Nancy Geenen MEd, JD, SHRM-SCP

The robust economy, high productivity, and a 3.7% unemployment rate—the lowest in decades—has prompted businesses of all sizes to double down on recruiting and hiring efforts. They’re eager to fill vacancies at every level, from minimum-wage jobs to executive roles—yet these efforts often overlook an important resource.

Look past the disability and you'll see a person with talent who is making a contribution.

It's National Employee Appreciation Day. Discover the many ways that business owners show their employees gratitude.

Those embracing disability and inclusion best practices are financially outperforming companies that don't.

People with disabilities historically have had lower rates of employment and workforce participation. But with the overall unemployment rate remaining under 4 percent in the U.S., employers including Microsoft, Walgreen and JPMorgan Chase are creating inclusive recruitment programs for individuals with disabilities to help close this talent gap.

Employment rates won't change until companies begin to shift attitudes and awareness about people with disabilities.

Preparation is key to a successful international arbitration.International arbitration proceedings share many key characteristics with arbitration proceedings held in the United States, yet they require very different preparation efforts.

Trying cases is, at its core, about effective presentation of facts and argument to achieve a desired outcome. Jurors expect information to be conveyed in an efficient and comprehensible manner, regardless of the complexity of the issues at hand. A successful trial attorney has impact on jurors—and moreover, in the broader courtroom—because the attorney is authentic, well-versed in how to operate effectively and efficiently, and team-oriented.

As businesses become more international, so do their disputes, which can raise a whole host of new issues for general counsel who are more used to the U.S. court system than international arbitration. Ms. Meleski interviews experts on issues unique to international arbitration. Nancy discusses the importance of drafting arbitration clauses and the selection of arbitrators.

Helping a jury understand the core issues in any kind of case is tough in IP trials. Ms. Ciccatelli interviewed Nancy about how best to increase a jury's comprehension of core issues in IP trials.
Translating the technical innovation to the human mission helps juries care about the inventor, the company, and the commercialization process... . Attorneys increase a jury’s comprehension of core issues in an IP trial by helping the jury understand the “why” of the technology, rather than just… Show more

Helping a jury understand the core issues in any kind of case is tough in IP trials. Ms. Ciccatelli interviewed Nancy about how best to increase a jury's comprehension of core issues in IP trials.
Translating the technical innovation to the human mission helps juries care about the inventor, the company, and the commercialization process... . Attorneys increase a jury’s comprehension of core issues in an IP trial by helping the jury understand the “why” of the technology, rather than just the what. Show less

Experienced trial attorneys treat every case as if it is the one that will go to trial, reading jury instructions at the beginning of the case, seizing opportunities to make presentations, and approaching a trial with child-like wonder instead of fear. Understanding the interplay between trial preparation and trial strategy is often the skill that differentiates great trial lawyers from good trial lawyers.

Some successful trial lawyers are born with storytelling skills that are compelling and persuasive, but most are made through years of practice, using tools and resources that increase the odds of winning at trial. A mock trial, backed by solid social science and the experience of jury consultants who understand group dynamics and behavior, is one of those important tools to prepare for trial.

Nancy Geenen was quoted in a Law360 article about managing heavy workloads associated with high-pressure litigation. She commented on the importance of communicating with the legal team and developing a clear plan for managing the trial presentation process.

Winning trial teams almost always have at least one thing in common: individual members capable of working in smooth concert with one another to achieve a desired outcome. A trial often brings together a diverse group of intelligent, driven and competitive people for the first time—and there's typically little time to find the rhythm and working style necessary to win.

An experienced trial consultant helps prepare the expert to persuade the trier of fact that the expert’s process is reliable, fair and persuasive; and moves the expert from the report, through a script, to a memorable discussion that includes exhibits and demonstratives. Persuasive expert testimony connects the key messages that make the opinion reliable and fair with memorable graphics that simplify the complex concepts in a delivery style that is pleasant and helpful.

Nancy Geenen participated in a round table discussion with trial experts who have clocked thousands of courtroom hours, and boast deep experience advising both new and seasoned trial attorneys. These seasoned trial attorneys revealed their tried-and-true tips and insights.

Nancy Geenen is one of 20 women who shared their experiences on the way to breaking the glass ceiling in her chapter titled, Ten Daily Habits of a Leader. In the vibrant twenty-first century, women are demonstrating that they are equally capable of succeeding in the entrepreneurial world; in fact, not just succeeding but leading. Women Who Mean Business celebrates leading female entrepreneurs and the achievements (and failures) that propelled them to where they are today.

Rehearsing important presentations is a time-management issue and a trial priority. Excuses abound: “I never rehearse, because I’m only good when I’m on,” or “I don’t have enough time for this” or “I’m best when I’m winging it” or “I know this stuff cold; who needs to rehearse?” Rehearsals are about delivery of content so that delivery does not stand in the way of the message.

This article explores often-overlooked opportunities to solidify the bond between litigation counsel and end client, especially the in-house counsel.

In a design patent infringement suit, the parties asked the jury to determine whether the shapes of electrodes on an LED were rounded or straight. The rounded shape was protected by a number of design patents held by the plaintiff. The plaintiff needed to convince the jury that the typical cell phone industry buyer of LEDs cared about the way the LED looked as much as it cared about its functionality. This article explores the unique challenges of creating a visual strategy for courtroom… Show more

In a design patent infringement suit, the parties asked the jury to determine whether the shapes of electrodes on an LED were rounded or straight. The rounded shape was protected by a number of design patents held by the plaintiff. The plaintiff needed to convince the jury that the typical cell phone industry buyer of LEDs cared about the way the LED looked as much as it cared about its functionality. This article explores the unique challenges of creating a visual strategy for courtroom presentation in a design patent infringement case. Show less

This article examines calendar and activity milestones during the three-to-four-month period before making an opening statement at trial. A comprehensive checklist of activities and tasks is vital for success in today’s high-stakes civil litigation, especially as a guideline for in-house counsel with budgetary concerns who may not have experience in trial preparation and delivery timelines.

While matter-level engagement letters take extra time and care to draft, they manage expectations of the client and protect the lawyer from claims for malpractice and breach of loyalty.

Nancy offers advice for dealing with a senior attorney whose attention to files on his desk is slipping.This fact pattern presents multiple risk management issues for the managing partner, including malpractice, lost revenues, succession planning, business and career development of junior partners, and retirement or involuntary separation for the colleague in question. When a situation like this starts to unfold, there are often more questions than answers. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on… Show more

Nancy offers advice for dealing with a senior attorney whose attention to files on his desk is slipping.This fact pattern presents multiple risk management issues for the managing partner, including malpractice, lost revenues, succession planning, business and career development of junior partners, and retirement or involuntary separation for the colleague in question. When a situation like this starts to unfold, there are often more questions than answers. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on three fact-driven conversations that take place immediately and on parallel tracks. Delay practically guarantees a “reportable event” down the line. Show less

In this special issue, Nancy talks about her management style and philosophy.

An invaluable resource for experienced trial attorneys, inexperienced trial attorneys looking to advance to the next level of trial practice, and corporate counsel who handle litigation, this book looks at the role courtroom psychology plays in modern trial practice. Nancy contributed the preface to the chapter on Opening Statements.