Noelle C. Nelson, Ph.D. is a nationally respected trial consultant who provides trial/jury strategy, witness preparation and focus groups to attorneys. Since 2000, she has helped win hundreds of millions of dollars for her plaintiff clients. Her defense clients have saved millions more.

EXPERIENCE: 

Consultant to attorneys & legal firms: trial strategy, witness preparation, focus groups, psychological and communication skills for attorneys, client relations, 1985 – present 

Speaker: ABOTA, AAJ, TIDA, UCLA Extension Continuing Legal Education, various local Bar Associations, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the Practicing Law Institute, Southern California Defense Counsel, Attorney General’s Continuing Legal Education Conference, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, various private firms, 1986 – present  

Consultant to CEOs and their spouses, Jannotta Bray and Associates, 1993 – 1994 

Staff Therapist: West Valley Psychological Clinic, Encino, California, 1987 – 2007 

Therapist: Pacific Center for HIV Counseling and AIDS Psychotherapy, 1994 -1997

 

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology: United States International University, San Diego, California 

Doctorat 3eme Cycle, Political Sociology: University of Paris (Sorbonne), France 

B.A., Sociology, University of California at Los Angeles 

Drama Coach: UCLA; Ateliers du Marais, Paris, France; Improvisation, speech and vocal training

 

LEGAL BLOG:

“A Winning Tip,” 1992 – present

 

BOOKS:

“Connecting With Your Client: Success Through Improved Client Communications Techniques,” 2nd revised edition, American Bar Association, 2015

“Expert Witness Preparation,” Chapter in ALI-ABA’s Practice Checklist Manual on Trial Advocacy, ALI-ABA, 2001

“Winning! Using Lawyers’ Courtroom Techniques To Get Your Way In Everyday Situations,” Prentice- Hall, 1997 (paperback: “Get Your Way,” 1998)

“The Power of Appreciation in Business: How an Obsession with Value Increases Performance, Productivity & Profits, MindLab Publishing, 2005

“Winner Takes All: Exceptional People Show Us How to Find Career & Personal Success in the 21st Century,” Insight Books, 1999 (paperback: 2001)

“Dangerous Relationships: How to Stop Domestic Violence before It Stops You,” Insight Books, 1997 (paperback: 2001)

“A Winning Case: How to Use Persuasive Communication Techniques for Successful Trial Work,” Prentice-Hall, 1991

ARTICLES (Partial List) 

“First Impressions Count in Court” – CAOC Forum – July/August 2023

“How to Work Successfully With a Narcissistic Client” – Law Practice Management Today – June 2019

“Working With Your Jury” – ABA Litigation & Trial Practice – Summer 2019

“How to Work Successfully With a Narcissistic Client: – Law Practice Management Today – June 2019

“Managing the Angry Client” – Plaintiff Magazine – September 2018 

“Technology in the Courtroom: Does it Engage or Overwhelm Jurors?” – California Litigation – Summer 2017

“Focus Groups: Five benefits that make a real difference at trial” – CAALA’s The Advocate – April 2016 

Jury Instructions: It’s Up to You to Make Sure They Are Clear to Jurors” – Plaintiff Magazine, April 2015

“The Challenge of Celebrity Clients” – CAALA’s The Advocate – October 2014

         “Don’t Blame the Jurors” – California Lawyer – November 2013         

          “How to Increase Jury Understanding” – LawDragon.com – December 17, 2012

          “The Media’s Impact on Jurors” – LawDragon.com – April 9, 2012

          “When the CEO Takes the Stand” – California Litigation – December 2011

          “Earning Clients’ Trust During the Initial Interview” – State Bar of Calif. Law Practice Management & Technology Section, The Bottom Line – April 2011

           “Keeping the Human Side in Court” – LawDragon.com – April 2011