About Emily
Dr. Emily McDonald is a Litigation Consultant with Bloom Strategic Consulting, where she applies her deep expertise in sociology and social psychology to uncover how jurors perceive evidence, arguments, and parties in the courtroom. She specializes in identifying the social, psychological, and procedural factors that influence juror decision-making.
Dr. McDonald has critically analyzed data from over 100 mock jury studies conducted nationwide, providing counsel with practical insights and strategic recommendations on how trial jurors are likely to interpret key elements of a case. Her work is essential in refining case strategy and elevating the clarity and effectiveness of courtroom communication.
Areas of Focus
Dr. McDonald consults with legal teams across every phase of litigation, including:
- Strategic guidance during jury selection
- Voir dire methodology and supplemental juror questionnaire (SJQ) design
- Opening statement development
- Post-trial juror interviews and verdict analysis
- Mock jury data analysis and strategic reporting
She has consulted on a wide range of complex civil, criminal defense, family, and employment litigation.
Academic & Research Background
Emily holds a Ph.D. in Sociology with a specialization in Social Psychology from the University of North Texas. Her dissertation focused on the psychological factors influencing juror decision-making in awarding compensatory and punitive damages, using a sample of Dallas County jurors.
She also earned a Master’s in Criminal Justice from UNT and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Her academic career includes adjunct faculty positions at:
- University of North Texas
- Texas Woman’s University
- Collin County Community College
She has taught courses in Sociology, Social Psychology, Statistics, Methods, Criminal Justice, and Criminology.
Publications & Presentations
Emily is a frequent speaker and author on jury psychology, gender bias, and litigation strategy. She has conducted CLEs and attorney education programs, and her published works include:
- “Gender Bias in the Courtroom”
- “New Perspectives on the Modern Juror”
- “Telling the Truth Effectively”
- “Connecting the Dots from Voir Dire to Opening Statement”
Published Articles (Texas Lawyer):
- How to Maximize the Effectiveness of Voir Dire (April 16, 2012)
- How to Help Jurors Render a Favorable Decision (September 17, 2012)
Teaching Witnesses to Help the Jury (November 19, 2012)