News by Mark C. Blankenship on West Virginia Record

Blankenship One juror crosses her arms -– she's having a difficult time believing the witness's testimony. Another juror taps his foot –- he's bored. A red necktie looks too aggressive and intimidates the jury panel. Eyeglasses improve how intelligent you sound to the jurors. Navy blue looks trustworthy.

Blankenship CHARLESTON -- From the moment a case is placed on a judge's docket, an attorney may begin to think about how the judge might affect the outcome of the case.

Blankenship CHARLESTON -- Lawyers spend years honing their skills as advocates for their clients. With each filing, brief, motion, argument, and trial, lawyers practice the best way to tell a client's story in mediation, before the bench and in front of a jury.

Blankenship In many cases, an attorney would find it helpful to get a play-by-play as to how a jury panel perceives different themes, messages, and points of a trial.

Blankenship CHARLESTON -- Every attorney believes he or she knows how to win a case. Knowing how your case can be lost is often more important.

CHARLESTON -- Litigation research is a constantly evolving science. One thing that remains surprisingly constant is the similarity in people's opinions. Interview enough people about the same subject and you will soon find that there are a finite number of opinions and perceptions.

CHARLESTON -- In preparing for a trial, an attorney studies every aspect of a case –- the laws, the principals, the precedents -– and forms strategies based on what he or she learns during this research phase of case preparation.

CHARLESTON -- You and your client are facing a monumental challenge -– a lawsuit. After exhaustive research and analysis, you are confident you can secure a positive outcome for you and your client. It all comes down to the verdict.