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34 Brief 10 (2004-2005)
Book Review

handle is hein.journals/tbrief34 and id is 233 raw text is: BOOK REVIEW Reviewed by Todd B. Seelig Blue's Guide to Jury Selection Blue's Guide to Jury Selection l.isa Blue, P i)., J-I). and Robert B. Hirschhorn, J.D. Thomson \Vest & ATLA Press, 2004 Thomson West #40325428 Many of us watched the depiction of a jury consultant in the movie, Rtuaway Jury. In tlht movie, Gene Hackman portrayed a jury consult- ant. I I is theory was some deci- si1n1s are too iniporant i hie decided by a jury, and he wvent to extreme lengths to select the right jury and ensire he would get the verdict he wanted. While the film continues Hollywood's distortion of the American juldicial system, the movie's focus on the linpor- tnce of jury selection should hit borne It litigapors. tlrifortuuntely, lawyers walk into courtrooms every day unprepared with a strategy of low Iti) pick a jury or even how voir dire will unfold, which may be the most inpoitUt issue of tre irial. Because jury, ctiNsiiliants are not used in the vast majority of cases and these skills are not trUgltt ili law scilIu1, lawyers need to learn the skills of jury selection. Without hiring a jury consult- tnt, where can lawyers receive intbrmau ion and skills about this important subject? A new book pth lislied by Thonsor West arid written by Lisa Blue and Robert I lirschhom provides litigators with invaluable inforiat .ion by reveal- ing their secrets, describing their experiences, and sharing in detail Todd B. Seclig is a judge ,with ihe Bureau of \Workers' Compensation in PMiladelphia, Pennsylvania, an adjunct tnojessm at Violwrra lasw School, and a member of The Brief editorial board. how they prepare for and execute effect ire voir dire and jirry selec- tion. As the authors point out, Blue's Guide to Jury Selection is writ- ten for every attorney who will ever appear before a jury, from first year nssociates to II r seansoned vet- eran. All will obtain a better understanding of a good voir dire aId techniql us of jury seleci in. Blie's Guide ro Jury Selection is an extensive work packed full of infi)rin irOiihriiglii!ri 32 clhap- ters and 400 pages of text, not including the appendices. Readers will enjoy the easy layoutr of the book, with the authors dividing the book into two parts: what a lawyer slo oidl do before sle steps into the courtroom and how to make the most of your time with Ile jury pnlel. Frinl le;rning the goals of voir dire and jury question- naires to psychological techniques and tools c if rle radle, partru11e provides information and advice fOr :tll levels of litigators. Part two flcuses on vrir dire atid discusses every element from effective ques- tioning to juror biases and preju- dices. The Hthuirs also touch upon the jurors to watch out for, including the angry juror and le juior who sutidletily wais Io serve. The hook ends with an impressive index and appendices that include sample crir iial and civil jury questionnaires. The authors bring a wealth of experience ito the subject mf jury selection. Lisa Blue worked in the Dallas district attomey's organized critine division, prosecutinrg more than 125 cases to verdict. She is a shareholder in a Dallas-based law firm aid mainrain s a pnitt prac- tice as a forensic psychologist. Robert Ilirschhorn is a nationally known jtory constiltant whir has played a role in recent years on several high-profile civil and crimi- hal cases. livery lawyer wio will ever pick a jury needs effective training and riifuJrIitiariri otsl effective Voir dire ar d jury selection rteclniques. Although many lawyers spend countless hours preparing their case, their client, a d their strat- egy, they possibly may neglect the most inlmpottant part of the trial: select ing rigIe act1:l people who will decide the case. This book is highly recommended and will serve aRs I tefiil resource rn any litigator's bookshelf. Like the movie, Runauay Jury, it is worth the price ofatdmissior. N Tl nrson West is the Inimm. sptmur ofrie Tmi Tria Iuamue Prrr.'tice Section; this article appears in connec- non utodi t Sccion's sxorslrp agre,'nnt wiir lfhmnnrnr \Vest. Neidrer the ABA nor ABA enities endorse nonABIA produrct s or s ces, m d this review; slundd nri. be sorisred. __0o Tot Brmiu a SuMMIR 2005

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