LEADERSHIP
Dr. Kelly Anthony, Ph.D.
Director of Research | Litigation Research Group, LLC
Experience & Expertise
Over 30 years of experience in legal consulting,
Served on more than 5,000 litigation matters
Including over 2,000 aviation-related cases
Across all 50 states in rural and urban venues
Nationally recognized for her expertise in:
Jury Research Method Development
Parallel Jury and In Trial Strategy
Persuasive Communication Coaching
Legal Psychology and Decision-Making Theory
Legal Research Methodologies
Evidence-Based Approaches to Winning Results
Dr. Anthony applies both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches, including:
Mock Trials & Trial Simulations – Realistic case testing and juror feedback.
Focus Groups & Community Surveys – Insights into public attitudes and perceptions.
Witness Preparation & Communication – Enhancing clarity, credibility, and persuasiveness.
Juror Profile Analysis & Questionnaires – Tailoring research to the actual jury pool.
Jury Selection & Voir Dire Strategy – Optimizing juror evaluation and selection.
Parallel/Shadow Juries – Real-time trial insights and decision-making patterns.
Opening & Closing Statement Testing – Measuring persuasiveness and key message impact.
Post-Trial Juror Interviews – Gathering qualitative insights and decision rationale.
Executive Consulting & Public Speaking – Strategic guidance for presentations and trial advocacy.
Client Base & Recognition
Trusted Expertise Across the Legal Industry.
Consulting experience spans thousands of civil and criminal litigation matters, serving a broad range of clients:
AmLaw 200 Firms – Partnering with top-tier law firms nationwide.
Fortune 500 Companies – Strategic support for complex corporate litigation.
National & Boutique Trial Practices – Tailored insights for firms of all sizes.
Government Agencies & Regulatory Bodies – Guidance on compliance and enforcement matters.
Insurance Defense & Coverage Counsel – Expertise in risk assessment and strategy.
Corporate Legal Departments & General Counsel Offices – Supporting internal legal teams.
Arbitration & Mediation Panels – Consulting for alternative dispute resolution.
Plaintiff & Defense Litigation Teams – Strengthening trial preparation and case strategy.
Education & Academic Appointments
Academic Excellence, Trial Strategy Application.
Education
Ph.D., Legal Communication – Chapman University
M.A., Strategic Communication – Pepperdine University
B.A., Communication / Sociology – University of California, Santa Barbara
Teaching, Academic Appointments, & Research Roles
Chapman University
California State University, Long Beach
University of Massachusetts
Brandman University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Pepperdine University
Professional Experience & Media Recognition
Recognized Expertise. Trusted Insight. Proven Results.
Dr. Anthony’s Professional Experience Includes:
Managing Director – Decision Researchers Group
Director of Research – DecisionQuest
Dr Anthony’s Media Recognition Includes:
Featured Expert – CBS, NBC, and NPR
Cited In – The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Business Week
Innovative Research Methods – Cutting-edge approaches to trial consulting and jury analysis
Keynote Speaking Engagements – For media outlets on:
Trial Communication,
The Art of Persuasion,
Juror Decision-Making
Predictive Legal Research Methods
In courtroom Jury Research Models, Parallel Jury
Speaking Engagements & Memberships
Sharing Expertise & Advancing Trial Science.
Dr. Anthony has delivered numerous presentations on the application of legal research methods including:
Products Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)
American Bar Association – Litigation & Manufacturing Sections (ABA)
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
National Communication Association (NCA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Western States Communication Association (WSCA)
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
State Bar Associations – Including California, New York, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Nevada, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota
Professional & Scholarly Contributions
Legal Research that Informs Trial Practice
Dr Anthony combines legal research and trial strategy to deliver winning results
Author: The Parallel Jury Study – Examines the efficacy of the parallel jury method and its accuracy in predicting trial verdicts. *See Resources Tab
Author: “Band of Brothers: The Role of Gender in the Trial Profession” – A noted study on gender dynamics and credibility in the trial profession.
Researchers: Published scholar in multiple legal & academic journals – Contributing original research on legal psychology, jury behavior, and trial communication.
Presenter/Speaker: Hundreds of legal research papers – Featured at national and international legal, academic, and behavioral science conferences. *see below
Professor: Published scholar & contributor to legal psychology and scholarship – Advancing empirical methods and courtroom communication research through data-driven legal research methods and insight.
Selected Book Publications
Published Legal Works:
Dr Anthony has published the following academic and legal works:
The Parallel Jury Study: Evaluating Its Effectiveness in Predicting Jury Verdicts (2025). Chapman University Digital Commons
Is There Really a Difference? A Comparison of In-Person and Zoom Communication Modalities https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251349580
Band of Brothers: The Role of Gender in the Trial Profession
ISBN: 979-8-9930854-2-5
The Law’s Leaky Pipeline: How Gender Shapes Beliefs About Meritocracy
ISBN: 979-8-9930854-4-9
Predicting Jury Verdicts: Legal Research—What It Is and Does It Work? ISBN: 979-8-9930854-0-1
The Parallel Jury: Can It Shape Trial Outcomes & Reliably Predict Jury Verdicts? ISBN: 979-8-9930854-1-8
Legal Papers & Conference Presentations
Advancing Gender Equity in the Law: An Organizational Approach
November 2025 – National Communication Association Conference, Denver, CO
The Courtroom Divide: Elevating Communication to Dismantle Gender Disparity in Legal Organizations
November 2025 – National Communication Association Conference, Denver, CO
Is Face-to-Face Still the Gold Standard? Comparing Communication in Face-to-Face vs. Zoom Interview Modalities
November 2025 – National Communication Association Conference, Denver, CO
A Pilot Study of Mental Health Communication: How College Students Make Sense of Their Mental Health through Communicated Sense-Making
November 2025 – National Communication Association Conference, Denver, CO
Does It Matter? Comparing Technology-Mediated and In-Person Qualitative Interviews
February 2025 – Western States Communication Association Conference, Albuquerque, NM
The Brotherhood: Accounting for Identities and Differences in Legal Practice
February 2025 – Western States Communication Association Conference, Albuquerque, NM
Supporting Women in Law: The Influence of Gender in the Legal Profession
February 2025 – Western States Communication Association Conference, Albuquerque, NM
Jury Research Papers & Presentations
Why Lawyers Use Jury Research: What It Can and Cannot Tell You
March 2025 – American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, San Diego, CA
The Parallel Jury: What It Is, How It Works, and Is It Predictive?
January 2025 – American Bar Association, Annual Conference, Litigation Section, Los Angeles, CA
Zoom In or Face Off: Comparing Zoom and Traditional Face-to-Face Modalities in Jury Trial Verdicts
November 2024 – National Communication Association Conference, New Orleans, LA
Band of Brothers: The Role of Gender in American Trial Practice
November 2024 – National Communication Association Conference, New Orleans, LA
The Future of Jury Research
February 2024 – American Bar Association, Section of Litigation Conference, Aspen, CO
Why Jurors Punish Aviation Companies: Fears and Expectations
April 2024 – American Bar Association Conference, Aviation Section, Las Vegas, NV
Ring of Fire: What to Say After Plaintiff Openings
November 2024 – Texas State Bar Association, Litigation Meeting, Dallas, TX
The Juror Who Can Sway the Room: Hidden Risks in Voir Dire
November 2023 – Litigation Research Group, Annual Conference, New York, NY
The Verdict Is In: Trial Strategy Starts Before Trial
February 2023 – Decision Researchers, Annual Litigation Conference, Dallas, TX
The Juror You Overlooked: Hidden Risks in Corporate Litigation
April 2022 – American Bar Association, Annual Meeting Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Jury Research Papers & Presentations
Legal Research Tools for the Courtroom
April 2010 – American Bar Association, Aviation and Space Law Division, Dallas, TX
Blind Spots: Cost of Not Knowing Your Jury
June 2016 – American Bar Association, Products Liability Conference, San Francisco, CA
Latest Trends in Jury Research
May 2015 – Allen, Matkins, Leck and Gamble, Corporate Litigation Meeting, Los Angeles, CA
A Winning Beginning: How to Present Memorable Opening Statements
July 2012 – American Bar Association, Annual Litigation Meeting, Philadelphia, PA
Trial Strategies in Aviation Cases
January 2011 – Aviation and Manufacturing Section, Defense Research Institute, New Orleans, LA
10 Things to Know Before Your Next Aviation Trial
(presentation with Edwin Green, Esq.)February 2009 – International Air Transport Association, Annual Conference, New York, NY
Managing Expectations and Fears in Aviation Trials
October 2008 – The Products Liability Advisory Counsel, Annual Meeting Conference, Chicago, IL
10 Things to Know Before Your Next Manufacturing Trial
February 2006 – American Bar Association, Manufacturing Division, San Francisco, CA
Why Jurors Punish Manufacturing Companies: Managing Expectations and Fears
May 2018 – American Bar Association Conference, Manufacturing Section, Chicago, IL
Predicting COVID’s Impact on Juror Decision-Making
November 2020 – American Bar Association, Section of Litigation Conference, Ft. Worth, TX
Legal Research Papers & Conference Presentations
Does Corporate Image Matter? Overrated or Essential?
September 2018 – ABA, Annual Litigation Meeting, Los Angeles, CA
Why Jurors Punish Manufacturing Companies: Managing Expectations and Fears
May 2018 – American Bar Association Conference, Manufacturing Section, Chicago, IL
Blind Spots: The Cost of Not Knowing Your Jury
June 2016 – American Bar Association, Products Liability Conference, San Francisco, CA
Latest Trends in Jury Research
May 2015 – Allen Matkins Leck & Gamble, Corporate Litigation Meeting, Los Angeles, CA
A Winning Beginning: How to Present Memorable Opening Statements
July 2012 – American Bar Association, Annual Litigation Meeting, Philadelphia, PA
Trial Strategies in Aviation Cases
January 2011 – Defense Research Institute, Aviation and Manufacturing Section, New Orleans, LA
Legal Research Tools for the Courtroom
April 2010 – American Bar Association, Aviation and Space Law Division, Dallas, TX
10 Things to Know Before Your Next Aviation Trial
(with Edwin Green, Esq.)February 2009 – International Air Transport Association, Annual Conference, New York, NY
Managing Expectations and Fears in Aviation Trials
October 2008 – Products Liability Advisory Council, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
10 Things to Know Before Your Next Manufacturing Trial
February 2006 – American Bar Association, Manufacturing Division, San Francisco, CA