For the past 20 years, Steve Son has been involved in nearly every type of litigation, in both state and federal venues across the nation, and in every facet of litigation consulting. He has designed, conducted and assisted in hundreds of mock trials and focus groups, post-trial juror interviews, and jury selections (including the development of voir dire questions, juror questionnaires, and juror profiles as well as in-court jury selection assistance). He has also worked with numerous lay and expert witnesses to better prepare them for deposition and trial testimony, conducted shadow juries, mock arbitrations, and created and implemented case testing, community attitude and change of venue surveys.
Steve specializes in identifying and confronting potential case vulnerabilities as well as anticipating the issues jurors (as well as judges and arbitrators) want addressed and then structuring those elements into the simplest, most persuasive story. Examples of the types of cases worked on include employment, negligence, pharmaceuticals, personal injury and wrongful death, toxic tort, contract, class action, intellectual property, securities, fraud, product liability, insurance, anti-trust, construction, and more.
Steve has a background in interdisciplinary social psychology (with an emphasis in law) and experimental psychology, including statistics, research methods, small group behavior, and survey design and implementation. He has training and experience in both qualitative and quantitative research.
Prior to joining Fillichio & Hastings in 2021, Steve was a Senior Consultant with DecisionQuest. As a graduate student, he conducted change of venue surveys, designed and moderated focus groups and assisted in mock trials for litigation consulting firms and the Public Defender’s Office. His dissertation work was focused on an analysis of the structure and effectiveness of capital case voir dire questioning.
Education
- University of Nevada, Reno, Ph.D., Social Psychology, 2004.
- Indiana State University, M.S., Experimental Psychology, 2001.
- University of Illinois, B.S., Psychology, 1996.
Select Publications
“Work, Sex and the Morning News”, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation: A Practical Handbook for Plaintiff and Defense, with Susan Fillichio, Esq. and Thi Quang, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice, 2019.
“How Important Is Race When Selecting a Jury?” Legal Communications Corporation, Supplement, 2005.
Notable Speaking Engagements
“Jury Selection” ABA Trial Academy, April 2016.
“Jury Selection: How to Improve Voir Dire,” Inns of Court, March 2008.
“Is What You Said What They Heard? Using Psychology to Improve Your Practice,” Maryland State Bar Association, June 2006.
“Understanding the Use of Psychology in the Courtroom,” Westmoreland Bar Association, November 2005.
“Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, April 2005.
“How Juries View Technology in the Courtroom,” Inns of Court, April 2005.
“What Jurors Really Think,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, March 2005.