Lauren Modelski JD

Lauren Modelski JD

Lauren Modelski
JD

Consultant

Lauren leverages her training in psychology and past experience as a litigator to help JurySync clients strategize more effectively, better understand juror decision-making, and achieve desired outcomes at trial.

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STRATEGY LEARNER ACHIEVER INDIVIDUALIZATION IDEATION

Lauren Modelski

Tell us about your experience.

I worked as a white-collar criminal defense and commercial litigation attorney for eight years, working on high-profile government investigations, qui tam suits, antitrust matters, securities litigations, and contract or other business disputes.  I returned to grad school to pursue an advanced degree in Applied Psychology where I focused on human decision-making, cognition, emotion, and group dynamics.

Before joining JurySync, I served as a researcher at Harvard Business School, focusing on research topics such as leadership, teams, and psychological safety.  I also worked in a small boutique consulting firm crafting fully customized surveys on behalf of organizations to provide data-driven solutions to such issues such as employee engagement.

These diverse experiences have shaped me professionally, providing me with a unique perspective and consulting skill-set to offer JurySync clients.

What are you known for?

My curious and adventurous spirit.  My dedication to handwork and self-improvement.  My ability to see things on a deeper level.  Also probably my wit and sense of humor.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Staying active.  Whether it’s a match of tennis, kayaking at a local lake, or hiking with friends, it’s important for me to keep my body moving.  But it’s equally important to keep expanding my mind and my perspective on life—reading books, visiting art museums, and traveling to faraway places to learn about other cultures.

What do you do at JurySync?

At JurySync, I conduct research on juror decision-making to aid our clients in shaping impactful, persuasive arguments that will resonate with jurors.  Whether it is meeting with clients in pre-litigation  strategy sessions, conducting mock juror research, or assisting with juror selection, the end goal is to help our clients achieve their desired outcomes at trial.

How did you get in this line of work? What keeps you in it?

I have always been intrigued by human behavior and decision-making.  The best aspects of law are analyzing how it shapes human behavior and how human behavior shapes law.

When studying and practicing law, in my spare time I found myself coming back to psychology in many ways.  Whether taking legal classes that incorporated the social sciences, working in the mental health legal clinic at UChicago Law, or reading psychology studies in my spare time, studying human behavior has always been something I was passionate about.  This passion drove me to return to school to pursue an advanced degree in Applied Psychology at USC.  It was in this program that I was first exposed to jury consulting, and things just clicked into place from there.

This profession uniquely allows me to leverage my skillset as a strategist and marries my interest in both law and psychology.  I’m at my professional best when I’m doing work where I can turn abstract ideas into practical solutions for my clients.

What do you like best about JurySync?

The JurySync team is comprised of some of the most impressive, educated, and hard-working individuals you could imagine.  At the same time, they are also warm, caring, and down-to-earth.  It’s a rare combination and makes being part of this team extremely special.

How do you contribute to the success of JurySync clients?

My experience as a white-collar defense and commercial litigation attorney provides me with a deep understanding of the legal process, the pressures experienced by counsel, and how best to leverage psychology throughout the litigation process.  As a result of this background, I am able to find practical ways to implement our team’s psychological insights to achieve the ultimate end goal of better influencing juror decision-making.

Where and how did you grow up?

I grew up in and around the Southside of Chicago.  Most of the year, I was traveling around the Midwest playing competitive softball.  When I wasn’t outside playing catch, homerun derby, or running bases with my brothers, you could find me with my nose in a book.

When do you think, “Man, I love what I do”?

When we capture counterintuitive insights for our clients that become turning points for their cases.  It drives home the importance of understanding human emotion and cognition on a deeper level.

Tell us about your education background.

I earned my Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School.  Prior to that, I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Honors College, earning a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Business.  I am currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California.

Publications and Presentations

Co-editor. Deep Purpose: How Courageous Leaders Unlock Potential. Harvard Business School · Oct. – Dec., 2022.

Co-author. DPAs and Plea Agreements: The Tradeoffs. Corporate Counsel · Jan 5, 2015.

Co-author. Smith & Wesson Settlement Raises FCPA Concerns for U.S. Businesses, May Establish a New Claim for an Insufficient Compliance Program. Bloomberg BNA Corporate Law & Accountability Report · Aug 1, 2014.

Co-author. Three’s Company or Three’s a Crowd? Working with Third Parties during an Internal Investigation. Internal Investigation 2014, Practising Law Institute · Jun 1, 2014

Co-panelist. Employees’ Post-Pandemic Return to Office: Case Study and Multidisciplinary Mashup. Society of Organizational Industrial Psychologists. (forthcoming April 20, 2023)

See how our team can help you succeed.

From research to strategy to at-trial consulting, JurySync will be your trusted ally in evaluating the case and developing theories and themes that set you up for success.