Attorney Keely Duke is one of Idaho’s premier trial attorneys and a founding member of Duke Evett PLLC in Boise, Idaho. Keely joins USLAW Live co-hosts Jessica Dark of Pierce Couch in Oklahoma and Pam Hallford of Carr Allison in Alabama to talk focus groups, mock trials and jury pools. From theme development to local jurors still having a sense of personal responsibility, the conversation includes how to work with clients to use these trial prep tools, what the plaintiff’s bar is doing with focus group data and when to file motions in limine. It’s not all court talk, as Keely shares how her grandmother’s influence shaped her career, how she landed in Boise, what she considers a perfect day, her favorite travel destination, and how unicorns are terrific hires. Tune in to this fun conversation on USLAW Live.
USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants
2:00 Intro to Keely Duke, her practice, the growth of her litigation firm, plus thoughts on the Idaho college murder trial and Bryan Kohberger
5:09 Do things try in Idaho?
5:27 What are juries like? Thoughts from a recent focus group.
6:30 Career journey
8:17 Is there a Z in Boise?
8:45 Focus groups – using them more frequently and doing multiple focus groups on big cases, early theme development
9:40 Examples of cases that are good for focus groups, what tactics the plaintiff’s bar is using around this and how local jurors have a sense of personal responsibility.
11:40 When do you start focus groups? At what point in a case? Before or after the plaintiff’s deposition?
12:30 What's plaintiff’s bar doing with mock trials and data? Keely shares a defense-side perspective and important insights from a recent mock trial.
17:57 When should you file a motion in limine?
19:14 How focus groups and mock trials are the best crystal balls we have.
20:10 Difficult tower issues and how mock trials and data can help.
21:10 Highlights from USLAW NETWORK Medical Law and Professional Liability forums – special event was among the best – USLAW is fun, not just educational! Also, what did a special guest plaintiff’s lawyer share?
24:34 Keely’s perfect day
26:08 Favorite travel destination, empty nesting
28:55 Low turnout for people sitting for the bar in some states – but Duke Evett has found the unicorns, and the unicorns are staying; it’s also about firm culture.
31:30 Favorite things about doing the podcast.