National Jury Trial Innovations Project: an update one year later.

• Author: Horowitz, Mark R.

In 1998, the Foundation of the International Association of Defense Counsel launched the National Jury Trial Innovations Project. The IADC Institute was created by the foundation to sponsor, develop and coordinate the project nationally. When we described the project in the July 1998 issue of Defense Counsel Journal (page 331), it was just getting off the ground. What's happened since?

A year ago, various materials had been prepared, such as videos, a PowerPoint [TM] presentation and hand-out items. Parts of the program, including the "Order in the Classroom" video, had been presented at certain venues, and the IADC Institute had learned from those presentations to modify and improve both the program and the materials. Team leaders, composed of IADC members and their teams of judges, defense and plaintiff lawyers, and academicians, were in the process of seeking venues to present programs.

Certain media were becoming interested in the project and wanted to track its progress. The project goal was becoming firmly attached to the entire effort: to make the jury trial a better place to teach and learn.

We've come a long way

The project has come a long way since that time. Team leaders and those working with the IADC Institute for special presentations have given or planned more than 80 programs nationwide in the United States, reaching thousands of lawyers, judges, court administrators and law students. The venues have been diverse, and various organizations have been interested in hearing the program, whether for 45 minutes or an all-day presentation. (See sidebar.)

Judges have reacted very favorably to the project. Several have indicated, after attending a program, that they implemented one or more of the presented innovations at their next trial, with great success and acceptance. Others have become personally involved in the project. Superior Court Judge Judith Chirlin of Los Angeles, a team leader, has given programs before numerous judges, inns of court and other legal organizations. One recent seminar for a large group of judges was created specifically for the project.

"This effort is critical to improving our jury trial system of justice," said Judge Chirlin. "The IADC Institute's project is a major step towards making the system more user-friendly from the jurors' perspective and, as importantly, helping jurors make better decisions because they are better able to understand the cases they are asked to decide."

Video is a hit

The "Order in the Classroom" videotape, a brief satire on what a jury trial would look like if presented as a college course, has become an enormous hit with audiences across the country. While originally intended as an attention-grabber to begin an IADC Institute program, demand for it has been such that the IADC Foundation decided to sell it, with tax deductible proceeds going to the continued activities of the project.

The video, taken from a story written by Judge Michael J. Brown of the Superior Court of Pima County, Tucson, Arizona, hits a nerve every time it is viewed. "I found the video to be a marvelous summation on the problems with our jury system and a real wake-up call to the audience on why we need to challenge ourselves with reforms," noted Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Organizations back project

Organizational support for the project has been strong and continues to grow. The American Judicature Society, an early supporter, informed AJS directors nationwide to work with IADC team leaders to present joint programs at local and state venues. The National Judicial College and the American Bar Association Section of Litigation continue to support the project, and programs have been given to their constituents in different states.

The Litigation Section also has listed the IADC Institute as a resource on queries...