James Dobson
Principal
jdobson@empiricalcreative.com | 631.676.7834
Jim has a broad range of experience in both civil and criminal litigation and has supported both plaintiffs and defendants in matters involving contract disputes, securities and accounting fraud, intellectual property, antitrust, medical malpractice and others. He has been recognized as having played key roles in the successful outcomes of some of the nation's most complex and high-profile cases. After a long and successful career with several top tier National Jury Consulting firms, Jim co-founded Empirical Creative in 2006 with a renewed mission. Jim has leveraged his extensive jury consulting experience and training in the social sciences to build a practice that is grounded in rigorous empirical methods, yet provides clients with practical case strategy.
Jim’s unique expertise in the area of persuasive graphics has helped establish Empirical Creative as a truly integrated firm, where Jury Research and Graphics are part of a single consulting process. Jim is a published author and expert analyst in the area of jury decision-making and has contributed articles to Temple University Law Review, National Law Journal and the ABA Section of Litigation's Trial Evidence and IP Committee newsletters.
Leading media outlets, such as Fox News, CBS's 48 Hours, CBS News, National Public Radio, The National Law Journal and USA Today, have turned to Jim for insight into juror behavior in high-profile trials. Jim has a B.A. in Human Relations and a M.A. in Sociology from Fordham University, where he served 4 years as a Ph.D. fellow.
David Klein, Ph.D.
Principal
dklein@empiricalcreative.com | 631.676.7833
Dave is an experienced Jury Consultant who has worked with both plaintiffs and defendants on a wide-variety of litigation matters, including securities fraud cases, insurance disputes, intellectual property cases, antitrust matters, contract disputes, and others. His main areas of consulting expertise are in trial strategy development, jury selection and persuasive graphics. Prior to co-founding Empirical Creative in 2006, Dave held a senior level position in a large National Jury Consulting firm.
Dave has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from St. John’s University. He is a licensed psychologist in the State of New York. Dave has a long-standing interest in and experience with using social science methods to empirically study and understand group dynamics and the relationship between attitudes and behaviors. His academic background in clinical psychology and social science research combined with his extensive practical experience as a jury and trial graphics consultant makes him an invaluable asset to trial teams.
Elizabeth Thompson, Ph.D.
Senior Jury Consultant
ethompson@empiricalcreative.com | 646.808.5184
Elizabeth is an experienced trial consultant with expertise in securities litigation, patent and intellectual property cases, environmental litigation, employment disputes, pharmaceutical litigation and corporate governance issues. Elizabeth has assisted both plaintiff and defense teams with thematic case development and graphics. Drawing on her academic expertise in how individuals and groups cope under stress, Elizabeth has focused particular attention on the preparation of key witnesses for deposition and trial. Elizabeth has been a trial consultant in New York and San Francisco, and she has extensive experience in the major courts of California, New York, and New Jersey.
Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on individual and group coping strategies under extreme stress. She is also a member of the American Society of Trial Consultants (ASTC).
John P. Esser, Ph.D.
Senior Jury Consultant
jesser@empiricalcreative.com | 347.578.5771
John P. Esser is Professor and Chair of Sociology at Wagner College. He received his B.A. from Haverford College, and his J.D., M.S., and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as the Hewlett Fellow in Dispute Resolution. He is the co-editor of The Science of Courtroom Litigation: Jury Research and Analytical Graphics (forthcoming, ALM/Law Journal Press), as well as author and co-author of several chapters within. In addition, he has published articles on the changing form of contract law, on dispute resolution, and on the history of American jurisprudence in journals such as Law and Social Inquiry and the Denver University Law Review, and has presented papers on these topics at academic forums such as the American Association of Law Schools, The Law & Society Association, and the Social Science History Association. Dr. Esser is also involved in curricular reform in higher education. He has made presentations on this topic at various meetings of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and been quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education. As a trial consultant, he has worked on some of the most noted corporate fraud cases of the past five years. He is licensed to practice law in the State of New York.
Russell Maymi
Creative Director, Trial Graphics Division
rmaymi@empiricalcreative.com | 631.560.0089
Russ has over 15 years of graphic design experience in corporate communication and litigation consulting. He has produced cutting-edge demonstratives for trial, ranging from high impact multimedia presentations to poster size boards that serve to provide a thematic roadmap for persuading intended audiences.
Russ is fluent in various design disciplines which enable him to create persuasive visual content that is both focused and unhindered. His critical, yet flexible approach to concept development is supported by a comprehensive understanding of design layout, color theory, typography, context, and visual perception.
Russ has produced high end sales and marketing materials as well as internal communication and training tools for various corporations. His visionary approach was essential in the establishment of a one stop shop business productivity model which served to provide administrative and marketing support to a global sales force. Russ’ relational style and client-oriented sensibilities are reflected in his work.
Jeff Graham
Research Associate
jgraham@empiricalcreative.com | 718.855.4389
Jeff has over 7 years experience in coordinating jury research events and has successfully executed focus groups, mock trials, and mock arbitrations for some of the biggest litigation matters in the country. He has worked and consulted for several large jury consulting firms, and brings a wealth of hands-on experience to Empirical Creative, LLC. Jeff’s background is in sociology and software development, which gives him a unique perspective on the theory and technology of a jury research event. He also spent 6 years as a summer camp director and outdoor trip leader, during which he developed crucial skills in event management, problem solving, and logistical planning.