New legal tech app offers faster, cheaper focus group feedback

Summary

• New app “Focus” allows attorneys to test cases with mock jurors before trial.
• Platform offers faster and lower-cost alternative to traditional focus groups.
• Attorneys can filter evaluators by geography to mirror jury pools.
• Tool provides data for settlement strategy, mediation and trial prep.

A new mobile phone app is allowing attorneys and others involved in lawsuits to look into what potential jurors might think of their cases before even stepping foot in a courtroom.

The app “Focus” launched by attorney Jill Harper of Harper Evans Hilbrenner & Netemeyer in Columbia, allows attorneys to upload case materials such as videos, summaries and key questions, and receive feedback from a pool of verified evaluators intended to mirror a jury pool.

Harper said the platform was created to address long-standing inefficiencies and costs associated with traditional focus groups, which can take months to coordinate and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“The reason why we created this was because we saw such a need in the profession for it. Prior to its existence, at least our firm, we’ve been using traditional focus groups where it’s a minimum fee of $20,000 — they go up to 50 grand. You have to coordinate with these moderators who … take months to understand your case. All the good parts, the bad parts, everything,” Harper said. “They book hotel conference rooms … and then they record the whole thing. And, you know, they pay people a few hundred bucks a piece to come on a Saturday … and ultimately … it’s of no benefit to your client whatsoever.”

The app instead provides attorneys with faster, lower-cost access to feedback from dozens of participants, with customizable reports that can be used in settlement negotiations, mediation or trial preparation. Attorneys can tailor who reviews a case by geography, including limiting responses to a specific county or expanding to similar venues identified through the platform.

Harper said the tool has already influenced case outcomes, including increasing settlement values and helping attorneys evaluate litigation risk more precisely.

“I had a college softball player who got … a huge scar to her face … and so like, what is that worth? … Right now, we’re all just guessing,” Harper said. “So put it on the platform … we got … people to review that one. And it was very clear … what the value is … I forwarded all of that to the defense attorney … their top offer had been $150,000 … days later, we had a check for $300,000.”

Beyond settlement strategy, Harper said the platform also provides data that can inform jury selection and trial themes by identifying how different demographics respond to a case.

“It gives you everything you need to get the case settled … but the good news is … you have all the data and information for trial purposes,” Harper said. “Now you have that demographic information … and it analyzes it for you … so if it doesn’t ultimately end up in the settlement that you want … now you are ready for trial.”

The platform relies on everyday participants rather than legal professionals, aiming to replicate the perspectives of real jurors. Users must verify their identity and location to ensure credibility and prevent fraudulent responses.

“It’s all just regular people, like would be on a jury … you have to be 21 and older … you have to upload a photo ID, and your county of residence has to match the county you signed up for,” Harper said. “We’re strict on that … I can’t have people from China reviewing whatever … that would make it totally illegitimate.”

Harper said the idea for the platform originated from informal case testing with colleagues and evolved through a multi-year startup development process, ultimately launching in January 2026. The concept first emerged after she informally asked non-lawyers to evaluate a case video, revealing both demand for the feedback and the limitations of existing tools.

From there, Harper and her team developed an early prototype using survey-style tools and social media outreach before attempting to build a full-scale platform. An initial partnership with a development firm stalled after months of work, prompting the team to pivot and ultimately connect with Missouri-based developers and startup mentors. The project gained momentum after winning a statewide Startup Weekend competition in 2025, leading to the finalized product launch the following year.

While initially focused on Missouri, the platform has already attracted evaluators in more than 40 states and is expected to expand nationwide. Harper said the early rollout strategy intentionally prioritized local attorneys to identify and resolve issues before scaling.

She emphasized that the tool is designed to be accessible to attorneys across case types and value ranges, including those where traditional focus groups would be cost-prohibitive.

“I will let any attorney try it for free … I am so convinced that once you try it … the data is invaluable,” Harper said. “It increases the value of their clients … the return on investment is huge.”