Why Legal Consumer Behavior Is Changing — And Why It Matters for Mock Jury & Trial Research
The legal industry is shifting faster than many realize. Even highly specialized practice areas like litigation, personal injury, criminal defense, or employment law are being reshaped by consumer expectations, digital behavior, and response-time standards that simply didn’t exist a decade ago.
In the past, legal clients behaved more predictably: referrals ruled everything, response windows were longer, and consumers typically trusted “the lawyer their friend recommended.” But new data shows that this behavior is changing — dramatically — and law firms who run focus groups or rely on early-case insights need to pay attention.
Clients Are Acting Like Modern Consumers — Even in Litigation Practices
A new report from Scorpion’s Legal Consumer Trends 2025 found that:
74% of legal clients now research a firm after receiving a referral before choosing to contact them (Scorpion).
~60% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations (Scorpion).
72% of clients expect a response within 24 hours — many expect same-day follow-up (Scorpion).
These findings may seem like “marketing problems,” but for trial attorneys and litigation consultants, they represent something bigger:
Jurors and legal clients are becoming the same people.
The expectations they bring into a courtroom — around credibility, transparency, communication, and consistency — mirror the expectations they bring into everyday consumer decisions.
2. Why This Matters for Focus Groups and Jury Research
When jurors are accustomed to rapid information cycles, real-time responses, and digital transparency, their internal standards shift:
A. Trust Thresholds Are Higher
Modern jurors come in with consumer-grade expectations for clarity and honesty.
If messaging feels incomplete or unclear, they disengage quickly — the same way they do with brands.
B. Attention Spans Are Shorter
Digital-native jurors process information differently.
Research widely cites Microsoft’s 2015 Attention Spans Study — a consumer-behavior report often referenced in discussions about digital distraction — indicating that average adult attention spans have declined (Microsoft, 2015).
Because of this, your case themes, visuals, and evidence presentation must be simpler, clearer, and more narrative-driven.
C. Jurors Expect “Receipts”
Just as modern consumers want proof before they buy, jurors expect stronger justification behind claims, damages, and credibility arguments.Mock juror feedback is increasingly shaped by this consumer-like mindset — and trial teams who ignore these behavioral shifts risk missing what truly persuades today’s jurors.
3. The Rising Importance of Experience & Responsiveness
A recent customer-experience study found that 88% of people say good customer service makes them more likely to return or recommend (Salesforce State of the Connected Customer, 2024).Jurors expect professionalism, clarity, and structure in how information is presented. Legal clients expect responsiveness, guidance, and accessibility.
These expectations spill directly into how mock jurors evaluate:
Witness credibility
Attorney communication style
Case clarity
Damages arguments
Perceived fairness
Understanding these expectations gives trial teams a real competitive advantage.
4. What This Means for Your Legal Strategy Moving Forward
The legal industry is no longer insulated from broader consumer trends. Clients, jurors, and decision-makers are influenced by:
Digital feedback loops
Online review behavior
Information overload
A desire for transparency
High-speed communication norms
This means the quality of your research, the structure of your focus groups, and the clarity of your narratives have never mattered more. Law firms that incorporate modern behavioral insights into their research will be better prepared for jury unpredictability, shifting social norms, and evolving attitudes toward evidence and responsibility.
Legal clients and jurors are changing — and your research should evolve with them.
If your next case involves a complex narrative, a credibility battle, damages scrutiny, or an unpredictable jury pool, a modernized focus group may be the most valuable investment you make in your strategy.
At FGA Research, we work with trial attorneys, litigation consultants, and legal researchers across the country who understand that juror psychology isn’t static — it changes with culture, technology, and consumer expectations.
Let’s talk about how FGA Research can help you test, refine, and strengthen your case with insights built for today’s jurors.