Most lawyers would have taken the $400,000…

The plaintiff had healed. No surgery. Relatively modest medical bills. Plenty of risk heading into trial.

But attorney Matthew Wilson saw something bigger.

In this episode of Sari Swears, Matthew breaks down how he turned down the highest offer in the case, took it to verdict, and watched a jury return $1.8 million.

More importantly, he shares what changed his approach in the courtroom.

For years, voir dire was the part of trial that terrified him most. Then he started doing something different—having real conversations with jurors instead of relying on the same old script.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How a "small" injury case became a seven-figure verdict
• The overlooked damages that resonated with jurors
• What focus groups revealed about suing a city
• How authenticity changed Matthew's entire approach to voir dire
• The moment he realized jurors don't need perfection—they need a real person

And perhaps the most powerful part of the story isn't the verdict itself. 😉

Love,
Sari

Today marks five years since the day I learned there was no more cancer in my body.

It's a milestone that means more to me than I can put into words.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm sharing the full story—from the diagnosis that changed everything, to the moments I was certain I couldn't do it, to the people who carried me through when I couldn't carry myself.

It's a story about hope, gratitude, and what it means to keep going when you don't know how the story ends.

If you've ever walked through a hard season—or loved someone who has—I hope you'll listen. 💖

Love,
Sari

Quote:

"There were many times during treatment when I would look at Kevin and say, 'Tell me how it goes.' I needed him to tell me the story of a future I couldn't see for myself. And every time, he would paint a picture of survival, healing, and getting our life back."

Sari de la Motte

Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears

Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@SariDLM

Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

One of the most common mistakes I see attorneys make in voir dire is unintentionally putting jurors in the wrong seat.

When jurors answer your questions, they're automatically imagining themselves in that situation—and their brains are looking for ways they would have avoided the outcome.

That's not because they're against you.

It's because that's how people are wired.

In this week's podcast, I break down:

• What it means to put jurors in the right seat
• How defensive attribution shapes juror thinking
• Why some questions accidentally create defense arguments
• How to structure questions that generate plaintiff-friendly principles

It's a simple concept that can completely change the answers you get in voir dire.

Love,
Sari

P.S. If you're ready to go deeper on voir dire, join me June 17–18 in Portland for my live Voir Dire Masterclass. We'll workshop your actual case, build stronger funnels, and help you avoid the common mistakes that can derail jury selection.
→ Grab Your Seat NOW: https://sariswears.com/voir-dire

Quote:

"When jurors hear a story involving danger, their brains automatically place themselves into that situation and start looking for all the ways they would have avoided the outcome. That's not because they're against you. It's because that's exactly how the human brain is designed to work."

Sari de la Motte

Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears

Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@SariDLM

Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/