FOCUS GROUPS BOOK

focus group, and 12 may be too many; but for an adversarial focus group 12-15
is just right. From the mechanics, to the preparaEon, to pracEcing voir dire and
reframing cases, it is a skill I conEnue to hone, pracEce and will do so fully for
as long as I am a lawyer.
During my Eme, nearly 20 new alternaEve passion quesEons were rolled out
and tested, cases focus grouped and tried to verdict, openings wriGen and
tested, and tested again. And again. UnEl they were just right. Every
fathomable type of focus group ran just at the right Eme, all skills I can now
aGempt to emulate.
If I were to take away everything else on this list, this item would likely remain
as something completely indispensable. There has been nothing in my career
quite like watching Don do a voir dire on a group of strangers and the
indispensable informaEon they give back to him. The thought process,
preparaEon and strategizing I was able to watch and eventually parEcipate in
while deciding to take a case and later working it up, is nothing short of
remarkable.
Our job as aGorneys is to work as advocates for our clients that have been
wronged. Their tragedy will eventually at its pinnacle, be judged by a jury of
their peers. How can you truly do your job without taking that case to their
peers as many Emes and in as many ways as humanely possible? People are
just people. And those people are our juries and live among us every day as our
focus groups.
Bo#om Line: Not in a million years could I put into these pages all that I
learned both personally and professionally during my Eme in Seaside. All that I
gained, I will bring with me forever. Courage, connecEon with myself, and
connecEon with others. Strength, confidence, and knowledge. Things I will be
forever grateful for, and run with to just keep improving.
AVer the fellowship, Ms. Miller returned to Sea8le to open her firm own firm with partner and
fellow Edge a8orney, Bryan Olsen. Miller Olsen, PLLC runs focus groups weekly and con9nues
the fight for jus9ce we are all embarking on together.