IMS Senior Director of Jury Consulting Chris Dominic was recently interviewed for The Wall Street Journal CEO Brief newsletter, examining how corporate leaders can better prepare for deposition and trial testimony.
In the piece, "When the CEO Takes the Stand," written by Lila MacLellan of The WSJ Leadership Institute, Chris shares insight into how executives are perceived by jurors and why effective witness preparation must begin well before trial. He emphasizes that depositions play a critical role in shaping juror impressions, noting that tone, posture, and communication style established early can follow a CEO into the courtroom.
Chris also discusses key factors that jurors evaluate when assessing corporate witness credibility, including relatability, authenticity, and composure under pressure. Drawing on his deep experience preparing corporate leaders for high-stakes litigation, he explains how subtle shifts in language, demeanor, and delivery can influence whether jurors view an executive as trustworthy and genuine.
Read the full Wall Street Journal CEO Brief newsletter here.
Chris also hosts our IMS Elevate series. Dive deeper into the topic of anti-corporate bias in his interview with IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Keith Pounds, PhD.
