Karen O. Lisko
- Senior Litigation Consultant
- Persuasive Communications Advisor
Litigation consultant Karen Lisko, Ph.D., works with attorneys to increase their persuasiveness and effectiveness with factfinders throughout all phases of litigation.
A veteran of hundreds of civil cases heard in bench and jury trials and arbitration forums, Karen strategizes to help legal teams construct compelling and prevailing arguments. Karen holds a doctorate in legal communication, a specialized degree attained by only a few consultants in the nation, and is the author of two books, Patently Persuasive and Proven Jury Arguments and Evidence.
Karen relies on more than 25 years of extensive mock research and factfinder experience to create an advantage for litigation teams. She strategizes with trial teams, frequently at the earliest stages of litigation, to help establish persuasive case approaches. Her key litigation services include the following:
- Judicial and Arbitrator Persuasion
- Jury Persuasion
- Mock Factfinder Research
Jury and bench trials, hearings, arbitrations - Witness Preparation for Deposition and Trial
Karen's factfinder experience includes civil juries, federal and state court judges, arbitrators and industry boards. Her background covers a wide spectrum of complex litigation, with a particular depth in intellectual property litigation involving patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.
In a representative IP litigation matter, Karen worked with a trial team defending its clients' patents. She conducted focus groups during discovery to guide the clarity of expert witnesses' deposition testimony, led mock trial research to determine the most compelling theory on infringement and, ultimately, designed a multiday mock trial to refine the most effective themes and argument structure for the case. Karen provided additional guidance on witness preparation, effective verdict form design, jury selection and demonstrative concepts. Through the process, the clients gained a strong sense of their case value and a clear path to a favorable settlement.
Karen received her doctorate in legal communication from the University of Kansas. She is the past president of the American Society of Trial Consultants and former board member of the group's foundation. Karen is a media commentator, frequent author and presenter of programs, including numerous CLE programs on the topic of persuasive legal strategies.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Kansas, Ph.D., Communication Studies with emphasis in Legal Communication, 1992
- University of Kansas, M.A., Communication Studies, 1990
- The University of Arizona, B.A., Speech Communication, 1986
Related Employment
- Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, CO, Senior Litigation Consultant, Persuasion Strategies, 1997 - 2015
- University of Colorado School of Law, Lecturer and Faculty Member, Trial Advocacy Intersession, 1997 - 2005
- Tsongas Litigation Consulting, Trial Consultant and Research Director, 1992 - 1997
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Online Courtroom Project, Founding Advisory Board Member, 2020
- Foundation of the American Society of Trial Consultants, Board of Directors, 2006 - 2016
- American Society of Trial Consultants
Grievance Committee, Member, 2008 - present
Professional Association Liaison Committee, Co-Chair, 2003 - 2006
National President and Board Member, 2001 - 2003
National Vice-President and Board Member, 1998 - 2001
- Grievance Committee, Member, 2008 - present
- Professional Association Liaison Committee, Co-Chair, 2003 - 2006
- National President and Board Member, 2001 - 2003
- National Vice-President and Board Member, 1998 - 2001
- The Nebraska Innocence Project, Board Member, 2007 - 2009
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section and Intellectual Property Section
- American Psychological Association, Psychology and Law Division
