Magna Legal Services goes where no legal company has gone before. Instead of just focusing on juries or some other specific part of the litigation process, Magna handles everything from discovery to trial.

The Start of Something Great

Peter Hecht, Bob Ackerman, Jon Ackerman and Mark Calzaretta identified a hole in the legal services market. No litigation support companies offered true end-to-end legal services. Those that tried, did so by focusing in one area and contracting out others — sacrificing control and quality along the way. Magna integrates everything from start to finish.

The Magna Difference

To this day, no other company matches Magna’s range of services. Magna is the only company with organic roots providing services in both discovery, pre-trial and trial. The company’s JuryConfirm and patent-pending JuryEvaluator software have completely disrupted how attorneys pick juries and tailor their cases to them. The reason Magna’s software has been so successful is because Magna developed it backwards from other companies. Instead of building a product and trying to find clients, Magna found what clients needed and built software to fit those needs.

However, Magna is much more than technology. Magna’s jury consultants have decades of bench strength, have seen what works and what doesn’t, and are educated in psychological profiles. 

Our Philosophy

When their clients talk, Magna listens — and that’s their strong recipe for success. Magna is always looking for new ways to innovate, whether it’s improving tools like JuryConfirm and JuryEvaluator, or developing new products. Magna also continues to evolve their basic services, allowing them to always provide the most advanced, cutting-edge trial graphics.

One of the biggest sources of inspiration for Magna is the five-question survey every deposition client gets when they receive their transcript. The survey is designed to identify signs of unhappiness or dissatisfaction even when clients aren’t open about it. When a potential problem is identified, Magna proactively reaches out and works with the client to get things back on track.

Every action Magna employees take is driven by customer satisfaction. The company is sales-based, but the sales depend on relationships and repeat business. Relationship managers have strong incentives to keep their customers happy.

The Future of Legal

Trials will never lose the feel of Columbo and Matlock. It always has been and always will be about the story. The only difference will be in how the story is told. You can already see how new technology is used on modern shows like Law & Order, Bull and CSI. While these shows often stretch technology beyond current reality, that technology may very well be both reality and routine in the near future. Virtual reality and artificial intelligence are also ready to break out both to enhance trial presentations and to help cases settle sooner and clear docket backlogs.

Attorneys must adapt to this new technology, not just because judges and jurors will expect to see it, but because of the changing demands of the business. Better predictive technology directly aligns with the constant pressure to settle cases sooner and for less. Lawyers will also need the efficiency that comes with technology to free up time to continue providing the highest level of attention to their cases.

Mark Your Calendar

Magna hosts three major events each year in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Miami. They’re a combination of education, networking, and entertainment — what they like to call, “Edutainment” seminars.  Attorneys and claims professionals can receive CLE or CE credits while having a great time. What’s truly unique is the opportunity to meet new people by way of their Magna rep. It’s not always easy to meet people at events, so having someone there looking out for you makes a world of difference. We also have opportunities to become a sponsor, moderator, or panelist. If you aren’t able to attend, you can always call them or speak to one of their representatives to bring a mini Magna CLE/CE to your local office. 

Ready to get started with Magna Legal Services? Give them a call at (866) 624-6221 or schedule a deposition directly.

Social media continues to play an important role in trials as precedent-allowing social history as direct and indirect evidence grows. This not only includes public accounts, but also those whose owners had locked as private. A desire to protect these private accounts has led to sanctions against clients for the destruction of or failing to preserve evidence. Attorneys have also faced sanctions for telling clients to wipe accounts or for not instructing them to preserve their accounts. To avoid issues, attorneys must be aware of potential privacy concerns as well as the correct way to approach them.

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During the discovery process, there are certain things to be gained from an in-person deposition ⎼ like an account of body language and the ability to adjust your strategy in real-time. Unfortunately, busy schedules and travel distances don’t always allow that. You can send another attorney, but they’re still bringing you back secondhand information and may not handle surprises exactly as you would have. Interactive internet deposition services offer you a solution that gives you everything you need without the cost.

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Court reporting is an essential aspect of the litigation process. From depositions to closing arguments, shorthand reporters ensure that a detailed record of all proceedings is maintained for the record. Even the most skilled experts in this field, however, should continuously practice their skills to keep up with the fast-paced environment of courtrooms and depositions. Here are a few tips on how you can constantly improve:

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This past November, legal professionals across the country converged in Atlantic City for the annual Chopped for CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) competition. The event featured a micro panel workshop and mock trial that pitted four respected attorneys against each other. With $12,000 worth of donations to CHOP on the line, the event promised and delivered an exciting and unexpected two days.

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If you are not billing consistently, you will not make enough money—it is that simple. If you are a new attorney, you probably just don’t have a mature referral network, and even if you have been practicing for years, you know that over time, business fades, and there is a continual need to replenish your client base.

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PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CIVC Partners, L.P. (“CIVC”), a Chicago-based middle market private equity firm focused on investments in the business services and financial services industries, is pleased to announce the firm’s investment in Magna Legal Services (“Magna” or the “Company”), in partnership with the management team.

Magna provides litigation support services to over 2,000 law firms and corporations across the United States.  The Company supports its clients through each phase of the litigation process including court reporting, jury evaluation and consulting, translation, video, graphic design, and record retrieval services.  Magna was founded in 2007, and over the last 11 years has established itself as one of the leading and fastest growing providers of litigation support services in the industry.  For additional information on Magna, visit www.magnals.com.    

Magna’s entire senior management team will remain in place following the investment and will maintain a significant ownership position in the Company.  The partnership will support Magna’s continued growth, both organically and through acquisitions.

The Company’s President, Bob Ackerman, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a CIVC team that enthusiastically shares our vision for Magna.  CIVC has been an active investor for nearly 30 years and has extensive experience partnering with founder-led companies.  We expect CIVC to be a value-added partner going forward as we execute on our growth strategy.” 

Scott Schwartz, a partner at CIVC, commented that, “Magna is one of the leading companies of scale in a highly attractive industry defined by recurring revenue, limited cyclicality, and a fragmented base of smaller competitors.  We are excited to partner with Bob Ackerman, Mark Calzaretta, Peter Hecht and Jon Ackerman to support the company in accelerating organic growth and pursuing strategic acquisitions.”  Doug Potters, a principal at CIVC, added, “Magna is a tremendous investment opportunity for CIVC and a strong fit with our experience investing in growing business services companies that operate in highly fragmented industries benefiting from strong outsourcing trends.”

The partnership with Magna builds on CIVC’s investment experience in the outsourced business services industry.  Other representative investments within outsourced business services include KPA (provider of compliance services), Yellowstone Landscape (provider of commercial landscape services), Magnate Worldwide (provider of asset-light logistics services), and GPRS (provider of private utility locating services).

About CIVC Partners, L.P.

CIVC Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm investing in high growth middle market companies in the business services and financial services sectors.  Since 1989, the team has invested $1.6 billion in 62 platform companies and currently invests from CIVC Partners Fund V.  More information on CIVC Partners and its portfolio companies can be found at www.civc.com.

If you have an opportunity that may be an acquisition candidate for Magna, please contact Scott Schwartz ([email protected]) or Doug Potters ([email protected]).

CIVC Press Contact

Patty Walker
CIVC Partners 
(312) 873-7300
[email protected]