Litigation Consultant Beats Jury Research Focus Group Wage Suit

A participant in a research focus group failed to show that she and other mock jurors were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, in part because the focus group lasted only one day, a federal court in California said.

Magna Legal Services LLC was retained to provide jury consulting services in a personal injury lawsuit to evaluate the effectiveness of trial themes and refine overall litigation strategy. Magna convened a one-day, in-person jury research focus group that included mock trial presentations and questionnaires. It lasted about nine hours.

Plaintiff Naomi Guynn-Neupane was paid $260 for her time. Magna structures ...