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The Intersection: Where the Court of Public Opinion and the Court of Law Collide
PR Strategy in Litigation with Matthew Schwartz, Chairman of Boies Schiller
Season 1, Ep. 1
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Long after a verdict is reached, the court of public opinion continues its trial. In today’s digital world, media coverage of legal cases—especially high-profile ones—can define a person’s reputation forever. PR strategy is essential. But, how can lawyers, PR strategists, and litigation experts fight back against damaging narratives?
This week on The Intersection, Matthew Schwartz, Chairman of Boies Schiller, joins Mike Sitrick and Sallie Hofmeister to discuss PR strategy in litigation, the role of media influence on legal outcomes, and how crisis management in law is just as critical as legal arguments in the courtroom.
“Even if someone is tried and acquitted, and the jury finds them to be not guilty, the stories of their arrest and charges, sometimes even the press release from the government, lives on the internet forever. And the fact of those allegations living on can be incredibly damaging. Every future employer or counterparty…is going to dig that up. And so, if the other side of the story is not at least presented to contextualize the allegations, then it puts a client at a real disadvantage.”
Named a “buttoned-up assassin in the courtroom” by Forbes, Matt spent a decade as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, where he worked on high-profile cases—including the government’s investigation of Bernie Madoff. Now, as Chairman at Boies Schiller, managing partner and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, he represents major clients such as Red Granite Pictures and DraftKings, navigating complex litigation and the media challenges that come with it.
Tune in as Matt, Mike, and Sallie discuss:
- The impact of media coverage on jury selection
- How crisis communication strategies can protect clients’ reputations
- The challenges facing law firms in today’s litigation and PR landscape
- Differences in press communication between the private sector and the government
This episode explores: PR strategy, crisis management, legal media strategies, and the intersection of public opinion and legal cases.
About Sitrick and Company
Sitrick and Company is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm founded by Michael Sitrick specializing in corporate, financial, and crisis communications. Known for its expertise in high-stakes situations, the firm has handled reputation management, litigation support, and media strategy for high-profile clients. It operates offices in New York City and Washington, DC, and is recognized as a leader in strategic communications and crisis management.
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