I am a trial narrative consultant who helps attorneys use story techniques in mediation and jury trials. Since 2016, Michael has consulted on hundreds of cases, with an 80% success rate, including acquittals on five trials where the client was facing a life sentence. Michael also creates damages narratives for personal injury cases and consults with social justice organizations on using story techniques in messaging on key issues.

My CLE course, The Power of Stories in Trial, has been viewed by thousands of attorneys with a 5/5 rating.

TRIAL CONSULTANCY SKILLS

  • Expert in working with attorneys to shape narratives creating jury empathy

  • Constructs a narrative framework using archetypes and themes for the attorney to use in trial

  • Proven track record of results, including multiple acquittals and dropped/reduced charges

  • Seven-figure awards on personal injury, wrongful death, sexual abuse and product liability cases

CRIMINAL TRIAL CONSULTANT

  • Consultant for defense attorneys throughout the U.S., from misdemeanors to felonies

  • Cases include assaults, homicides, PTSD, and special circumstances cases

  • CLE speaker in San Diego, Vista, Orange, Riverside and Ventura Counties

  • Consultant on 90+ cases, with multiple acquittals and reduced/dropped charges

PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGE NARRATIVE CONSULTANT

  • Consultant for Personal Injury attorneys creating client narratives for use in mediation and trial

  • Consultancy has led to seven-figure awards in mediation

  • Cases include wrongful death, personal injury, sexual abuse, and product liability

EDUCATION

  • Associate Professor of Non-Linear Narrative at USC's Graduate Film Program.

  • Seminar speaker on Motivational Narrative at UCLA, AFI, Rutgers, and NYU

  • MFA Dramatic Writing, New York University, 1991

  • B.A. Communications/Writing, University of California, San Diego, 1987