What First Court does

First Court, Inc. is a U.S.-based jury research and trial consulting firm founded in 1989 that serves attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, and corporations with services to evaluate litigation risk and prepare for trial. The company operates a portfolio of research formats including private jury trials, three-hour trials, legal focus groups, and mock trials, complemented by trial consulting, jury selection consulting, witness preparation, trial graphics and video production, and alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration) through a nationwide panel of neutrals that has facilitated over 1,700 mediations.

The firm's core technology consists of two proprietary platforms: Vulcan Interactive, an online mock trial software with real-time chat collaboration, webcam-enabled juror feedback, and remote stakeholder participation, and JuryReactions, a web-based service that enables jurors from trial venues to log in asynchronously and provide structured feedback on case materials, lawyers, and witnesses. The firm also offers an AI-assisted Juror Background Research service that aggregates voter registration, employment, legal history, and social media information to support voir dire preparation. First Court serves customers across 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Revenue is generated primarily through project-based professional services fees, with mediation services billed hourly per party at disclosed rates of $225-$300 per hour. The go-to-market is direct B2B enterprise sales to litigation teams and claims departments, supported by content marketing (blog, webinars, e-books, email newsletter) and event-driven demand generation. In January 2026, First Court was acquired by IMS Legal Strategies, with the team of approximately 20 professionals, including CEO Ryan Liffrig, joining IMS while preserving First Court's brand and operational continuity.

Name

First Court

Legal name

First Court, Inc.

Website

https://firstcourt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Court, Inc. is a U.S. jury research and trial consulting firm founded in 1989 that provides attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, and corporations with mock trials, focus groups, jury selection consulting, trial graphics, mediation, and arbitration services across 49 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Trial Consulting & Jury Research Services

NAICS

Other Legal Services (54119)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Litigation & Dispute Resolution (BPAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Litigation Support & Expert Witness Services (BPAHALAG)

Keywords

• Jury research services
• Mock trial consulting
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Trial consulting services
• Jury selection consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Mandan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Jury Research and Mock Trial Services: First Court conducts private jury trials, focus groups, and mock trials for attorneys and corporations. These services provide insights into jury decision-making, case strengths/weaknesses, and settlement guidance. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for research services.
2. Trial Consulting: Beginning-to-end trial support including jury selection assistance, game-changing guidance from litigation consultants, and data-backed advice. Revenue is generated through consulting fees.
3. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): First Court provides mediation and arbitration services through a nationwide panel of neutrals. Mediators charge hourly rates (e.g., $225-$300 per hour per party) for dispute resolution services.
4. Trial Graphics and Video: Creation of trial graphics, animations, videos, timelines, diagrams, and PowerPoint presentations for courtroom use. Revenue generated through creative production fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Court provides jury research, mock trials, focus groups, trial consulting, witness preparation, jury selection consulting, and alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration) services to attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, and corporations. Service delivery is supported by proprietary software platforms Vulcan Interactive (online mock trials) and JuryReactions (asynchronous web-based jury research), enabling real-time and remote juror feedback. The firm also produces trial graphics, videos, and animations, and operates a nationwide panel of mediators that has facilitated over 1,700 mediations across 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Product overview

First Court is a jury research and trial consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of research formats and legal services. The core platform consists of Vulcan Interactive software and JuryReactions online research service, supported by in-person research formats including Private Jury Trials and Three Hour Trials. The service portfolio spans mock trials, focus groups, trial consulting, jury selection consulting, witness preparation, trial graphics and video production, and a full alternative dispute resolution practice including 1 Hour Mediation and a nationwide Panel of Neutrals. Additional specialized services include Juror Background Research using AI, Prep4Dep for deposition preparation, and targeted services for healthcare disputes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vulcan Interactive First Court's proprietary online research software platform that enables real-time collaboration, juror feedback capture, and remote participation during mock trials and focus groups. Used by attorneys and trial teams to run virtual mock trials and legal focus groups with live webcam juror feedback.
• JuryReactions First Court's asynchronous online jury research service where jurors from the trial venue log in at their convenience to evaluate case materials, witnesses, and lawyers one screen at a time with live webcam feedback. Used by attorneys and litigation teams for flexible remote jury research.
• Private Jury Trial In-person mock trial research conducted at the case venue, providing a realistic trial experience with juror deliberations and verdicts for accurate case assessment. Designed for attorneys preparing for high-stakes litigation.
• Three Hour Trial Flexible, cost-effective research format enabling trial teams to test case presentation, witness effectiveness, and themes before entering the courtroom. Used for smaller cases and mid-case adjustments.
• Legal Focus Groups Legal focus groups providing qualitative data on juror reactions to case arguments, themes, and evidence presentation. Used by attorneys to test case theories and themes.
• Trial Consulting End-to-end trial support including litigation consulting, jury selection assistance, and data-backed strategic advice for trial preparation. Used by attorneys throughout the litigation lifecycle.
• Jury Selection Consulting Expert guidance on jury selection including practice voir dire sessions and juror profile development based on mock research findings. Used by attorneys preparing for voir dire.
• Witness Preparation Specialist services preparing nervous or unprepared witnesses to be collected and persuasive at trial through techniques including video recording and feedback. Used by attorneys and corporate counsel to ready witnesses for deposition or trial testimony.
• Trial Graphics & Videos Custom graphic design and video production services creating timelines, animations, graphs, maps, diagrams, and demonstratives for trial presentations. Used by trial teams to enhance courtroom presentations.
• Mediation & Arbitration Alternative dispute resolution services with nationwide panel of award-winning mediators who have facilitated over 1,700 mediations. Available to attorneys, insurance carriers, and corporations seeking efficient dispute resolution.
• 1 Hour Mediation Online mediation service enabling efficient dispute resolution in a focused one-hour session, particularly suited for cases requiring quick settlement assessment. Available to attorneys, insurance carriers, and corporations.
• Healthcare Arbitration Specialized arbitration services for healthcare-related disputes. Targeted at healthcare industry clients requiring subject-matter expert neutrals.
• Mock Arbitrations & Judge Focus Groups Research formats simulating arbitration proceedings and judge focus groups for case assessment. Used by attorneys to evaluate how arbitrators or judges might perceive their case.
• Juror Background Research AI-powered service providing comprehensive background information on jury pool members including voter registration, employment, legal history, and social media data to assist attorneys with voir dire preparation.
• Prep4Dep Deposition preparation service providing feedback on witness testimony from disinterested lay people to help witnesses improve their presentation. Used by attorneys to ready witnesses for depositions.
• Trial Technology Support Technical support services for trial presentation technology and courtroom technology integration, supporting trial teams during courtroom proceedings.
• Jury Recruiting Service for recruiting representative jurors from trial venues for mock trials and focus groups. Supports the firm's in-person jury research operations.
• Panel of Neutrals Nationwide panel of mediators and arbitrators available for alternative dispute resolution proceedings across various legal specialties including insurance, trucking, medical malpractice, employment, and personal injury.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,700+ successful mediations facilitated
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• IMS Legal StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026IMS Legal Strategies acquired First Court as part of its continued growth strategy to expand jury research and consulting capabilities. The acquisition brings First Court's team of 20 professionals, including CEO Ryan Liffrig, along with its custom Vulcan online research software and Vulcan Research Services division. First Court chose IMS for its stability and cultural fit, with both firms aiming to offer expanded resources and new technology to attorney and consultant clients.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IMS Legal Strategies: Acquirer of First Court and a broader litigation services platform offering jury consulting, trial graphics, expert witness, and advisory services. Comparable as the parent and most direct adjacent operator in the same niche, but with significantly wider service breadth.
• Magna Legal Services: Large litigation support services firm providing court reporting, record retrieval, trial services, and jury research. Comparable as a broader litigation services incumbent with overlapping jury research and trial support offerings.
• Epiq: Global litigation services and legal technology company offering eDiscovery, managed document review, and trial services including jury consulting. Comparable as a larger incumbent with overlapping litigation support capabilities.

Direct peers

• Courtroom Sciences Inc. Trial consulting and jury research firm offering mock trials, focus groups, jury selection, and ADR services to attorneys and corporate defendants. Highly comparable in core offering, customer base, and professional services model.
• Jury Impact: Jury research and trial consulting firm specializing in mock trials, juror profiling, and voir dire preparation. Direct competitor in the same product category serving similar plaintiff and defense law firm clients.
• Persuasion Strategies: Litigation consulting firm providing jury research, witness preparation, and trial strategy. Direct competitor in trial consulting — also referenced as a First Court customer, indicating partner/peer overlap in the niche.
• TrialGraphix: Trial consulting and graphics firm providing jury research, mock trials, and courtroom presentation design. Direct overlap with First Court's trial graphics, mock trial, and consulting service lines.
• Keene Trial Consulting: Specialized trial consulting practice offering jury research, focus groups, and trial strategy for plaintiff and defense attorneys. Closely comparable in scope, client type, and professional services delivery model.
• DOAR Litigation Consulting: Trial consulting and jury research firm offering mock trials, jury selection, and trial presentation services (now part of Epiq). Directly comparable in core service offering and target market of litigators and corporate counsel.

Emerging players

• National Legal Research Group: Legal research and litigation support firm providing research, writing, and consulting services to attorneys. Comparable in the broader legal support services category though with less direct overlap on jury research specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Court