Reptile: The 2009 Manual of the Plantiff's Revolution

by David A. Ball, Don C. Keenan

Item is heavily highlighted.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction

337 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

David Ball, Ph.D., is a nationally known jury and trial consultant. As President of Jury Watch, Inc., he has worked on hundreds of civil and criminal cases providing focus groups and mock trials as well as guidance in jury selection, case analysis and presentation, courtroom communications, and damages strategies. He has taught law students at a number of law schools including Duke University; Wake Forest University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Minnesota, and Campbell University. He also teaches trial advocacy skills to attorneys across the country for NITA, ATLA and other organizations. Dr. Ball is featured in the video Do Your Own Jury Focus Group distributed by NITA. He is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for plaintiff's side trial attorneys. These concepts were considered revolutionary when they were first published in 2009. Now they're more commonly known and have been refined for different types of cases, but it's important to understand the beginning of the "Reptile" theory of case presentation. I enjoyed the war stories from veteran trial attorney David Ball and it's great to have bits of real transcripts. The chapter on preparing witnesses for deposition is also fantastic and worth the price of the book just for that.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating approach to the justice system. Great read even if you're not an attorney.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been hearing this book was a must-read for years at every Plaintiff's bar conference around. I can see why. Super interesting theory about how in order to get a jury to find for your client, you have to convince them that their own interests are at risk - the 'it could happen to you approach'. The book does a good job of developing it all the way through litigation. I do wish a little more time had been spent on how to develop the theory in discovery and depositions since trials are really pretty rare. I also wish they could offer a few examples for the employment law audience. The whole book seemed very focused on personal injury and med mal. But overall glad I read it. Made tons of notes to use.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

hard to rate this because it's a 'learning' book, or a practitioner book, so not a 'good' book, but a very useful one. recommended for all plaintiff attorneys.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work, and I thought it contained some interesting tidbits, especially re: prepping your client for deposition and testifying and jury voir dire.

[Trey Mustian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains a method of appealing to juries by appealing to the " reptilian " brain-- that part of the brain focused on survival. Pretty fascinating stuff. Very accessible and well explained.