Listening First: Partners Mel Orchard and Bryan Ulmer Lead Voir Dire Workshop at the 2026 WTLA Convention

At The Spence Law Firm, we believe that exceptional trial advocacy begins long before opening statements. One of the most critical moments in any jury trial is voir dire, not simply because a jury is selected, but because it is the first opportunity to understand the people who will ultimately decide the case. Before evidence is presented or arguments are made, trust begins to take shape. Recognizing the importance of this skill, on Thursday, June 18, partners Mel Orchard and Bryan Ulmer led an in-depth Voir Dire workshop for fellow attorneys participating in the 2026 Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Convention in Cheyenne. Sharing practical strategies and decades of courtroom experience, Orchard and Ulmer helped participants refine one of the most influential aspects of trial practice. 

Voir dire when translated from modern French means “to see, to say,” yet the term is debated to have its origin in the Anglo-Norman language, where it loosely translates to “speak the truth.” Both translations can aptly describe the process through which attorneys and the court question prospective jurors to identify potential biases, uncover life and lived experiences that may influence decision-making, and ultimately select a jury capable of deciding a case fairly based solely on the evidence presented at trial. While jury selection is often viewed as a procedural step, experienced trial lawyers understand that it is the first and arguably strongest opportunity to establish credibility, begin building rapport with jurors, and develop the foundation for a persuasive trial presentation. Effective voir dire requires careful preparation, thoughtful communication, and genuine curiosity about the people before you. Rather than seeking the “right” answers, effective advocates strive to engage jurors in meaningful conversations that reveal not only what they believe, but why they believe it. 

During the workshop, Orchard and Ulmer focused on the practical skills that distinguish effective jury selection. Allowing participants to volunteer fact patterns from cases currently being brought to trial, Orchard and Ulmer discussed developing case-specific themes that naturally flow into voir dire, crafting questions that encourage candid discussion rather than simple yes-or-no responses and identifying attitudes that may impact jurors’ perspectives. Participants also practiced role reversal, stepping into the perspective of prospective jurors and reminding everyone that impactful voir dire depends as much on listening as speaking. The workshop emphasized creating an environment where jurors feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment or correction. From there, Orchard and Ulmer demonstrated techniques for addressing sensitive topics, building trust, and encouraging honest dialogue while maintaining professionalism and respect for the court. Throughout the exercise participants saw how every decision, from responding to a juror’s answer to something as simple as body language or where an attorney placed their arms, shaped the perceptions of everyone else in the room.

The program stressed that successful voir dire is not about persuading jurors before the evidence is presented, but about fostering authentic dialogue that allows attorneys to better understand the individuals who may ultimately decide their client’s case. Through practical examples, attendees explored the importance of acknowledging difficult facts rather than avoiding them. Instead of treating weaknesses as something to conceal, Orchard and Ulmer demonstrated how honest conversations about those challenges often create credibility. Jurors are far more likely to trust an attorney who is willing to address uncomfortable truths than one who appears to be avoiding them.

The workshop also served as a gathering of attorneys who are already deeply committed to advancing trial advocacy within the legal profession. Many of the participants regularly volunteer as coaches and judges for the Wyoming College of Law voir dire workshop and competition, helping train our state’s next generation of trial lawyers. Their involvement within the university, and their attendance at this workshop reflects a shared dedication to mentoring future advocates while continually refining their own courtroom skills through collaboration and professional development.

Orchard and Ulmers’s workshop reinforced a philosophy that has long defined trial advocacy at The Spence Law Firm: great trial lawyers are not merely skilled speakers, but careful listeners. Seeing jurors as people first, listening before persuading, and building credibility through honesty rather than performance, are core principles to The Spence Law Firm’s approach to trial work. We strive to earn trust by seeking first to understand the people sitting in the jury box, recognizing that every successful trial begins not with an argument, but with a genuine human connection.