Survey research is acquiring a more prominent role in a wide variety of litigation, and Southern Opinion Research has the expertise and experience to help you understand survey research and to commission the kind of research that would be supported of the arguments you make and the positions you want to take for your clients.

A lawyer can no longer assert the need for a change of venue simply because of massive publicity or because an environment might appear hostile. Change of venue motions need the support of survey research. Southern Opinion Research has been conducting change of venue surveys for a number of years. Our clients have included both criminal attorneys and civil litigants who have found themselves in less than friendly court districts.

Intellectual property litigation is another area in which survey research plays a major role. Consumer confusion, trademark violation and dilutions are just some of the areas where survey research can be used. In these cases, survey research is often cited by both sides of the issue, and attorneys need expert testimony to examine the surveys produced by opponents and to counter the arguments that they make. Southern Opinion Research is experience at providing such expertise and in advising lawyers on how to assess survey results presented by opposing counsel.

Another area of litigation where survey research can be helpful but is often overlooked is defamation. A well conceived survey that gathers public opinion about a person’s reputation can provide evidence about whether or not a plaintiff has been libeled. The expertise on libel that the co-directors of Southern Opinion Research bring a case can enhance the arguments made in such cases.

Recent cases

United States v. Rudolph. Southern Opinion Research conducted a number surveys around the country for the team of lawyers defending Eric Rudolph, the man accused of planting bombs at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and at an abortion clinic in Birmingham. These surveys measured opinions about Rudolph and about the death penalty in a number of federal districts from Birmingham to Seattle.

Jernigan v. General Motors. Faced with a $100 million-plus verdict in a product liability case in a hostile Alabama environment, lawyers for General Motors turned to Southern Opinion Research for help in arguing forcefully that the chances of a fair trial in the venue where the case was brought were remote. The survey results produced by Southern Opinion Research helped lawyers on both side settle the case quickly.

Clients

• J. Houston Gordon, Esq. (Covington, Tennessee)

• King & Spalding (Atlanta, Georgia) <http://www.kslaw.com/>

• Jaffe, Strickland & Drennan, P.C. (Birmingham, Alabama) <http://www.rjaffelaw.com/>

• Robert Tuten, Esq. (Huntsville, Alabama)