Articles
Mission Statement:
“Since time began,” says Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Why Buffalo Dance,”we’ve told stories to inform, reach, inspire, chronicle, and especially, to create meaning out of a perpetual avalanche of events and information.” A story lives at the heart of every form of communication. The best communicators know the persuasive power of a story. Lightning Rod Communications’ mission is to show lawyers how to identify, shape and effectively deliver their clients legal stories using language with power, passion and precision. In turn, lawyers influence listeners’ experiences of their clients’ legal stories so that listeners recognize themselves in the stories.
Experience:
Law school teaches you to ‘think like a lawyer.’ Lightning Rod Communications teaches you to ‘feel like a juror.’ Together, these companion skill sets make for powerful legal storytelling. We help lawyers become more persuasive communicators by instilling the confidence and focus needed to build their case points memorably. We work with you to objectively identify the negative aspects of your case as well as the positive ones.
Ultimately, litigators and transactional attorneys learn to decisively use a compelling story structure to move the factfinder toward desired decisions. Diane F. Wyzga has cemented a strong national presence as the only RN, JD, and professionally-trained storyteller helping attorneys win cases by developing their creativity, critical listening and persuasive communication skills. She teaches attorneys how to use storytelling techniques and principles to translate compelling case images into desired verdict action.
With over 20 years’ experience in nursing, business, law and communications, Diane founded Lightning Rod Communications to develop the lawyer’s inherent abilities to identify, shape and effectively deliver the client’s story using language with power, passion and precision. Diane specializes in legal communications strategy, focus groups, opening statements, and MCLE programs.
Our clients recognize that Lightning Rod Communications:
- skillfully moderates focus groups and analyzes the research to comprehensively assist them from discovery through voir dire to trial or ADR,
- efficiently prepares witnesses to speak with confidence and focus, and
- reliably guides them through developing and delivering winning legal communication.
