JusVox Interviews: John Francis Leo - Trial Graphics Expert

John Francis Leo, Trial Graphics Expert | Windsor, CA

Tell us a little about your company or service.

Established in 1998, Maraizon International is a dedicated visual advocacy studio based in Sonoma County, California.

We create every kind of trial graphic, such as timelines, slide decks, maps, document extracts (highlights & blows), medical illustration and animation.

Our specialty is animated videos for personal injury trials that communicate:

the sequence of events
who’s at fault
the mechanism of injury
the scope of damages.

These videos are highly effective in clarifying the testimony of expert witnesses and convincing juries.

What cities do you service?

Anywhere in the US.

How did you get into this field?

I began my career as an architect, but I always had a passion graphic arts as a means of communication.

An early adopter of 3D computer graphics, I started this business by providing legally defensible visual impact simulations for new construction projects. Over the years we’ve provided service for real estate developers, planners, energy producers and the US military.

In 2010 we were approached to develop graphics for Oracle vs Google, a landmark patent infringement case. Since then, we’ve created trial exhibits for many high value cases ranging from anti-trust to real estate title fraud, medical malpractice, and even water rights.

In 2015 we were asked to animate the causal factors leading to a severe traumatic brain injury at a construction site. On the day the trial started, right after the jury was shown our video, the defense agreed to settle.

Since then, we’ve created videos for hundreds of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Almost every one has settled for policy limits or higher.

Do you wish others to join this industry? Do you want to encourage the next generation to get into this field?

I do. Trial graphics, and especially animation, have the power to completely transform outcomes for victims.

Jurors often lack the specialized knowledge required to understand expert testimony or internalize complex information.

People grasp the case far better when it’s communicated with imagery as well as words. A well-constructed visual strategy helps clarify the facts and convince the jury.

Who are you outside of work? What do you enjoy?

I am a father of two wonderful, now grown, children, husband and partner to my wife.

I enjoy exercise, healthy living, travel, reading and learning.

When you’re not working, what matters most to you? What keeps you grounded outside the business?

Being decent, honest and reliable person is what matters most to me.

I am a Buddhist, and I believe that every choice, word and action creates a cause. Every cause has effects. I take care what causes I create.

I seek to treat myself, all people, and the environment as best I can.

I value courage, civility, kindness and compassion.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Viet-Thai in Santa Rosa, CA.

Coffee, tea or energy drink?

I am Swedish by birth, so of course I love coffee!

What do you think has been the biggest factor in your company’s success?

100% focus on client outcome and customer satisfaction. We never miss a deadline. We never deliver less than we promise and usually deliver more.

What is something you or your company does differently that you think has made a real difference?

We have real compassion for injury victims. We are never cynical, careless or judgmental about our clients.

What’s something you know about your career or running a business that you wish you knew when you started?

Young people training for a profession, be it architecture or law, get little or any education in business skills.

What do you think separates a really great company or profession from an average one?

Prioritizing the needs and well-being of customers, colleagues and staff.

Success is always a team effort. Value every member of the team.

What’s a ‘small’ detail in your work that actually matters, that nobody outside the industry realizes is important?

Trial graphics and animation requires extreme attention to detail. It’s technically complex work and there are pitfalls around every corner.

Trial teams should engage graphics professionals early in the process.

For the graphics professional, the most important ‘small detail’ is knowing the right questions to ask. Without that, crucial information may be left out of our work product.

What’s the best marketing idea you’ve ever tried?

In my experience, no single marketing idea works on its own. Being consistently active in professional organizations, social events and visible to the media helps build awareness. Maintaining consistent customer satisfaction helps generate referrals – the most important factor in expanding business.

What’s a totally random skill that makes you good at your job?

I absolutely love jigsaw puzzles! Solving them trains attention to detail and pattern recognition.

What are the biggest challenges facing your industry right now?

Lack of awareness. Trial graphics gets little attention in the media, in law school or in continuing legal education.

This toolset has the potential to transform case outcomes, yet most trial lawyers know little or nothing about it.

My challenge is to educate trial lawyers in the effective use of trial graphics.

AI is changing just about everything. Are you excited about AI, worried about it, or somewhere in between?

Somewhere in between. AI can be useful and time saving, if used wisely and with discretion. However, it can never replace a skilled professional in any field.

AI has no judgment, cannot distinguish truth from falsehood, and AI output often creates more problems than it solves.

There are new laws, regulations, technologies, and changes being introduced that could affect how people in your industry work. What changes are you watching most closely, and are there any that concern you?

The laws and precedents of highest interest are those regulating the use of demonstrative evidence in court.

What do you think your job and/or industry is going to look like five or ten years from now?

I anticipate that using trial graphics and animation will become increasingly standard in high value cases.

Where do you think your profession is headed? Do you think technology and AI will replace parts of the profession, or will they ultimately make professionals more valuable?

The pursuit of justice is a human endeavor. Technology can automate some tasks but never replace skilled human professionals in any part of the justice system.

What do you think makes someone great at what they do? And what do you wish more people understood about your profession?

A passion for the work and the relentless desire to learn and improve.

I wish more people understood that lazy, half-hearted efforts never result in great outcomes.

What's one mistake you see people early in their careers making that they could easily avoid?

In my part-time university teaching, the biggest mistake students make is not fully understanding the brief or question before responding.

In trial graphics, it’s not fully understanding your client’s case before creating visuals.

What's your secret to building great relationships with clients and keeping them coming back?

Under-promise and over-deliver. Never the opposite.

What's the part of your job that you genuinely enjoy the most?

Knowing the reaction of an injury victim and their family when they realize the effort, care and concern that’s been invested to help them secure justice.

What's the biggest goal you have for your company or career over the next few years?

To grow the business and help more attorneys and victims secure victory. To help institute workflows and training methods that increase adoption and effective use of trial graphics.

If you could go back to the beginning of your career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would you tell yourself?

There is no substitute for experience, and everyone is a beginner at the beginning. Raw talent counts, but effort and persistence count a whole lot more.

With good mentorship and a willingness to learn, beginners become professionals and professionals become experts.

What’s something about your industry that you believe strongly about that you think most people would disagree with?

I can’t speak for most people. I believe many people fear the legal process and some distrust lawyers.

Trial law is an adversarial process and there is a lot at stake. This can bring out the worst in some practitioners and the best in others.

What’s a moment on the job that reminded you why the work actually matters?

When a case settles and the victim is awarded the maximum possible.

In serious injury and wrongful death cases, no amount of money will ever restore what the victim has lost. A large verdict or settlement helps provide for the care and needs moving forward. That makes my efforts feel worthwhile.

Who was the most memorable person you’ve ever worked with or for, and why?

Steven J. Brady, Trial Lawyer. I’ve created many trial presentations for Steve. He is one of the smartest, most insightful lawyers I’ve ever met and worked with.

What’s the proudest ‘nobody will ever know I did this, but I did’ moment of your career?

‘Work, work, work. Animation is nothing but work. But if you love the work, it’s no hardship.’ It’s the first thing I tell a student of aspiring animator.

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