Tim Bechtold spent years fighting a a civil rights case involving a prisoner from the Montana State Prison System. In today's conversation, we look at the intricacies of the case, detailing the client's wrongful conviction, subsequent assault in a private prison, and the challenges faced due to procedural delays and missed deadlines. However, the perseverance of Tim and his team ultimately culminated in a favorable verdict and a reward of just over $27 million. Tim explains the importance of a focus group in shaping their trial strategy and reflects on the quick-paced nature of their trial, as well as the broader implications of justice and advocacy for marginalized communities. Tim Bechtold is a Montana-based trial lawyer known for his work in civil rights and environmental law. In this episode, you will learn about:

• How the case of Nate Lake highlights systemic issues in the justice system.
• How the verdict of over $27 million underscores the importance of accountability.
• Why justice for marginalized communities often requires persistence and dedication.
• The role of storytelling in trials that is crucial for juror engagement.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: Winning a $27 Million Verdict After YEARS of Fighting, with Tim Bechtold [Ep 151]

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Supporting Resources:

Guest Tim Bechtold of Bechtold Law Firm, Montana.

Contact Tim directly at [email protected]

$27.75 million dollar verdict (KRTV news)

Northern Cheyenne v. BIA verdict (Daily Montanan)

Tim's Environmental Work: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5416766

2025 Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award - AAJ: https://www.justice.org/membership/awards

2025 Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year Award: https://www.monttla.com/?pg=historical

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

Our episode this week demonstrates why even small focus groups can go a long way towards saving your case. Running focus groups in discovery can accomplish a lot in even just 50 minutes, giving you data and analysis that you simply wouldn't have otherwise. I outline three specific types of focus groups that can save cases: neutral narratives, timelines, and deposition preparation. Each type serves a unique purpose in helping lawyers understand their cases better, identify weaknesses, and prepare their clients for testimony. We want our clients to do the best job possible, so why not give them a leg up and do a focus group test run, to help figure out where jurors will land on the testimony. In this episode, you will learn:

• How focus groups can save your case during discovery.
• Understanding jury perception is crucial for case strategy.
• How fresh perspectives can break stuck thinking in cases.
• Identifying assumptions early can guide case direction.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

You can watch this episode on my YouTube Channel: @ElizabethLarrick

Want to learn more about the virtual focus group Elizabeth does with lawyers? Schedule a free call:

• https://calendly.com/elizabethlarrick

Are you willing to be bold and confront jury selection challenges head-on? Sharif Gray is here to share his perspective on jury selection, turning the tables on some of the assumptions and stereotypes that we often associate with the process and suggesting that instead, we take potential concerns and weaknesses and turn them to our advantage. In so doing, you will demonstrate credibility, authenticity, trust and respect, for the potential jurors, the judge and even the defence. "We're there for fairness. So I'm looking for jurors who are going to do right by my client, but I'm also looking for jurors who are going to do right by the defense. Because it's not justice if you're going to close your eyes and just vote for my side every day of the week." - Sharif Gray. Sharif is a trial lawyer based in Richmond, Virginia, and the host of the Courtroom Stories and Tactics podcast, where he and his guests do deep dives on topics like voir dire, jury selection, the role of the legal system, and one of my favorites: focus groups! I was honored to be a guest on Sharif's show earlier this year. In this episode, you will learn about:

• Challenges in Traditional Jury Selection
• Building Credibility with the Jury
• Starting Jury Selection Right
• Effective Communication Techniques
• Building Credibility in the Courtroom
• Handling Juror Bias and Concerns

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Guest Sharif Gray of Broughton Injury Law.

Find Broughton Injury Law here: graybroughton.com

Reach Sharif personally at RVA Trial Lawyers: rvatriallawyers.com

Listen to Courtroom Stories and Tactics, by RVA Trial Lawyers: rvatriallawyers.com/podcast/

Find my episode on Sharif's podcast: Mastering Witness Preparation Method and Focus Groups | with Elizabeth Larrick (Trial Consultant)

More info on the Voir Dire to Verdict training event, October 24, 2025

Email Sharif: [email protected]

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: Jury Selection: What's Broken With Traditional Methods? with Sharif Gray [Ep 149]

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

We turn to focus groups for different perspectives, different viewpoints and unexpected interpretations.

But sometimes, these insights can really catch us off guard, even when we think we already know the case.

My good friend Sheila Wilkinson and I continue our conversation from Episode 147, and talk about why teaching lawyers to see their cases through fresh eyes changes everything.

Sheila has her own revelations about what focus groups really reveal, and shares her own unique insight as a combined licensed attorney, licensed social worker, educator and coach. Sheila loves to share her passion for teaching and the benefits of involving clients and their lawyers deeply in the focus group process, to improve trial outcomes.

We then share actionable advice for plaintiffs attorneys considering focus groups, and emphasize the relational and educational aspects of trial consulting.

In this episode, you will learn about:

05:15 Building Relationships with Clients 09:47 Advice for Attorneys Considering Focus Groups 15:24 The Importance of Lifelong Learning, and Building a Strong Team for Trial

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Want to learn more about Sheila Wilkinson?

Check out her website: sheilawilkinson.com

Book time with Shelia: Book Time With Me

Find Sheila on LinkedIn: @smwilkinson

Discover Sheila's podcasts:

Managing Client Disputes

Building Your Joyful and Thriving Lawyer Life

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

Why are focus groups so transformative to the legal field? Today I invited my friend and fellow lawyer Shelia Wilkinson for a "podcast takeover" - Sheila becomes the interviewer, and asks me about my background and what brought me to doing this unique work of running focus groups for lawyers. We look at the methods and motivations I use, the value of focus groups in legal practice, how groups help lawyers communicate effectively, identify key case elements, and enhance overall strategy. Focus groups can transform a legal practice by offering a clearer perspective and fostering confidence in your arguments - ultimately helping lawyers navigate complex cases more effectively. And stay tuned for part two between myself and Sheila, where more surprises and insights await! In this episode, you will learn about:

• Assessing risk
• Gaining certainty in trial preparation
• Building better communication skills, and understanding nuances
• How to identify key case elements
• How to navigate complex cases more effectively

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Want to learn more about Sheila Wilkinson?

Check out her website: sheilawilkinson.com

Book time with Shelia: Book Time With Me

Find Sheila on LinkedIn: @smwilkinson

Discover Sheila's podcasts:

Managing Client Disputes

Building Your Joyful and Thriving Lawyer Life

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

Explore the importance of building confidence in clients for depositions in this episode of Trial Lawyer Prep, hosted by Elizabeth Larrick. Learn the difference between confident witnesses and ego-driven witnesses, and discover practical strategies for instilling confidence in clients ahead of their depositions. Elizabeth emphasizes using clients' words, co-creating preparation materials with them, and offering positive feedback. The goal is to help clients believe in their stories and communicate them effectively under questioning. We also look at the importance of role play and testing, to ensure clients are truly prepared for their testimonies.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Understanding Confidence vs. Ego in Testimony
• Building Confidence: Using Client's Own Words
• Co-Creating Documents for Confidence
• The Importance of Positive Feedback and Encouragement
• Role Play: Test Your Client's Confidence

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

You can watch this episode on my YouTube Channel: @ElizabethLarrick

Check out the latest ways to re-wire your brain for better deposition prep in Episode 143.

Book a free call with Elizabeth to pick her brain about deposition prep:

• https://calendly.com/elizabethlarrick

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

Elizabeth welcomes Michael Schwarz, founder of Prairie Nation Creative, to discuss innovative approaches to creating settlement videos for trial lawyers. Michael, a seasoned filmmaker, shares his journey from film school to starting a company specializing in impactful legal videos. His company introduced the concept of 'Trial Trailers™ ­' - concise and compelling videos designed to summarize case damages and liability, pushing for quicker settlements. Michael also talks about 'demand impact videos,' a more affordable alternative using online interviews for lower-tier cases. Additionally, they explore the challenges of engaging viewers, the importance of early evidence preservation, and how creative storytelling can significantly impact legal outcomes. Michael also touches on his passion project, the Abandoned Atlas Foundation, which focuses on documenting and preserving historic abandoned buildings, and provides another snapshot into his production style. In this episode, you will learn about:

• The Concept of Trial Trailers
• Demand Impact Videos as Affordable Alternatives
• The Art of Video Editing and Storytelling
• Addressing Lawyer Needs with Custom Videos
• The Power of Video in Legal Cases
• Importance of Evidence Preservation
• Bonus! Michael's Abandoned Atlas Foundation

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Guest Michael Schwarz of Prairie Nation Creative.

Learn more about Michael Schwarz and the work he is doing: https://prairie-creative.com/

Email Michael: [email protected]

Watch samples of Michael's work here: https://vimeo.com/prairienation

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: A Fresh Take on Using Video for Case Settlement, with Guest Michael Schwarz [Ep145]

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Don't want to miss an episode? Join the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter for resources, tips and episodes by going here: www.larricklawfirm.com/connect

In this episode, Elizabeth tackles the challenge of capturing and maintaining attention in legal settings, emphasizing the importance of the critical eight-second window to engage audiences like judges, mediators, opposing counsel, and juries. Discover methods to simplify complex legal jargon and prevent cognitive overload, ensuring clarity in your arguments.

Elizabeth dives into crafting compelling trial strategies, focusing on the power of visual comparisons and thematic development in opening statements to effectively counter defense narratives. Whether it's contrasting visuals or structuring arguments to reinforce your points, these techniques will elevate your trial preparations.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Mastering attention in legal settings using the critical 8 second rule
• Simplifying complex legal jargon to avoid cognitive overload
• Utilizing visual comparisons and thematic development in trial strategies
• Structuring arguments effectively to counter the defense's narrative
• Emphasizing the rule of threes for clear and impactful presentations
• Integrating visuals with verbal communication for enhanced audience engagement

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Do you have an upcoming trial and want help writing your opening statement? Book a free call with Elizabeth to see how she can help.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know I sent you.

Elizabeth explores the application of brain science in witness preparation, offering trial lawyers strategies to enhance deposition prep. This episode focuses on leveraging the limbic system and amygdala to reduce stress and improve memory retention, moving away from fear-based tactics. Elizabeth discusses the importance of engaging clients by addressing their concerns and shares methods to counteract the forgetting curve through repetition and structured sessions. Learn how to utilize technology like Zoom for virtual depositions and empower your clients with clarity and confidence.

Elevate your practice with these insights for building a strong foundation in witness preparation. Elizabeth highlights the significance of understanding and applying brain science to transform the way trial lawyers approach witness prep. By addressing the emotional and cognitive needs of clients, lawyers can create a more supportive and effective preparation process. The episode emphasizes the benefits of using technology and structured repetition to ensure that clients are well-prepared, confident, and able to retain crucial information.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Transforming witness preparation using brain science techniques
• Understanding the role of the limbic system and amygdala in reducing stress
• Avoiding fear-based tactics to enhance client memory retention
• Importance of repetition to combat the forgetting curve
• Structured preparation sessions and role-playing scenarios
• Empowering clients with confidence and clarity through tailored strategies

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Learn more about the Forgetting Curve

Need to earn CLE credit and learn more about witness preparation? Check out my in-depth presentation: Witness Prep That Works through ALI CLE.

Set up a free call to talk to Elizabeth about her witness prep services: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know I sent you.

Explore the potential of focus groups to elevate your mediation success with insights from Elizabeth Larrick. This episode is a must-listen for trial lawyers looking to refine their negotiation strategies. Elizabeth shares the strategic advantages of conducting focus groups two to three months before mediation to influence insurance company figures effectively. She distinguishes between focus groups for trial preparation and those tailored specifically for mediation, offering techniques to maintain confidentiality while utilizing focus group findings to drive better settlements.

Elizabeth emphasizes the critical importance of early preparation, providing ample time to share insights with the opposing side ahead of mediation. This proactive approach enhances negotiation effectiveness and informs decision-making.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Strategic use of focus groups to enhance mediation success
• Importance of conducting focus groups 2-3 months prior to mediation
• Differentiating focus groups for mediation from those for trial preparation
• Techniques for maintaining confidentiality while sharing focus group insights
• Leveraging mediators to communicate focus group findings effectively
• Early preparation as a key advantage in mediation strategy

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

In case you missed it, here is Episode 139 that talks about using focus groups in discovery. Listen here.

Curious about doing a focus group for your upcoming mediation? Schedule a free call to see how Elizabeth can help.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know I sent you.