As part of our series about how to become known as a thought leader in your industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Madeline Summerville.

Madeline Summerville, CEO of Georgia Trial Consulting and seasoned attorney, brings a wealth of legal experience from advising top trial lawyers in Georgia. Her strategic insights have been instrumental in securing over $200 million in winning verdicts since 2022. A graduate of Emory University School of Law, Madeline is a respected legal professional and sought-after trial and political commentator on prominent news networks.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! Our readers are eager to learn more about you. Could you provide some background information about yourself?

I graduated from Emory University with a degree in philosophy and a minor in Spanish. My honors thesis explored language development and cognitive processes in naming objects and concepts, which continues to inspire my work today.

Originally from Indianapolis, I fell in love with Atlanta during my time at Emory and decided to stay. I was accepted into Emory University School of Law, a top 50 law school, where I worked at the Barton Child Law & Policy Center. There, I researched and wrote legislation and agency policies, focusing on issues affecting incarcerated youth and undocumented immigrant children. After graduation, I joined Morgan & Morgan, the largest personal injury firm in America, continuing the family tradition — my father was a personal injury lawyer, and my mother his paralegal. Understanding the law and its applications came second nature to me.

I met my husband shortly after, who is also an attorney. He inspired me to make a career pivot.

While observing a case my husband was trying in state court, and I assisted him with jury selection. This process is called “voir dire,” and it’s where attorneys question potential jurors to decide if the juror can be fair and impartial, and free of bias (prejudice). That day helped me realize I had a natural talent for assessing potential jurors. My notes during voir dire matched his, despite him having 15 more years of experience.

This epiphany led me to build my company, Georgia Trial Consulting. As CEO, I assist attorneys by preparing witnesses, refining strategy for their legal arguments, conducting focus groups and mock trials, and selecting juries. My work is driven by a blend of legal expertise, intuition, and empathy, aiming to make a meaningful impact in the field of law

What establishes you as an authority on thought leadership? Could you briefly share your expertise with our readers?

I put in the time and threw my heart into the profession of trial consulting, working to become an expert so that my analysis was credible as a thought leader. With few formal training programs in jury consulting, I took the initiative to self-educate. For a year, I observed trials, practiced reading potential jurors’ body language, and validated my assessments by interviewing those who were dismissed from jury duty. When a potential juror was turned away, I would chase that person down the hallway and ask questions to see if my assessments were correct. Rarely was I ever wrong.

I read extensively on studies explaining human choice theory and empathy, honing my intuition and learning to trust my gut. I learned about the power of storytelling and the archetypes we rely on when processing new information. This foundation enabled me to establish Georgia Trial Consulting (GTC) as a premier firm. GTC has thrived, building a vast client base and gaining recognition for the favorable verdicts my team and I have helped secure. Since January 2022, my insights have contributed to over $200 million in winning verdicts.

My success caught the attention of media outlets, leading to interviews and appearances on MSNBC and Scripps News Network, where I share expert analysis on ongoing trials. This visibility has solidified my reputation as a thought leader in the legal field.

Can you recall a funny mistake you made when you were first starting out? What lesson did you learn from it?

In my very first jury trial ever, I was the sole attorney — I didn’t have a co-counsel, so there was no support, no second opinion, no mentor, just me. My hands were visibly shaking every time I addressed the court.

At one point, I needed to admit a document into evidence. In law school, they drilled into us the sequence of questions to establish a document’s authenticity: “Do you recognize this? What is it? Is this a fair and accurate representation?” I had practiced these questions all morning. But when I finally said, “Your Honor, I’d like to have Exhibit A admitted into evidence,” I realized I had only asked half the required questions.

I was so nervous I couldn’t remember what I had just said. The judge then asked the opposing counsel, “Any objections?”

Though both sides had agreed on the document, opposing counsel — a seasoned litigator — stood up to object. Before he could speak, the judge said, “Sit down, counsel!” I was both embarrassed and relieved.

After the trial, I thanked the judge for his kindness and mentioned it was my first trial. He looked at me and said, “I know,” with a knowing smile.

You have to get your first trial out of the way, and while I still cringe at it, I’m thankful it wasn’t a worse experience.

What are the most significant disruptions you foresee in your industry over the next five years, and how can businesses adapt to these changes?

Both news media and law are facing significant disruptions. In the media, the rise of powerful pundits mastering the art of framing a story and the concept of “alternative facts” have greatly undermined public trust. We should, and we must, have far more respect for the truth than that.

In law, technology like Chat GPT can create arguments on the spot, posing a threat to lawyers who don’t think outside the box. For simpler cases, AI could even help lay people represent themselves. This is going to force attorneys to provide a service that is more transparent and to treat their clients more like partners in litigation than they do now. If folks think they can do this work themselves, we’re going to need to show them why we are still of value.

Can you explain the benefits of becoming a thought leader? Why is it valuable to invest time and resources into this?

Becoming a thought leader is both rewarding and challenging. When you develop and articulate a unique perspective, you make yourself indispensable. You’re not just blindly repeating what others are saying; you’re offering fresh insights that are valuable and worth hearing. This originality builds trust and positions you for leadership roles, which means you have the privilege of driving meaningful change in communities and large organizations.

Investing in thought leadership enhances your credibility and influence, opening doors to significant opportunities. As a thought leader, you can shape industry conversations and influence trends, attracting new clients, partnerships, and speaking engagements.

Thought leadership is a fantastic way to grow personally. By constantly learning and sharing your knowledge, you stay ahead in your field. It also boosts confidence, knowing your insights make a difference in important discussions and solutions. Plus, it can propel your career, opening doors to exciting collaborations.

Can you share an example of a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you leveraged innovative thinking to overcome it?

Early in my career, I discovered the power of following my instincts rather than strictly adhering to traditional procedures. I inherited a stack of old files from my predecessor, many of which were simple cases that didn’t require the time and expense of going through each step of litigation to be resolved.

In my first week, I came across what I saw as a straightforward car accident case. The facts were pretty cut and dry, and the applicable law was on our side. It seemed that, if the other side saw the case the way I did, I could get them to settle. Instead of just going by the book and following traditional procedures, which involved a lengthy litigation process before settlement discussions, I decided to think outside the box. I picked up the phone and directly contacted the opposing counsel. It wasn’t against the rules, it just wasn’t how things were usually done. Opposing counsel and I talked it out, and we were able to settle the case that same day.

When my supervising attorney asked how I achieved this, I simply said, “I just picked up the phone.”

He was taken aback and admitted that most young attorneys would have followed the standard, time-consuming steps before broaching a settlement. I explained that we already had all the necessary information and documentation and so did the other side — we just needed to connect.

My supervisor was impressed and said, “I just never would have thought out-of-the-box like that.”

He noted my direct approach was unconventional but effective, and I earned his trust quickly.

This experience taught me that, while it’s crucial to know and follow the rules, trusting your instincts and being willing to deviate from the norm can lead to successful outcomes. It got the job done — and to my boss’ and my client’s satisfaction. I learned that, as long as I wasn’t breaking any rules, I could listen to my intuition and take a different approach to a problem than what my peers and I were instructed to do.

Now that we have covered that, we’d love to hear your advice on becoming a thought leader. Can you share five strategies that someone should follow to gain recognition as a thought leader in their industry? Please include examples or stories from your own experience for each strategy.

1 . Be brave. Be brave enough to follow your gut instinct when you feel in your heart it’s right. Even if you’re proven wrong, you’ll learn how to calibrate your intuition so you can trust yourself to get it right the next time. You’ll learn to rely on your gut feeling and intuition your whole life, so you should practice tuning it until you can trust it.

2 . Listen to your Heart. If you’ve spent a lot of time ignoring your heart, like I did, you’ll have to get reacquainted with it and discover what you value and cherish, and what kind of person you truly admire and want to be. Once you feel like you’ve got your heart’s compass calibrated, don’t EVER tune it out again! Your heart will be your primary guide in helping you shape your unique perspectives on the world. It’s a thought leader’s most prized possession.

3 . Call your mom — or whoever grounds you. Just do it. Thought leaders can have their heads in the clouds sometimes. Keep your feet on the ground, and don’t feel bad about asking for support to do so.

4 . Find role models. Find people who you admire or who inspire you. In terms of my career, I didn’t have a figure like that in my life to whom I was naturally drawn as a kid — which makes sense, because I didn’t come into my own until I became an adult. Once you decide what your values are, you find “your people” who are those who came before you and who inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Look at their path. Study their course. This will provide you with a framework to plan your journey.

5 . Take time to think and follow your curiosities. Albert Einstein said he got his best ideas when he was riding his bike (or perhaps dreaming)! When we allow our minds to wander freely, we get access to a whole spectrum of new ideas we would have never otherwise encountered. I used to struggle greatly with visuals and imagery. I thought I wasn’t poetic or creative enough to write a poem or a song or a speech I could be proud of. When I decided to follow my curiosities, I finally discovered ancient mythology, which was the catalyst for most of my philosophies about human nature, and has been integral in determining my career path today.

How do you foster a culture of innovation within your organization, and what practices have you found most effective in encouraging creative thinking among your team?

Don’t EVER shut down honest enthusiasm. As Taylor Swift summed up poetically, “The worst kind of person is someone who makes someone feel bad, dumb, or stupid for being excited about something.” Shutting down enthusiasm is a surefire way to stifle creativity.

I make it a practice to treat every person’s opinion as valuable and make it a point to listen to anyone who takes the initiative to share their ideas, regardless of their position in the company. If you make it safe for every person to share those insights when they naturally arise and show them their thoughts are genuinely valued, then you remove a major barrier to creativity in the workplace: fear. Everyone has unique insights that can contribute to solving problems or shaping strategies.

Who do you think is an outstanding example of a thought leader? What specific qualities impress you about this person?

Songwriters and speechwriters are talented thought leaders because they have a keen ability to connect emotionally with their audience. They know how to blend empathy, creativity, and innovation, and this makes them especially impactful. They possess a unique ability to distill complex ideas into compelling narratives that resonate deeply with people. What impresses me most about such thought leaders is their knack for storytelling. They also can take a concept and make it accessible, catchy, and memorable.

How do you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your field, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your strategic planning?

Staying up-to-date on issues of public opinion is also part of the job of a jury consultant. Given today’s polarized environment, it’s essential to understand how current events and their media portrayals might influence jury dynamics. The jury you assemble is like a team that needs to function smoothly without knowing each other well or studying the case outside the courtroom.

Significant news events can either unite or divide jurors, impacting their ability to work together. While personal politics may not directly influence a case, broader societal issues can affect how jurors perceive each other and make judgments. This needs to be carefully considered when selecting and managing a jury.

Because of this, I also watch different news sources to see how public opinion is shaped and how the same story is framed differently. When a significant event occurs, I avoid pundits for as long as I can so that I have time to digest the information and develop my perspective. All of this work helps me as a thought leader and as the leader of Georgia Trial Consulting.

Some people feel that the term “thought leader” is overused and has lost its impact. What are your thoughts on this?

I haven’t heard this term used frequently until now, so I actually don’t think it’s overused at all! However, I do think there could be a different term that would better articulate the nuances of how that role plays out in society.

It’s not necessarily that a thought leader sets out to gather followers or make the masses think like they do: a thought leader’s job is to open your mind to a new way of thinking and to make it safe for you to reconsider a perspective you developed that is now outdated, or based on surreptitious or false pretenses. Thought leaders throw different ways of thinking into the mix, which encourages folks to think for themselves in general. Perhaps a term like a “reframer,” “illuminator,” “muse,” or “catalyst” might better describe the role of a thought leader.

How do you balance short-term business goals with long-term strategic vision, especially in a rapidly changing market?

Your short-term business goals should naturally fall within your long-term strategic vision. If they don’t, you haven’t found the right long-term goal yet.

You must be able to see your big picture with as much specificity as possible, and you must keep it in mind as you move forward. The fact that the market changes rapidly should not deter you from your original, long-term vision. Altering that for the sake of catering to the current market is like chasing rabbits — it’s a hopeless task.

Stay true to yourself and what you believed in at the start — but only if it is, truly, what you believed in. If you’re not sure, it may be time for the crucial and necessary task of discovering what exactly it is that you want to achieve. When you find that, your long and short-term goals should coincide beautifully.

Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? How has it been relevant in your life?

I love to study all religions, but this quote gives me great comfort and helps me chase my purpose, even when I feel hopeless sometimes: “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” — John 12:27

Many influential figures in business and entertainment follow this column. Is there someone you’d love to have lunch or breakfast with? They might notice if we tag them.

I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus. Their remarkable contributions to philanthropy, especially in advancing children’s health, are truly inspiring.

Arthur Blank’s commitment to positive change through both the Atlanta Falcons and his charitable endeavors, alongside Bernie Marcus’s impactful work in healthcare and community development, showcases a profound dedication to making a difference. I truly admire how they merge entrepreneurial success with heartfelt compassion.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can continue following my work across social media.

My Instagram is: @WhatMadelineSays

My Tiktok is: What_Madeline_Says

My thought leadership and analysis address ways in which politicians and the media use language to try to manipulate the public. I would be honored if you watched and shared your comments on those channels with me.

Thank you so much for your insights. This was very insightful and meaningful.

Atras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.

Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.