criteria is "Usage Rights." It allows you several options "labeled for commercial reuse" being the the option you are likely to want. Here is a short video tutorial from John Marshall law student Jessica Dobias:

From Google’s Webpage:

In the Usage Rights drop-down, select one of the following options:
Labeled for reuse: Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy and/or modify the image in ways specified in the license.
Labeled for commercial reuse: Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy the image for commercial purposes, in ways specified in the license.
Labeled for reuse with modification: Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy and modify the image in ways specified in the license.
Labeled for commercial reuse with modification: Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy the image for commercial purposes and modify it in ways specified in the license.

For her full article: How to Use Google Images and Not Get Sued. One thing you will want to be careful of is to check the actual terms of the license.

Just grabbing photos off of Google does not give you the right to use them for whatever reason. Be Aware, Be Thorough and Be Smart.

TIP: Courtroom Exhibits Reinforce Key Witness Testimony

2009-09-29T08:06:00.006-04:00

When a Picture ISN'T Worth a 1000 Words...

Don't let the testimony of the key witness in your automobile case hinge on a crudely-drawn impromptu sketch to illustrate how the accident occured!

To get an aerial photo or street view photo, go to http://maps.google.com/, type the address in the search box & click on the "satellite" option. Zoom in or out, then have the result blown up & mounted on a board. In court, the witness can point or draw a simple line to reinforce the verbal testimony. As they say, an accurate picture is worth a thousand words!

At Med Art & Legal Graphics Co., we can help you with all your exhibit needs!

Interactive PDFs from Med Art & Legal Graphics!!

2009-09-28T09:25:00.002-04:00

"The Bright Ideas Company" has done it again with our Interactive PDF Presentations!! These PDF presentations are a "No Brainer". They are easy to use, require no learning and ALWAYS Work!! Imagine having ALL your case trial exhibits, photographs, documents, video deposition clips, timelines, graphics and more in ONE PDF file. Just click on the PDF file and it will automatically open with Adobe Reader. Additionally, the PDF file can be emailed or added to a CD-ROM or uploaded to the internet to be viewed by judges, insurance adjusters, experts or co-counsel.

The example shown above is a demand package presentation created for a personal injury case (for the full animated version click here). The PDF file was designed to be easily navigated simply by clicking on the images you want to see. All types of files can be viewed in our PDF presentations including 3D models, (just like the rotating male figure seen above), medical illustrations, medical animations, video clips, CT, MRI or X-Ray images or movies can also be displayed. How about including video clips of the Treating Physician's testimony or IME's testimony regarding your client's damages and future prognosis?? These powerful presentations work extremely well for settling cases or for use in mediation. We should know, Med Art has been helping our clients successfully present their cases for over 20 years!

Creating the PERFECT Powerpoint Printout

2009-09-23T10:02:00.003-04:00

This is an except from "Speaking About Presenting" by Olivia Mitchell

Having a printout of your slides means that you know the next slide before you click your remote. No longer do you have to click before you open your mouth. You can introduce slides, you can take turns with your slides – you can dance with your slides.
Your audience will be more engaged, because your presentation is not a repetitive sequence of click-speak, click-speak, click-speak.
You can jump between slides to respond to an audience question.

But none of the print options within PowerPoint give you quite what you need. The ideal printout of your PowerPoint slides has:

The number of each slide so that you can jump between slides (enter the number of the slide on your keyboard and press ‘Enter’).
About 15 slides to an A4 landscape page, so that you can see a large chunk of slides at any one time and don’t need to constantly turn over the page to see what’s next.

The ideal PowerPoint slide printout

This screencast walks you through the steps to create the ideal PowerPoint slide printout:

And here’s the steps in hardcopy if you want to be able to quickly refer to them:

Click on View menu, then click on the Slidesorter View.
In the Slidesorter View adjust the size of the slides so that you can get the right number within the screenshot. 66% gives you 15 slides which I find about right.
Press the “PrintScreen” key on your keyboard. This will paste your current screenshot into the clipboard.
Go back to the View menu and click on Normal View.
Create a blank side at the end of your presentation.
Right-click on the slide and click Paste to paste the screenshot from the clipboard onto the slide.
Click on the screenshot to select it – this will bring up the Picture Toolbar. Click on the Crop button and crop the screenshot so that you’re left with only the slides.
Print the slide by clicking on File, Print. Click on Current Slide or enter the number of the slide and click OK.

Powerpoint Slide Design for the Court ....SIMPLE!

2009-09-22T10:06:00.004-04:00

Avoid the temptation to dress up your pages with cheesy effects and focus instead on simple design basics.

The key design principles are:

Use a simple background – decorative templates add clutter.
Use a sans serif font such as arial or helvetica.
Use text which contrasts well with the background.
If you’re using photos have them fill the whole screen and put your text on top of them. If necessary use a semi-transparent rectangle – a mask – behind the text to ensure that it is readable.
For some Great examples of Presentations designed for the Court ... Med Art & Legal Graphics does a wonderful job. Look through their examples.

Now That You Have The Slide Content ...Add The PERFECT Image.

2009-09-21T09:32:00.009-04:00

When adding an image to your slide remember that it should add clarity not confusion, for more info read this article ( Picture Is Worth Thousand Words)

Here are a few image types you can add to a slide.

An image or photograph which directly represents or is a metaphor for what you’re talking about.
A diagram which helps your audience understand the concept you’re describing.A graph which shows the meaning of your data.
A flowchart that demonstrates the process you’re explaining.

Keep the content in mind when adding images to the slide ... if it doesn't clarify the story GET RID OF IT!

One Point Per Slide - The Powerpoint Way

2009-09-18T09:43:00.005-04:00

Take each main point of your presentation and express it as a short and succinct statement. Put each statement on one slide. In the beginning try to avoid Bullets because:

Bullets are the speaker’s notes in disguise. Take them off the screen and put them in your hand or on the table/lectern in front of you.
Having bullets on your slide and talking at the same time harms the ability of your audience to take in your message.

Trust yourself to tell your story without have each point recreated with a word. Remember ...they are there to hear you, not see a Powerpoint presentation. Your presentation should ASSIST not DOMINATE.

Planning for Your Presentation

2009-09-17T10:16:00.004-04:00

Step #1 - Step away from the computer.

Instead focus on your audience and what you want them to take away from the presentation. What do you want them to do? How do you want them to think differently? What do you want them to remember? This will become your Key Message.

Then structure the flow of your presentation around what your audience will want to know.

DON"T WRITE OUT A SCRIPT. What you are writing is more of a outline. A script locks you into things that you may not want to get out of because of the time it took to write.

Presenting is about communicating ideas – not exact words and sentences. So instead of a script create a set of notes for yourself. Your notes don’t say what you want to say – they remind you of what you want to say. For more guidance on creating notes. Then you can focus on connecting with your audience.

Once you’ve created the structure and flow of your presentation, you can start creating slides.

Don't Let Powerpoint OVERSHADDOW YOU!

2009-09-15T09:26:00.004-04:00

PowerPoint can take your audience when the slideshow becomes the center of attention. Commonly, presentations start with a title slide followed by Topic-Bullet list slides. The presenter stands at the side of the room, speaking to the slides (read "Don't Let Powerpoint Steal Your Creditability") and the screen steals the show. Audiences report that this style of presenting is boring, patronising and a rip-off of their time.

Solution – Remember, you are a presenter not a projectionist. Place yourself in the center of the room and have the screen slightly to your side. Introduce your slides before you show them – so that your audience sees that you are running the show – not the show running you.

And occasionally use a blank slide – forcing the audience to be totally focused on you. The beginning and end of your presentation are ideal times to use this powerful technique.

Bullet Points TAKING AWAY CLARITY From a Presentation?

2009-09-14T09:05:00.006-04:00

Bullet list can also take clarity AWAY from your presentation. The Topic-Bullet list format consists of a topic heading such as “Ways to help an audience remember” and then underneath, a bulleted list of those ways. Such a slide has limited effectiveness as a hand-out. The lists of words create distraction and confusion – ideal circumstances for committing a robbery.

And it’s the clarity of your message that’s being stolen.

Solution – use Assertion-Evidence slides.The headline of your slide should be an assertion – the point you’re making, such as “Your audience will only remember what they process”. The rest of the slide provides evidence to support this be it anecdotal, statistical or the recommendation of a credible expert.

Don't Let Powerpoint Rob Your Credibility!

2009-09-11T11:09:00.007-04:00

Powerpoint can steal your credibility if you use a slide to remind yourself what to say. It doesn’t matter how few words you use, the audience can see what you’re doing. Even though you don’t have notes in your hand, there’s an con going on. You’re pretending that you don’t need notes. But…your notes are on the screen – everyone can see them. And as a result, instead of you being the credible source of the information, the screen is. Create notes on paper using brief key words and phrases. That leaves your slides to be a visual stimulus for your audience – not verbal cues for you. For more tips and exhibit ideas visit Med Art & Legal Graphics website or give them a call 888-715-0784.

WHEN to Use a Timeline

2009-09-10T09:25:00.003-04:00

Timelines can be a useful way of showing what needs to happen next and the order in which things need to happen. However, I would caution against using timelines of the past unless your topic is historical. It might encourage you to talk too much about the ‘background’ to the detriment of the present and the future - which is of far more interest to your audience. Let Med Art & Legal Graphics experienced staff help you design the perfect exhibit to clarify you case. More more information feel free to visit our website or call, toll free 888-715-0784

Charts & Graphs ...How Much Is TOO MUCH?

2009-09-09T10:52:00.003-04:00

When creating charts and graphs I would try not to import these directly from Excel into PowerPoint. Create your chart in PowerPoint and only include the numbers which are required to make your point. And then explain the meaning of the data. It’s very tempting when you’ve got a whole lot of data to include all of it, but this only obscures the point you’re making (and if there’s no point to it - don’t include it). For some Great examples check out Med Art and Legal Graphics Charts and Graphs.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Good and Bad)

2009-09-08T09:02:00.002-04:00

Photos are great for impact and evoking emotion. They can be illustrations of the real thing or a metaphor for what you’re talking about. If you have a hard time trying to think of a metaphor simply start writing words to describe your metaphor, don't stop at 5 get 20 or more words. If you’re telling a story to make your point, then the image should relate to that story. It will help the audience make the link between your point and the story.

Don’t use irrelevent photos for the sake of adding visual interest. It’s better to have no visual than a confusing visual, because a bad graphic can confuse the audience just as easy as it can clarify your point. Med Art has a vast collection of graphics we have used to clarify thousands of stories. Feel free to visit our stock library. http://www.med-art.com/Galleries.aspx

How to Create the PERFECT BULLET: Part 1

2009-09-04T09:06:00.005-04:00

Writing an Assertion

1. Look at your bullet-point slide and work out the single point you are trying to make with the slide. For instance with the statement could be “The Defenent was not paying attention”. Now write your assertion as a complete sentence.

2. The assertion should be short, but not so short that it’s cryptic. It’s more important for the assertion to say something meaningful, than to be short.

3. The assertion should not be a question - a question doesn’t leverage the power of displaying your point on the slide. The assertion should be the answer to the question.

Use Google Voice with your mobile phone

2009-09-01T09:51:00.002-04:00

Recently, Google Voice released a mobile application for Android and Blackberry devices. The application allows users to dial on their cell phones and have the call appear to come from their Google Voice number.

The mobile application is a terrific complement for Google Voice. Although I have had a Google Voice number for quite some time, it often seemed useless. Even though people could call me on my Google Voice phone number, whenever I called them it would show up with my cell phone number, thus defeating the purpose.

Now my Blackberry allows me to dial using the Google Voice phone number and not reveal my personal cell phone number to the people I am calling. Google Voice can also be used to send and receive text messages. With the mobile program, that has become significantly easier and more useful.

Google Voice – Call screening | YouTube
Google Voice – Conference calling | YouTube

Med Art Honored as GTLA Preferred Partner!

2009-08-28T10:33:00.002-04:00

Med Art is honored to be invited as a"Preferred Partner" with the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association! We have been proud to serve the trial lawyers of Georgia for the past 5 years!

In July, 2004, Med Art opened a full service production office in the Atlanta area, providing case review and presentation stragedies, the creation of exhibits, animations and interactive presentations. Additionally we provide trial presentation services for medication or trial.

Contact Southeast Office: ShelleyWatts@med-art.com

Contact Northeast Office: PatMurphy@med-art.com

Farewell Mr. Kennedy

2009-08-27T11:04:00.004-04:00

Sen. Kennedy was a friend of the same individuals our country’s trial attorneys are fighting for: the victims. He was committed to protecting our nation’s legal system and was dedicated to social justice. He fought for those injured in the workplace or by unsafe products. He staunchly supported health care reform for all Americans. Sen. Kennedy’s distinguished career in the U.S. Senate will stand forever as a model of compassionate leadership.

“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” – Sen. Edward M. Kennedy

Admitted Exhibit List ...Easy Stuff!

2009-08-25T09:34:00.002-04:00

Compiling a list of exhibits over the course of a trial can be a pain. TrialDirector has a very easy way to compile a list of all exhibits that have been admitted, or marked for admission.

You must be in Presentation mode for this function to work While the exhibit is on the screen, type in -AD, then Once done, TrialDirector saves the exhibit in a Workbook called Admitted, subsequently saved by date admitted. Caution: If any markups have been applied to the exhibit while in presentation mode, they will not be saved when admitting it. You would also need to click on the camera button to take a screenshot with any markups applied.

Create INSTANT Presentations

2009-08-24T09:20:00.003-04:00

One of the electronic tools attorneys seem to have no problem embracing in a trial setting are PowerPoint presentations. A tool like Trial Director seems to be so scary. But scary no more! A tool like Presentation Scripts allows for PowerPoint-like functionality in the court room, only with all Trial Director's bells and whistles! This function allows you to organize your exhibits in the order you wish to present them, save them, then display them one-by-one in the courtroom with a single-click of the space bar! Here's how you do it:

Create a workbook and populate it with the exhibits you wish to present, then organize them in the order you want to present them in. Right-click on the workbook and find Send Workbook Contents to Presentation Script. You only have two options: 1) Give it a name and/or 2) have each slide advance automatically every [x] amount of seconds. Click OK. Remember what you called it, as there is no indication anywhere that you just did this. Go to presentation mode. Type in the name of your presentation script (just like you would any exhibit) and hit enter. Voila! Your first exhibit is displayed, and advances every time you hit the space bar (except where you've entered a number of seconds for an automatic slide advance). Note: This functionality works in both 4.x and 5.x versions. In 4.x, you work with Folders rather than Workbooks, but the process is the same.

For more information on Indata's Trial Director or any other presentation software please visit our Services page.

If Teachers Talked Six Minutes Less Per Lesson...

2009-08-21T09:02:00.004-04:00

Ruhl, K. L., Hughes, C. A., & Schloss, P. J. (1987, Winter). Using the pause procedure to enhance lecture recall. Teacher Education and Special Education, 14-18.
In this study an instructor paused for two minutes on three occasions during each of five lectures: the intervals ranged from 12 to 18 minutes. During the pauses, while students worked in pairs to discuss and rework their notes, no interaction occurred between instructor and students. At the end of each lecture, students were given three minutes to write down everything they could remember from the lecture (free recall); 12 days after the last lecture, the students were also given a 65 item multiple-choice test to measure long-term retention. A control group received the same lectures (using the same anecdotes and visual aids) and was similarly tested. In two separate courses repeated over two semesters, the results were striking and consistent: Students hearing the lectures while the instructor paused did significantly better on the free recall and the comprehensive test. In fact, the magnitude of the difference in mean scores between the two groups was large enough to make a difference of two letter grades depending upon cutoff points!
The implication of this research is staggering, for it essentially says that if we talk six minutes less, students learn more.Undoubtedly these counterintuitive results stem from two things: 1) the short lectures (12-18 minutes) are consistent with the research that suggests that students’ ability to retain information falls off substantially after 10-20 minutes; and 2) by engaging in an activity that reinforces the information presented, student learning should be increased. This study of Ruhl and others clearly suggests that we have an opportunity to include short, active-learning activities into our lectures with no loss to the content learned. Indeed, students seem to learn more from the process.
What Does This Mean to a TRIAL LAWYER?
The attention span of jury members is similar to that of the students in the study. Especially when dealing with complex or highly technical issues, breaking the material up into 6-10 minute segments will increase the audience’s ability to retain what you say. Simply recap at the end of each segment and pause to let the information sink in.

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #10

2009-08-19T09:23:00.002-04:00

10. KNOW WHEN TO GET HELP

If you have the time and resources to do all of this yourself, and if it will not risk the outcome of your case, go for it. Most of these tips are relatively basic, but like anything else, they can become time-consuming.

If you do not have the time to devote to this type of preparation, or if it is just something that would divert precious time away from more important responsibilities, you should consider assistance. Someone in your office, an outside graphics vendor, or trial consultant can tackle the production chores and can even be present during the trial, following along with a copy of your outline and advancing the slides for you. This assistance enables you to focus on connecting with the jury.

Cost is important, but should not impede the best possible representation of your client. A case worth trying is a case worth presenting properly, effectively, and efficiently. If that means bringing in some help, so be it.

If you do find that you need assistance, a trial is not the time for bargain-hunting. Make sure your entire team is trained and experienced, and not just learning the ropes on your (or your client's) dime.

For more assistance on PowerPoint presentations or other Presentation Inovations feel free to visit Med Art's Home page. http://www.med-art.com/Home.aspx

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #9

2009-08-18T09:15:00.003-04:00

9. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Once you've completed your outline and have created all of the desired graphics to help your jury better understand your message, you should make a note where each slide should be displayed. Doing so will help you remember to change each slide at the proper time.

You should rehearse your opening or closing, and use the slides to make sure everything flows smoothly and makes sense. You might find that you need some extra visual support in one area, or that you don't really need it in another. Quickly reading and reviewing your outline is much different than actually presenting it. You should have an idea how long it will take, and adjust if necessary.

It is also helpful to do this in front of others, such as in a mock trial or in front of a jury consultant. If this is not feasible, you might at least present it to others in your office or family. Attorneys generally know all of the fine details of their case so well that when explaining it to a jury, they can easily forget that others do not have the same degree of understanding.

TWITTER bonus tip: Should you need to make adjustments such as skipping a section and your notes indicate which slide number is to be presented, you can type in that number and then hit the Enter key. It will go directly to that slide, preventing you from flashing through a series of slides that you no longer want to use.

For examples of PowerPoint presentations and many other Presentation Inovations feel free to visit Med Art's Product page. http://www.med-art.com/Products.aspx

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #8

2009-08-17T09:43:00.003-04:00

8. HIGHLIGHTING YOUR TEXT AND DOCUMENTS

Where's the highlighter tool? This is not Microsoft Word, so you will have to be a little more creative if you want to highlight your documents.

If you've ever seen TrialDirector, you know what it is supposed to look like. If you've ever seen a slide with pale yellow washed out text that is supposed to be highlighted, you know what it looks like when it's done wrong (or at least, not as nice as it could be). Many lawyers highlight by drawing a box around the desired text and then choosing a pale yellow semi-transparent fill -- it really doesn't look very nice.

For text, you have a couple choices. One is to place white text inside a black background or text frame, and then simply use a yellow font color on the portion you'd like to highlight. People refer to this method as "reverse text."

Another way is to create a rectangle with a white fill color and cover the text, then make that rectangle 50% transparent. With the bulk of the text screened back now create a text block with the highlighted text on top of the transparent screen. Making the highlighted text block bigger will also POP the information out.

For documents, you are better off doing the highlighting in TrialDirector and capturing a screenshot. It is a very helpful program for such tasks.

For examples of this idea and many other Presentation Inovations feel free to visit Med Art's Product page. http://www.med-art.com/Products.aspx

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #7

2009-08-14T09:26:00.005-04:00

7. ADD VIDEO OR AUDIO CLIPS

As with images, you can resize a video clip as well, using the same techniques described above. There is no reason to have a tiny video window playing on a big slide. It is generally a good idea to fill the entire slide with the video.

As for audio clips, you might have a blank slide, or you might even have the transcript or text showing as the audio plays. If your audio file displays an icon on the screen during the presentation, you can simply move it out of view on the slide layout. It will still play just fine.

One little caveat: Have you ever seen video on a PowerPoint slide that won't play, even though you can see a still picture of the video clip? The reason may be that someone has copied or moved the presentation from one location to another. The program searches for the file, and it's not there.

One way to make sure you include it in a copy is to use PowerPoint's "Pack and Go" or "Package for CD" feature. This feature will ensure that all embedded files are included with the presentation.

For examples of this idea and many other Presentation Inovations feel free to visit Med Art's Product page. http://www.med-art.com/Products.aspx

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #6

2009-08-13T08:58:00.005-04:00

6. RESIZE YOUR IMAGES TO FIT THE SLIDE

It is relatively simple to add photos or documents to your slides. You can copy and paste them from a file folder, from another program that has an image showing, or you can use the PowerPoint program menus to insert any number of different items.

Once you have placed the image on the slide, don't just leave it where and how it lands by default. If you click on the image, you can then resize it, move it exactly where you'd like. Depending on the type of image, you may also be able to lighten or darken it, crop it, and/or otherwise modify it.

A resizing trick: hold down the Shift key while grabbing the corner of the image, and it will maintain its original shape. In other words, it won't distort the image into a tall and skinny version of the original.

If the image is too large for the slide, you can drag it or scroll until you can see a corner, then resize. When dragging an image, if you get near the corner of the slide, it will tend to "stick" there, helping you align it.

For examples of this idea and many other Presentation Inovations feel free to visit Med Art's Product page. http://www.med-art.com/Products.aspx

Should You Use Technology In The Courtroom? Pro & Con

2009-08-11T16:28:00.003-04:00

Pro.

Dart Jackson, Director of Business Development and Chief Counsel, Litigation Presentation Inc.

Recent research proves that when a visual presentation strategy is employed to amplify oral arguments and presentations, it increases the likelihood of winning at trial. Why? Because it makes the facts presented clearer. Emerging courtroom presentation technologies include applying color theory and psychology in the design of demonstratives that increase retention for the trier of fact (i.e., judges or juries). Jurors are well accustomed to entertaining commercials, Web sites and even newscasts. New technologies utilizing visual strategy mimic these experiences.

Increasingly, progressive lawyers are successfully implementing new technologies and the competitive landscape requires all lawyers to learn about --- and utilize --- them. When effective communication and presentation theories are applied, along with proper trial preparation and presentation skills, it naturally strengthens the litigator's argument. Further, it builds credibility and increases both the jury and judge's understanding of facts.

Con.

Dax E. Lopez, Attorney Foltz Martin LLC

There is no doubt that when used appropriately, and in the right amount, technology can be a powerful tool to effectively communicate with a jury. However, technology should not be relied upon as a substitute for an attorney's presentation and oratory skills. Attorneys known for winning at trial have learned the ability to draw in even the most challenging juries by developing a strong theme, choosing the most material facts, and conveying those ideas using the right synchronization of well articulated phrases, tone, body movement, and properly placed pauses. These techniques, if honed and mastered, can be just as effective in entertaining and enlightening a jury as any technology-based presentation.

Indeed, an attorney's ability to paint a vivid picture using good old fashioned story telling techniques can render flashy or dramatic visuals unnecessary. Moreover, these skills are invaluable to salvaging a case if there is a technology failure in court, or if some courtroom visuals are objected to and precluded from being presented to the jury. In the end, technology in the courtroom should serve as a complement to, but not a substitute for an attorney's well crafted presentation skills.

Edited by Tom Sabulis, tsabulis@ajc.com

Tom Sabulis
AJC External Content
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
72 Marietta St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

404-526-5453
tsabulis@ajc.com

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #5

2009-08-11T09:52:00.002-04:00

5. Avoid the TOO MUCH INFORMATION (TMI) Situation

While it may be tempting to fit the entire text of a key paragraph on a single slide, it might result in the text being too small to be legible. Remember, when designing your slides, you are right in front of your monitor. Try stepping back 10 or more feet and see how it looks then.

Another problem with too much information (TMI) on one slide is that it tempts a juror to read ahead, possibly resulting in loss of concentration.

Bullet points are also known as speaking points -- not reading points. In other words, if you choose to show a bullet-point outline to your jury, do not include the entire text -- only the outline topic point. Don't display and then just read to the jurors the content of the slide showing on the big screen in front of them. Doing so is boring.

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #4

2009-08-10T09:28:00.002-04:00

4. USE PROPER FONTS

An often ignored secret in graphic design is the proper choice of a font. A sans-serif font, such as Arial or Verdana, is best used in non-printed media, including trial presentation slides. Sans-serif fonts do not have the little tips (serif) on the letters.

Times New Roman is often used in typed and printed documents, but it is more difficult to read when projected onto a screen so don't use it in your slides. Save Times New Roman and other serifs for your motions and pleadings.

For more Trial Presentation ideas please feel free to visit Med Art's Galleries

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #3

2009-08-07T10:26:00.005-04:00

#3 - COLOR!!!!

When designing graphics, you can easily forget the medium you intend to use to display the end product. In other words, what you see on your computer monitor is not necessarily what the jury will see when projected onto a big screen or on a printed posterboard blow-up in court.

As the case is presented, anything visually distracting, too bright, too dark, or too difficult to read will have a cumulative effect, eventually resulting in loss of focus, concentration, and of course retention. While the color white is the default for most document and graphics programs, it is not the best color when viewing different types of images. It is much easier on the eyes to use a darker color, such as gray or blue. You may certainly use other colors, but the idea is to soften the background so as not to make it more difficult to view the important part of the slide, be it a document, photo, or text.

For more information on color please feel free to refer to the "What Do Colors Really Mean" blog post done on Monday, August 3rd.

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #2

2009-08-06T08:57:00.004-04:00

2. KEEP IT BASIC

PowerPoint is a wonderful tool -- perhaps too wonderful at times. Never forget who the audience is, and the why they are there. Just because the program has a bunch of bells and whistles (read: fly-ins and fancy background options) doesn't mean you have to use them. The courtroom is no place for twirling text sailing into place for the next bullet point, nor do you need to utilize the vast assortment of design themes included in the program.

Unless you'd like your jury to think you're trying to amuse, entertain, or otherwise present your evidence in an obviously condescending manner, I advise making it look like every other professionally-created graphic used in court. There is a reason they all appear similar in design -- simple, clean, and often with a soft blue background.

Top Ten PowerPoint Tips #1

2009-08-05T09:14:00.005-04:00

1. BEGIN BY CREATING AN OUTLINE

Do not get distracted by trying to develop your story with pictures. The slides you will use do not tell the story -- rather they help to clarify the points you are making. You should initially prepare your outline as though you had no visual support. The story should stand on its own, and should be convincing.

Then, you can review the outline, noting any place that might warrant adding a visual, such as mention of a certain document, a description where a photo or drawing might help illustrate the point, or even videotaped testimony of a witness. All of these elements can and should be considered.

Deposition Tip: Use Exhibits Regularly During Video Depositions

2009-08-04T09:40:00.004-04:00

You can create a more interesting and visually-compelling videotaped deposition by showing the witness an exhibit every so often. When you are preparing for trial, you can set up the video playback to display the exhibit on the screen as the witness is being questioned about it. Or have the videographer zoom into portions of the exhibits while the expert is referring to them. Be sure and warn the videographer you want to do this ahead of time, so they can set up the shot.

This will break up the monotonous continuing screen-shot of the witness which becomes tedious after ten or fifteen minutes.

What Do Colors Really Mean!

2009-08-03T09:09:00.005-04:00

Below is an article by Susan Gunelius on color branding, it applies to the use of color on exhibits. Think about what the color you use in exhibits, because color can Help and Hinder.

Color Branding: The Meanings Behind Colors

August 14, 2007 by Susan Gunelius

Blue: Cool blue is perceived as trustworthy, dependable, fiscally responsible and secure. Strongly associated with the sky and sea, blue is serene and universally well-liked. Blue is an especially popular color with financial institutions, as its message of stability inspires trust.

Red: Red activates your pituitary gland, increasing your heart rate and causing you to breathe more rapidly. This visceral response makes red aggressive, energetic, provocative and attention-grabbing. Count on red to evoke a passionate response, albeit not always a favorable one. For example, red can represent danger or indebtedness.

Green: In general, green connotes health, freshness and serenity. However, green’s meaning varies with its many shades. Deeper greens are associated with wealth or prestige, while light greens are calming.

Yellow: In every society, yellow is associated with the sun. Thus, it communicates optimism, positivism, light and warmth. Certain shades seem to motivate and stimulate creative thought and energy. The eye sees bright yellows before any other color, making them great for point-of-purchase displays.

Purple: Purple is a color favored by creative types. With its blend of passionate red and tranquil blue, it evokes mystery, sophistication, spirituality and royalty. Lavender evokes nostalgia and sentimentality.

Pink: Pink’s message varies by intensity. Hot pinks convey energy, youthfulness, fun and excitement and are recommended for less expensive or trendy products for women or girls. Dusty pinks appear sentimental. Lighter pinks are more romantic.

Orange: Cheerful orange evokes exuberance, fun and vitality. With the drama of red plus the cheer of yellow, orange is viewed as gregarious and often childlike. Research indicates its lighter shades appeal to an upscale market. Peach tones work well with healthcare, restaurants and beauty salons.

Brown: This earthy color conveys simplicity, durability and stability. It can also elicit a negative response from consumers who relate to it as dirty. Certain shades of brown, like terracotta, can convey an upscale look. From a functional perspective, brown tends to hide dirt, making it a logical choice for some trucking and industrial companies.

Black: Black is serious, bold, powerful and classic. It creates drama and connotes sophistication. Black works well for expensive products, but can also make a product look heavy.

White: White connotes simplicity, cleanliness and purity. The human eye views white as a brilliant color, so it immediately catches the eye in signage. White is often used with infant and health-related products.

http://www.bizzia.com/brandcurve/color-branding-the-meanings-behind-colors/

GTLA - 2009 Auto Torts Workshop

2009-07-31T11:13:00.009-04:00

Med Art busy at work ... Shelley and Fran discussing how to best present your personal injury case at GTLA's 2009 Auto Torts Workshop in Amelia Island, FL. For examples of their work click here.

PowerPoint Tip of the Day!

2009-07-30T08:59:00.005-04:00

Don't want the automatic "End of slide show" slide at the end of your presentation? Open Options and uncheck "End with black slide". For great PowerPoint samples visit Med Art & Legal Graphics website http://www.med-art.com/Products.aspx

Med Art is Exhibiting at Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Auto Torts Seminar

2009-07-29T10:29:00.003-04:00

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
GTLA 2009 Auto Torts Workshop
Please stop by our booth and see our NEW Interactive PDF presentations!!! THEY ARE COST EFFECTIVE- EXTREMELY EASY TO USE!
Amelia Island, FL
7/30/2009
2 Days
Representatives:
Shelley Watts, President;
Fran Twelkemeier, Sales and Business Manager

$2.5 Million Jury Verdict on Alabama Wrongful Death Case!!

2009-07-28T14:24:00.003-04:00

"We recently had the pleasure of working with ALAJ-Fellows member, Shelley Watts, president of Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. Med Art was hired to help us create visuals we could use during the trial of a Nursing Home Negligence/Wrongful Death case.

Shelley is a real professional to work with. She designed compelling exhibits to visually educate the jury to the facts and key issues in this case. We relied upon Med Art’s Medical Illustrations and Timeline throughout trial and found them to be tremendously useful to the jury. The end result was a $2.5 Million verdict for our clients! We were very pleased with our experience with Med Art & Legal Graphics Co., and would recommend them to others who are in need of these types of services."

Susan Silvernail, Managing Partner

Derrick Mills, Associate

Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C.

Birmingham, AL

Med Art on TWITTER!!

2009-07-28T12:21:00.005-04:00

Med Art is now on Twitter!

Join us and receive a "Tip of the Day" ...a useful bit of information about the presentation of information from seasoned veterans!!! Follow us at http://twitter.com/MedArtTech

INTERACTIVE PDF PRESENTATIONS!

2009-07-27T15:11:00.007-04:00

GPS Winner

2008-07-30T13:34:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Dr. Ron Kaplan of Kaplan & Lukowski in Atlanta for winning our Garmin Nuvi GPS at the AAJ Annual Convention in Philadelphia! For those of you that attended the Annual Convention, we hope you had a great time and enjoyed the seminars.

We invite you to visit our website at www.med-art.com to learn about all the services Med Art can provide to you during your case preparation and trial presentations. If you would like to discuss an upcoming case, please call us at 888-715-0784.

Win A GPS Unit at AAJ Annual Convention at Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. - Booth #619 !!

2008-07-01T15:26:00.000-04:00

Let Med Art Point You In The Right Direction... Drop a card with Shelley or Laura in the Med Art Booth (#619) at the AAJ Annual Conventio in Philadelphia and be in the running to win a Brand New Garmin GPS. Street smart and ultra-cool, you can count on nüvi 200 to get you there on time and in style.Med Art & Legal Graphics will point you in the right direction to a winning verdict or settlement with our highly accurate medical exhibits, animations and presentations! No other company nationwide has the level of expertise we offer to trial attorneys representing medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful deaths cases.- NO COST or OBLIGATION - FREE Case Review/Analysis and Complimentary Exhibit/Presentation Proposals.- EXPERIENCED - 20+ Years Experience in Designing and Creating Medical Illustrations, Graphics, Animations and Presentations for 1000's of cases nationwide.- MEDICAL SCHOOL EDUCATION- AMI Certified, Master Degree, Medical Illustrators/Animators, AAJ Faculty member & National CLE Speakers.- COST EFFECTIVE - 1000's of Stock Medical Exhibits & Animations available, as well as, case specific work viewable online at: http://www.med-art.com/Galleries.aspx- WE KNOW LITIGATION - Our Trial Presentation Consultants have been going to court with our clients for over 11 years. Our litigation support services include: persuasive presentations of critical case documents, video deposition testimony, opening and closing statements via trial presentation software such as Trial Director or Sanction. We know what you are up against in mediation or trial and will support you every step of the way so you can focus on winning your case.- OFFICES - Atlanta, GA; Cleveland, OH; Scottsdale, AZwww.Med-Art.com
North 1-888-9MEDART South 1-888-715-0784or email: ShelleyWatts@med-art.com to discuss your case.

Med Art & Legal Graphics Has A New Website

2008-06-18T15:40:00.003-04:00

Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. Proudly Unveils New Site

Med Art has completed the construction of their new website. Please visit our new site at www.med-art.com to see our vast array of services and products.

Also, please take the time to visit our New Gallery featuring thousands of case specific exhibits, animations and presentations, chat with us LIVE on the Staff Page, (a very cool feature), or just simply update yourself on all that we offer to trial lawyers in our Services & Products Pages. Please come back and visit often - this site is truly a "work in progress" and will continue to improve weekly!

Success Stories!!!

2008-06-18T14:26:00.002-04:00

Med Art wants to hear your success stories. Tell us about your GREAT victories and we will share them with all your colleagues. No detail needs to spared!

Welcome to Trial Presentation

2006-06-12T11:50:00.001-04:00

Welcome ALL!

Trial presentation is a Blog intended to aid the legal community in the presentation of their case. With over 18 years in the Demonstrative Evidence and Trial Presentation field, Med Art & Legal Graphics Co. is at your service, bringing you insightful counsel, dramatic exhibits and flawless courtroom presentation service.