| name | verdict-judgment-summary |
| title | Verdict/Judgment Summary |
| description | Produces structured post-trial verdict and judgment analysis memoranda for commercial litigation. Triggers when summarizing a jury verdict, bench trial decision, post-trial motion assessment, or appellate viability review. Covers liability determinations, damages breakdowns, critical rulings, and post-trial strategy. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/verdict-judgment-summary |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | litigation |
| language | en |
| tags | ["analysis","summarization","summary"] |
Verdict/Judgment Summary
Produces an internal strategic memorandum analyzing a completed trial outcome, assessing post-trial options, and charting next steps.
Prerequisites
Gather before starting — flag any missing items:
- Verdict form or written judgment — exact findings, conclusions, awards
- Trial transcripts — key rulings and testimony (full or partial)
- Trial team notes — observation memos, jury reaction notes
- Docket entries — MIL orders, evidentiary rulings, jury instruction disputes
- Comparable verdict research — jurisdiction-specific damage benchmarks
Quick Start
- Extract all findings and awards from the official verdict/judgment
- Map each claim to its outcome with exact verdict-form language
- Tabulate damages by category with evidentiary basis
- Catalog outcome-affecting rulings and preservation status
- Assess post-trial motions and appellate viability
- Compile deadlines and recommendations with cost-benefit analysis
Output Structure
1. Executive Summary (3 paragraphs max)
| Element | Content |
|---|
| Prevailing party | Which party prevailed on which claims |
| Financial outcome | Total award, net result after offsets |
| Bottom line | One-sentence strategic takeaway |
2. Liability Determinations
Per claim tried:
- Outcome (sustained/defeated)
- Exact verdict form or judgment language
- Fault allocation among parties (comparative negligence/multiple defendants)
- Special interrogatory answers revealing jury reasoning
- Claims with liability but no damages — analyze why
3. Damages Breakdown
| Category | Amount | Basis |
|---|
| Economic (wages, medical, property) | $ | |
| Non-economic (pain/suffering, emotional distress, consortium) | $ | |
| Punitive | $ | Malice/fraud/oppression findings; ratio to compensatory |
| Statutory caps or remittitur | $ |
