Show the Story: The Power of Visual Advocacy

Trial lawyers who have had the privilege of working with Robert Bailey on a case recognize his film director like brilliance in telling the trial story. Finally, there is a book that teaches trial lawyers how Bailey works his magic. Fortunately, this book is collaboration between Robert and his brother, William, who is one of those rare trial lawyers who understands how the use visual imagery to persuade. Together these two teach us how transform our case into winning story. Every trial lawyer needs this book!

In this age when visual persuasion and storytelling are the hallmarks of successful litigation, William and Robert Bailey have captured the essence of the genre. This is a comprehensive and highly valuable book, rich with ideas, illustrations and superb content. It will benefit all trial lawyers, whether novice or experienced.

If lawyers employ the sophisticated visual strategies presented in this book they will have a distinct advantage over those who do not. All will benefit greatly from this text. Bravo!

I highly recommend that practicing attorneys in the field of personal injury and wrongful death litigation read and use Show the Story. It explains how to use visual tools and techniques to tell the story of the case.

This is one book that will be on my bookshelf and will be required reading for all lawyers in my firm. Accomplished trial lawyer William Bailey gives us all the tools we need to tell the visual story of the trial. Trial consultant Robert Bailey is the best visual trial storyteller in the country. Thank you for showing us the visual story.

I love it! It is a classic. It will be bought by every real trial lawyer in the country. This is the Bible for using visuals in trial. Wow!

I was blown away by this book. It brings Melvin Belli’s breakthrough into the 21st century. I was very impressed at the depth of the book, the psychology of learning and remembering, and the judges’ perspectives. This is invaluable stuff. Well done.

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, a professional workingwoman who lived by herself, was repeatedly raped for twelve hours in her apartment. After reading Show the Story, I consulted with co-author Robert Bailey, who is a 20-year trial consultant 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 defendant. The result: the jury awarded 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 of twenty years who has seen hundreds of trials said, ‘This was the best opening I have ever seen.’

The Baileys have perfected their craft to an Academy Award level. They use classic movies, animations, judges, Google Earth, and loads of illustrations to tell the story. The book teaches the right mix between high tech and butcher paper, and the ethical limits too. It is a captivating read and a must for any trial lawyer’s library.

The lawyers who have used this visual format win and win big … an extremely authentic and original approach with a profound humanity and generosity of spirit.

The Bailey brothers are legal visionaries with a passion to help trial lawyers become better. This meticulous, fascinating work on the use of visuals to tell the story stands alone as the single best resource of its kind.

This book has great insights into the art of visual storytelling. It reaches you how to transform your case from dry facts and a few exhibits to an engaging visual story that really comes to life. The Bailey brothers show you how to visually engage a jury and keep them engaged. A must read for every trial lawyer.

You’ve pioneered a radical way to look at our cases. This book shows not only how to make a winning visual story, but how to persuade through sequencing information properly. Your methods have helped us obtain millions in verdicts for our clients.

The Bailey brothers have written an encyclopedia of information about showing your clients story to the jury through visual presentations with clear instructions about how to do it correctly. It should be in every trial lawyer’s library. It’s a winner.

The Bailey brothers have made an invaluable contribution to the trial bar and those we serve. Show the Story is for those who aspire to be the very best.

A valuable road map that teaches us how to visually frame and sequence our trial and settlement presentations. The lessons of Show the Story will definitely enhance our likelihood of success.