Dr. Dan Jacks, PhD
Partner
30+ Years Shaping Jury Strategy in High-Stakes Litigation
Dr. Dan Jacks is a nationally recognized jury consultant with over 30 years of experience helping attorneys, corporations, and insurers understand juror psychology, assess trial risk, and develop winning case strategies.
With experience on hundreds of cases—from complex commercial disputes to high-profile federal prosecutions—Dr. Jacks combines rigorous research methodology with practical courtroom insight.
Key Credentials
- 30+ years in jury consulting and trial strategy
- Thousands of jurors and mock jurors interviewed
- Co-founder of Act4 Consulting and Stitch Risk Assessment
- Former Partner at EDGE Litigation Consulting (13 years)
About Dr. Dan Jacks
Experience That Matters
For three decades, Dr. Dan Jacks has specialized in the art and science of jury persuasion. His work spans jury selection, mock trial facilitation, witness preparation, and sophisticated online jury research. Dr. Jacks understands what moves jurors—and what doesn’t.
Before co-founding Act4 Consulting and Stitch Risk Assessment with his longtime business partner Dr. Mark Sobus, Dr. Jacks spent 13 years as a partner at EDGE Litigation Consulting, where he built a reputation for helping trial teams win in plaintiff-friendly venues and navigate complex, high-exposure cases.
His career also includes senior consulting roles at R&D Strategic Solutions and DecisionQuest, two of the nation’s premier litigation consulting firms.
Pioneering Jury Research Methodology
Dr. Jacks and Dr. Sobus have developed an innovative approach that combines:
- Tailored online jury research through Stitch Risk Assessment
- Decades of in-person consulting experience
- Data-driven risk modeling to help corporate clients accurately predict jury outcomes
This methodology allows legal teams to make informed strategic decisions about settlement, trial preparation, and case positioning.
Practice Areas & Expertise
Core Services
- Jury Consulting & Trial Strategy – Comprehensive case analysis and strategic planning
- Mock Trials – In-person simulations with recruited jurors matching venue demographics
- Online Jury Research – Fast and efficient digital research through Stitch Risk Assessment
- Jury Selection & Voir Dire – Strategic planning and in-court support
- Witness Preparation – Pragmatic coaching that differs from traditional methods
- Risk Assessment – Data-driven evaluation of jury trial exposure for corporations and insurers
- Theme & Narrative Development – Crafting persuasive case stories that resonate with jurors
- Focus Groups – Targeted research on specific case issues or themes
Case Types
- Complex commercial litigation
- Catastrophic personal injury
- Product liability
- Intellectual property and patent disputes
- Insurance bad faith
- Medical malpractice
- Pharmaceutical litigation
- Oil & gas litigation (refinery explosions, well blowouts)
- Aviation accidents
- Federal criminal defense and prosecution
- Death penalty cases
Geographic Focus
- Primary: Texas and Louisiana (in-person mock trials and consulting)
- National: All 50 states
- Based in: Kingwood / Houston, Texas area
Philosophy & Approach
Dr. Jacks believes that jurors can still be persuaded—even in today’s skeptical climate—when attorneys speak directly and clearly to their concerns. His approach emphasizes:
- Understanding juror psychology – What truly drives decision-making
- Authentic communication – Helping witnesses and attorneys connect genuinely with jurors
- Data-informed strategy – Combining research with seasoned judgment
- Plaintiff-friendly venue expertise – Winning difficult cases in challenging jurisdictions
- Corporate defense specialization – Helping large companies earn jury trust
His witness preparation is distinctly pragmatic, focusing on impact and authenticity rather than scripted responses.
Education
- Ph.D., Clinical & Research Psychology – Texas A&M University
- B.S., Psychology – Baylor University
Professional Background
- Partner & Co-Founder | Act4 Consulting (Current) – Texas-based jury consulting firm specializing in in-person mock trials and trial consulting
- Partner & Co-Founder | Stitch Risk Assessment (Current) – National platform for online jury research and trial risk assessment
- Partner & Founder | EDGE Litigation Consulting, LLC – 13 years building one of the nation’s premier jury consulting practices
- Senior Consultant | R&D Strategic Solutions, LLC
- Director | DecisionQuest, Inc.
The Act4 & Stitch Difference
Dr, Jacks co-founded two completmentary companies to serve different client needs:
Act4 Consulting
Traditional, high-touch jury consulting with in-person mock trials, jury selection, and witness preparation. Ideal for high-stakes cases requiring comprehensive trial preparation.
Stitch Risk Assessment
Innovative online jury research platform that provides cost-effective, scalable research for corporate clients and insurers. Combines technology with expert analysis to accurately assess case risk and develop mitigation strategies.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Dr. Jacks is a sought-after speaker at legal conferences and CLE programs. His presentations have covered topics including:
- The Impact of Social Media on Today’s Trials
- Jury Selection in Bad Faith Cases
- Persuading Skeptical Jurors in Corporate Defense Cases
- Patent Litigation and Jury Attitudes
- What Jurors Need to Hear in Pharmaceutical Cases
- Voir Dire Strategy and Techniques
- Medical Malpractice Jury Attitudes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a jury consultant do?
A jury consultant helps attorneys understand how jurors think, select favorable jurors, test case themes through mock trials, prepare witnesses, and develop persuasive trial strategies based on research and experience.
Does Dr. Jacks work on cases outside Texas?
Yes. While Act4 Consulting focuses on Texas and Louisiana with in-person services, Stitch Risk Assessment supports cases nationwide through online jury research.
What types of cases has Dr. Jacks consulted on?
Dr. Jacks has worked on hundreds of cases spanning commercial litigation, catastrophic injury, product liability, intellectual property, insurance disputes, medical malpractice, and high-profile criminal prosecutions including death penalty cases.
How does online jury research work?
Through Stitch Risk Assessment, Dr. Jacks recruits venue-appropriate jurors for online focus groups and surveys, gathering data on attitudes, biases, and likely verdict outcomes. This provides cost-effective research with quick turnaround.
What makes Dr. Jacks’ approach different?
Dr. Jacks combines rigorous psychological research training with 30 years of practical trial experience. His witness preparation is pragmatic rather than scripted, and his methodology integrates both traditional mock trials and innovative online research.
Can Dr. Jacks help with jury selection?
Yes. Dr. Jacks provides comprehensive voir dire planning and can attend jury selection in person to provide real-time strategic guidance.
What is the difference between Act4 Consulting and Stitch Risk Assessment?
Act4 Consulting offers traditional, in-person jury consulting services including mock trials and witness preparation. Stitch Risk Assessment provides online jury research and risk modeling, offering a more cost-effective solution for corporate clients needing data-driven case evaluation.