Dog bite cases are rarely about just one victim—they’re about public safety, accountability, and preventing the next attack.

"You have to show that this could happen to pretty much anyone. This could happen anytime, anywhere. You have to get the jury's mind ticking, and get them to see that it's not just that person who got bit on the face, it's anybody."

Ashley Strandjord describes her approach to prosecuting dog attacks, and other personal injury cases, demonstrating their impact on individuals, communities and societies. Through her work, Ashley helps victims harmed by negligent or careless behavior. She’s known for her meticulous case preparation, strategic litigation skills, and compassionate representation.

In this episode, we discuss:

◼️ Why dog bite cases are emotionally driven, but also time-consuming, and therefore how to prepare your case.
◼️ How notice requirements can complicate dog bite cases.
◼️ How dog owners have a legal duty to secure their pets, and the nuances of this on a case.
◼️ Why establishing a pattern of incidents is what strengthens a case.
◼️ How to build credibility with the jury, something critical for success.
◼️ Why courtroom etiquette can have such a strong influence on jury perception.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Dog Bite Cases
03:05 The Emotional Impact of Dog Bite Cases
05:56 Legal Responsibilities of Dog Owners
08:54 Navigating Notice Requirements in Dog Bite Cases
17:56 The Importance of Evidence in Court
20:53 Accountability and Deterrence
23:56 The Broader Implications of Dog Bite Cases
27:02 Trial Strategies
36:00 Building Credibility in the Courtroom
38:58 Practical Tips for Trial Attorneys
41:48 The Human Element in Legal Practice

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.

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Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki