Troy D. Chandler sent us this verdict:
I cannot speak highly enough of your recent publication Show the Story by William and Robert Bailey. I just used the visual strategies outlined in this book to win a unanimous jury verdict of $20 million in Houston, Texas. This verdict was twice what we asked for throughout voir dire and all the way through closing arguments. The explanation for this result can be found in the visual techniques described in Show the Story, a book that shows attorneys how to reach the decision maker on an emotional level where decisions are often made.
This particular case involved a property management company that failed to inform the residents of an apartment complex that a sexual predator had attacked two other women living on the premises. As a result, my client was repeatedly raped for
twelve hours in her apartment.
After reading Show the Story, I consulted with coauthor Robert Bailey, who is a trial consultant with twenty years of experience specializing in visual communication and story development. He helped me think about my case more creatively and showed me how to bring it to life visually using the techniques described in Show the Story. As a result, I developed the liability story of my case in an entirely different way than I was accustomed. Instead of relying primarily on words and documents, I used a visual documentary style of presentation.
Utilizing the same visual strategies described in the book, I then presented my client's damages story through moving imagery, powerful sequencing, and unspoken communication, breaking through the normal accounting of facts and grabbing hold of the visual drama that brought to life my client's emotional story. The evidence laid itself out in such a powerful fashion that the jury was left with no other choice but to find fault with the apartment complex.
The result: the jury awarded the plaintiff $20 million dollars—twice the amount we were asking ($7 million for past mental anguish and physical suffering, $5 million for future suffering, and $8 million for the conduct of the apartment owners). The
jury foreperson said to all assembled lawyers, "We would have given you even more if you would have asked for it." Even the bailiff, who has twenty years of experience and has seen hundreds of trials said, "This was the best opening I have ever
seen."
This is the power of Show the Story. Never did I dream a jury would be so moved by the visual strategies described in this book. Neither did I dream the jury would render a verdict of double what we were asking. As far as I am concerned, this case
was won in the opening statement using the strategies of this great book and the work of its coauthor Robert Bailey.
I can't thank Trial Guides enough for publishing this book. The strategies it describes made a big difference in the outcome for my client, and it has forever changed the way that I will present cases in the future. Thank you, Trial Guides. You've got a winner!
Troy D. Chandler — Lead Counsel
Troy received this verdict while with Williams & Kherkher. He is currently with Chandler McNulty
