Holland & Hart's Persuasion Strategies Team Wins National Award For "Most Innovative Use Of Technology During A Trial"
DENVER (January 17, 2007) - Holland & Hart's Persuasion Strategies Graphics and Video team, headed by Pen Volkmann, received word this week that it has won Law Technology News' 2006 "Most Innovative Use of Technology During a Trial" award.
In May 2006, a Miami jury awarded more than $110 million to Costa Rican clients of Holland & Hart following a two month trial. Most of the visual exhibits gathered for the case and used during the trial were the result of efforts by Pen Volkmann and his team. Holland & Hart's Persuasion Strategies also includes a Litigation Consulting team of four doctorate level communication consultants, which is headed by Dr. Kenneth Broda-Bahm. The Persuasion Strategies Graphics and Video Group was recognized for using technology out of Hollywood to translate extremely complex testimony into artistically appealing visuals that persuaded the jury to return the largest single verdict in a long line of cases against E.I. DuPont de Nemours for a defective fungicide product called Benlate. Mr. Volkmann's team helped to present complex science and accounting data in a way that was understandable and engaging for a jury that ranged from eighth-grade graduates to professionals with advanced degrees.
"Pen and our Persuasion Strategies team of animators, graphic designers, videographers, and trial consultants are dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of technology," said firm Chairman, Paul Phillips. "Their creativity and passion show in all of their work from the courtroom to the boardroom. Over the course of the last fifteen years, we have developed a communication technology team to assist our lawyers and clients."
Only five law firms received these awards in categories such as "Most Innovative Use of Technology by a Law Firm" and "Most Innovative Pro Bono Use of Technology". These awards recognize the best technology use in the legal profession, according to the publication. Law firm and in-house nominations were solicited from the magazine's 40,000 subscribers and through the publication's Web site. The recipients were selected by an independent panel of three jurors, all members of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board.
"Today's law firms and legal departments face unprecedented pressures to deliver better, faster, and cheaper services. These leaders all have demonstrated creativity, determination, and spirit in meeting those goals," said Monica Bay, Editor-n-Chief of Law Technology News.
Mr. Volkmann is the director of the Persuasion Strategies Graphics and Video Group and has been creating legal animations for 18 years and computer graphics for 20. He credits the win to the fantastic team of seven artists he leads. "I don't think we would have won either the case nor this honor without the amazing 3D animation work of Pam Miller, the graphic design by Jason Bullinger, computer modeling by Matt Wessel, Power Point production by Damian Griffin, 24-hour onsite support by Nick Bouck, remote support by Chance Dodd, and finally, the video editing and courtroom presentation operation by Don Yost. Not only is every member of our team extremely talented and dedicated, but they share the rare ability to translate complex concepts into engaging info-graphics," Mr. Volkmann said
Persuasion Strategies Graphics and Video is a service group of Holland & Hart. They have, over the last fifteen years, created still and animated demonstrative exhibits for state and federal trials. They work on cases across the United States, from New York City to Los Angeles and extensively in the greater Rocky Mountain region. With a strong background in the sciences, Mr. Volkmann's group has illustrated opinions in environmental, patent, personal injury, labor, contract, construction, and trademark litigation. They have assisted in large cases with billions of dollars at stake, to small pro bono defenses of constitutional rights.
More information on the awards and winners will be available in the March issue of Law Technology News and on their Web site at www.lawtechnologynews.com/awards.
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