La Verne Morris is the founder of JuryThink, LLC,  a litigation research and consulting firm based in Chicago, IL. Ms. Morris has been a full-time jury consultant for the past 15 years. With over 20 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative research, research design, large and small group analysis and thematic strategy, Ms. Morris is an expert in developing and conducting jury research including mock trials, focus groups, and juror profiling.

She works closely with clients to develop ways to incorporate research findings into trial strategies and tactics. Her extensive knowledge of jury decision-making behavior is more than theoretical; Ms. Morris spends a substantial portion of her consulting practice in the courtroom. She has worked on more than 300 litigation matters, working directly with trial teams on implementing/providing thematic strategy in opening and closing statements, jury selection and trial monitoring.

Ms. Morris is an expert in witness communication training. She has helped prepare more than 400 witnesses, many of whom are CEOs, managers expert witnesses, doctors and other medical professionals. La Verne understands the unique challenges presented in preparing medical professionals; preparation sessions are designed to address various challenges medical witnesses encounter when testifying, and teaching witnesses how to convey medical testimony in a format jurors can digest and retain.

In addition, she has extensive experience preparing witnesses for whom English is not their first language. La Verne believes that in order for witness communication training to be effective it is important to identify and address the “subsurface” issues often driving witness testimony and behavior, and provides techniques to improve testimony efficacy.

Prior to working exclusively as a jury consultant, Ms. Morris worked as a political consultant, conducting political polling, focus groups and public opinion research. In this capacity, she provided research-based political strategy to candidates seeking local, state and national offices. She also served as a consultant to numerous social issue campaigns and referenda, political action committees and think tanks.

Ms. Morris earned her Masters of Political Studies in political management from The Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she was also named a Sloan Scholar. She received her Artium Baccalaureus in politics from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.

She lives and works in Chicago’s Loop area.