About Us
Fulcrum Legal Graphics was founded by Kevin Hout and Tim Merrill-Palethorpe in 1997, after having spent a decade at what is now FTI Consulting. CJ Hickey joined Fulcrum a year later, and is now Senior Vice President. Kevin, Tim and CJ were “there at the beginning” of high-tech demonstrative evidence. Kevin’s technical background (B.S. and M.S. degrees in engineering), Tim’s background in storytelling (M.F.A. Creative Writing), and CJ’s (B.F.A. in Computer Graphics) extensive professional background in illustration, graphics, animation, and video production combined to provide our clients with the very best creative thinking in the legal graphics field.
With Tim now retired, Kevin and CJ continue to support clients in major actions all over the country. They are joined in leading roles by Michael Lake and Wes Wozniak, who have each been an integral part of the firm for over 15 years. Michael (B.S. in Graphic Communications) brings a background in IT, graphics design and photography. Wes (B.S. in Mathematics and J.D.) brings a legal background and vast experience in demonstrative production. Both Michael and Wes specialize in intellectual property and technology matters.
Fulcrum maintains a team of over 25 professionals: graphic designers, illustrators, animators, and trial technicians with backgrounds in engineering, technology, art, and storytelling. Our team’s unique set of skills and legal graphics experience allow us to provide you with the best tools to effectively communicate your story to the jury.
Why work with us?
At Fulcrum, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality work product available and excellent customer service. We get almost 100% of our work from referrals and repeat customers. Results sell our service.
“The consensus was that we blew them away with our expert’s testimony and at closing. And a big part of that was our superior graphics. We made and reinforced points that the verdict shows they clearly got.”
Darin Snyder
Partner, O’Melveny
“Fulcrum Legal Graphics is great. Know the owners and they do a terrific job.”
G. Hopkins “Hop” Guy III
Partner, Baker Botts LLP
“In every case, the Fulcrum producers and trial techs were indispensable members of the team. They always have great ideas.”
John P. Bovich
Partner, Reed Smith LLP
“Fulcrum has created graphics for me in four federal jury trials over the last four years. In each of my trials, I have asked after close of evidence for new closing graphics, and Fulcrum has delivered them overnight. Highly recommended.”
Rob Bunzel
Principal, Bartko Zankel Bunzel
“The animations and graphics for opening were fantastic. It set the paradigm for the entire case.”
Robert T. Haslam
Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
“We won. No rent abatement, no material breach, no schedule delay…. What did they expect with impossibly great graphics for the defense? Thank you for your incomparable help.”
Shand S. Stephens
Partner, DLA Piper
“Our graphics were outstanding. Even opposing counsel complimented us on them. Thanks again for your incredible service on this case.”
Wesley E. Overson
Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton
How can we help you?
Whether for an expert report, brief, hearing, tutorial, arbitration, or trial, Fulcrum is ready to support you. If you just need to make your presentation shine – no problem. Need it animated? Check. Need some suggestions for how to better present the evidence? We’ve got you covered.