Clear Eyed Media

03/28/2025

A man wrongly imprisoned in Mexico. A family fighting for his freedom. And a story that helped bring him home.

In Portland, I covered the case of Troy Bachmann for KATU. His brother later told me the coverage was “instrumental." It caught the attention of U.S. senators and led to Troy’s release.

These days, I use that same approach to help attorneys through Clear Eyed Media, crafting legal videos that build a compelling case. Most of my work can’t be shared publicly because it’s used in private mediation, but the goal is always the same: to tell stories that move people to act.

If you're building a case that deserves more than just facts on paper, let's talk.

03/13/2025

Jurors are skeptical. Really skeptical. And a recent Gallup poll shows that only 16% of Americans trust lawyers. So, how do you win them over? The answer might come from an unexpected place. See how journalists’ trust-building tactics can help in the courtroom. My article is the lead story right now on Attorney at Work.

03/12/2025

Excited to share that Attorney at Work has published another piece of mine! This time, I'm tackling a question every trial lawyer should be asking: How do you get jurors to actually believe you?

Trust isn’t automatic. It’s earned. And while lawyers and journalists might not seem like they have much in common, there’s a lot attorneys can learn from how reporters rebuild credibility in a skeptical world.

One of the most effective ways? A technique borrowed from investigative journalism that instantly makes arguments harder to dispute. So much so that even billion-dollar companies have crumbled under its weight.

Check out the full article to see what it is:

There's a credibility crisis. Here's what attorneys can learn from journalists about rebuilding trust.

02/06/2025

Proud to share this five-star Google review! The nearly two-hour documentary I made for Pam on her parents’ antique fire equipment collection was a joy to create. At Clear Eyed Media, it’s all about storytelling, whether it’s helping attorneys achieve results or preserving family legacies.

01/29/2025

Tomorrow, a leader of a major legal organization will use a nearly 20-minute documentary I made to present their case at a mediation hearing.

The attorney and their team, which includes other lawyers in the $50 million lawsuit, had no notes on what I turned in; they just wanted to use it. That was after I gave them a script, which they signed off on with no requests for revision (very rare, but I'll take it). The case is gigantic, involving tens of thousands of pages of discovery documentation, more than 40 hours of deposition videos and audio interview recordings with multiple subjects, several hours of footage, including interviews my crew shot, and more.

I also filed several public records requests and found multiple powerful quotes from contracts and interviews, which I hope will help secure an excellent outcome for the plaintiff.

I'm crossing my fingers and grateful for the opportunity. I love doing this work through my business, Clear Eyed Media.

01/24/2025

Don't fear open-ended questions. After watching countless hours of deposition videos, I hear too many attorneys asking pointed questions too quickly.

Just because you ask the question doesn't mean you'll get the answer you're seeking.

And remember, you're talking to a person.

Start by thanking them for doing this and admitting something real that you're vulnerable about at the moment.

Maybe you're tired, nervous, overwhelmed. Bring it up in a self-deprecating, funny way, if possible, and tell them you're just trying to get an accurate picture of the case.

When you start, your best bet is to focus on the incident or area of expertise and ask, “From your perspective, what happened?”

Then BE QUIET. Let it get awkward. Let them fill the silence even if they say one sentence and stop.

Wait.

In many cases, they will answer most of your questions on their own.

If they don't, you’ve now established yourself as a good listener, and they'll be more likely to open up when you ask follow-up questions.

If they're still not talking much, don't be afraid to poke the bear. Read them a statement that conflicts with their perspective or testimony and let them sound off.

Just read it/show it, and be quiet.

Too many lawyers treat depositions like an intense win/lose situation.

Open up and let the deponent run free. Often, their “side” comments are the most revealing.

Buried in hours of depositions and mountains of discovery are golden moments waiting to be uncovered.

I help attorneys find those nuggets and turn them into compelling, case-winning video stories. Let’s dig in.

01/09/2025

My heart goes out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Having lived there for over 18 years, I'm deeply grateful my family and friends are safe.

I'm also incredibly thankful for the firefighters and brave journalists who work tirelessly to provide critical information. In times like these, journalism proves its value. Reporters and photographers deliver facts that save lives, covering evacuation orders, fire locations, and the context people need to protect themselves and their families.

At a time when journalism is under attack, and many people in the field are facing more layoffs and pay cuts, this is heartening, providing a small silver lining to this terrible event.

This isn't the work of random influencers or social media noise. It’s the work of dedicated local journalists who grind through long shifts, writing multiple stories a day, often for little pay or recognition. They turn complex information into accurate, easy-to-understand stories, add meaningful context, and show how these events impact us all.

As someone who has covered wildfires and other emergencies for nearly two decades, I know how hard and vital this work is. I’m proud to carry that storytelling experience into my current role in the legal field.

To the journalists on the front lines: thank you. Your work matters more than ever.

01/07/2025

If you want to craft undeniable reports as a journalist or present airtight cases in the legal world, you’ve got to channel your inner Debbie Downer.

Behind the scenes, it’s your job to be the killjoy, the skeptic, the one popping every balloon of assumption with the sharp needle of doubt.

Assume nothing is true. Test every hypothesis like it’s a dating profile that sounds too good to be true. "Oh, you say you volunteer every weekend and run marathons for fun? Let’s see the finish line photos and the race roster."

Talk to witnesses, go to the scene, interrogate experts, and dig through every document like your reputation depends on it because it does. File public records requests like you’re collecting baseball cards. Read studies, review footage, and scrutinize police reports until your coffee runs out and your sanity is hanging by a thread.

In the legal world, it’s par for the course to take your work and smash it against the wall of someone else’s skepticism. But in journalism? Not so much, unfortunately, for some reporters, namely the ones who get sued.

That’s why, once you think you’ve got the facts, do the bravest thing imaginable: hand it over to the person who will hate your work the most. Let them tear into it like a dog with a new chew toy. Stand there. Take it. Then, this part’s crucial: shut up and listen.

Stick to what’s undeniable. If a widely-held belief turns out to be wrong or disputed, don’t bury it. Report the dispute, own the messiness, and walk your audience through your process. Transparency builds trust, and trust is your greatest currency.

Before you publish or present, ask yourself this one question: Who’s the last person in the world I’d want to see this? Now go find them. Show it to them. Their criticism might hurt your ego, but it’ll strengthen your work.

This is how you create stories and cases that withstand scrutiny. Lawyers know it. Journalists who adopt it will stand out. Behind the scenes, it might feel like a storm of doubt and criticism, but that’s the cost of truth, and it’s worth it.

It's how you win cases and publish material no one forgets.

Behind every undeniable story or case is the kind of truth that can’t be ignored. Let me help you tell it in a way (with video) that insurance adjusters won’t want to watch but can’t look away from.

01/03/2025

Lawyers, Let’s Talk TikTok Era Storytelling!

When your audience is used to binge-worthy Netflix docs and scroll-stopping TikToks, basic courtroom visuals just won’t cut it.

My recent article for Attorney at Work dives into why legal teams need expert video storytelling to not just tell, but prove their case. From digging into public records to crafting emotional narratives, this isn’t just videography—it’s strategy.

Highlights:

Building a case with receipts (hello, public records!)

Turning daily struggles into powerful day-in-the-life videos

Capturing that “WTF” factor to grab attention from the start

Check it out and discover why great storytelling = bigger, faster settlements.

Joe Douglass | Done well, videos become powerful, persuasive tools that sway juries and adjusters alike.

12/23/2024

I told ChatGPT, “Write me a holiday poem that’s festive, funny, and promotes my business.” After arguing with it about reindeer metaphors and legal puns, here’s what we came up with:

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the firm,
The adjusters were lurking, as is their term.
The lawyers were sweating, their hopes running thin,
“We need something better to make them give in!”
When out in the hallway arose such a clatter,
I burst through the door yelling, “What’s the matter?!”
“Your case needs some sparkle, some hard-hitting facts,
Let me dig in—adjusters can’t argue with that!”
“Body cams? Depositions? OSHA reports?
I’ll track down the goods, no matter the courts.
Public records? I’ll get ‘em! Emails and files?
I’ve got more tricks than adjusters have guile.”
With a camera in hand and a knack for the truth,
I turned bland disputes into slam-dunk proof.
Cue heartfelt footage and a voiceover pro,
Adjusters don’t stand a chance—they’ll fold, you know.
And just as the clock ticked close to the year’s end,
An offer rolled in from our adjuster friends.
“Wait, how much?!” the lawyers exclaimed, eyes wide,
While I packed up my gear and quietly sighed:
“Don’t thank me now, just send cookies and cheer.
Call Clear Eyed Media for wins all next year!”
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good fight,
Let’s settle your cases—no sleighs, just insight.

12/10/2024

Thrilled to share this five-star Google review! The nearly two-hour documentary I made for Pam on her parents’ antique fire equipment collection was a joy to create. At Clear Eyed Media, it’s all about storytelling—whether it’s helping attorneys achieve results or preserving family legacies.

12/05/2024

In 2017, my investigation into health insurance denials for autism treatments led to something rare: accountability.

My reporting uncovered violations that resulted in Oregon fining insurance companies hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most importantly, it helped a Portland family finally achieve justice for their son, ensuring he could access life-changing therapies.

This experience showed me the incredible power of storytelling to make a difference, a value I bring to every project at Clear Eyed Media. Today, I use those same investigative skills to craft legal videos that drive results for attorneys and their clients.

Let me help you turn your case into a compelling narrative. Reach out to learn more!

12/03/2024

Would your legal case make a good news story? It's a question worth asking.

As a reporter, I used to get pitches all the time from lawyers and plaintiffs hoping to gain leverage against defendants or insurance adjusters.

Many of those pitches didn’t hold up.

Often, they lacked the evidence or detail that would make me confident enough to pitch the story to my editor—let alone convince them to greenlight it.

As journalists, especially investigative ones, we don’t just need compelling stories—we need legally solid ones.

If I felt a pitch was weak, not only would it risk my reputation, but it could also expose me (and the newsroom) to legal trouble.

That same critical lens guides my work today as a legal storyteller.

When I look at a case, I dig deep. I collaborate with attorneys and plaintiffs to uncover the kind of undeniable, objective evidence that can’t be ignored.

Whether it’s criminal records from out-of-state courts, OSHA violations, FTC fines, or consumer complaints—these public records have helped build cases that led to substantial settlements.

But evidence alone doesn’t win cases. Pairing that with emotionally resonant, fact-driven video—complete with “before” and “after” visuals and heartfelt testimony—creates a narrative that hits home for adjusters, mediators, or even defendants.

The result? A 60-Minutes-style video that doesn’t just tell a story; it proves a case.

If you’re ready to elevate your legal advocacy with expert storytelling and compelling visuals, let’s talk. Clear Eyed Media specializes in turning good cases into great outcomes.

Reach out today for a free consultation.

11/27/2024

The holidays are here, and that means it’s time for family, friends—and plenty of great photo and video opportunities! As a three-time Emmy-nominated TV producer and reporter, I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years to help you capture moments you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Here are some fun, easy tips:

📽 Play Journalist for a Day:
Interview family members! No hard-hitting questions—just ask Grandma and Grandpa to share their favorite family recipes (while they’re being prepared if possible) or childhood memories. Get the kids talking about what they want for the holidays or their funniest school stories. Ask open-ended, fun questions and just listen. These sweet (and often hilarious) clips will be cherished for years to come.

💡 Light It Right:
Great lighting makes all the difference. Avoid shooting with light sources like windows behind your subject—keep the light in front of them for the best results.

🎙 Clear the Noise:
If you’re recording an interview, find a quiet spot so you can hear your loved one’s voice clearly. And don’t forget to keep your phone close to their face if you don’t have a separate microphone, so you don’t miss a thing! You don’t have to shoot up their nostrils but make sure you’re far enough to frame their face with a bit of space above and below their head but not much more.

📸 Candid is King:
Catch those in-between moments—kids playing in the yard, Grandpa or Grandma stirring the gravy, or the epic kitchen chaos before dinner. These unscripted shots are often the most meaningful.

Remember, these aren’t just photos and videos—they’re time capsules. So grab your phone, have some fun, and start making memories that will last for generations.

11/25/2024

Secure stronger legal outcomes with my 3x Emmy-nominated expertise! I craft settlement documentaries and day-in-the-life videos for litigation attorneys, plus mitigation videos for criminal defense lawyers and law firms.

11/23/2024

Using Videos to Strengthen Criminal Defense

Mitigation videos are a powerful way to humanize defendants and help courts see the story beyond the charges. They’ve been successfully used in sentencing, bail hearings, and plea deals, turning written arguments into a persuasive, visual narrative.

But what’s the most important element of a successful mitigation video? Hint: It’s not just about the production quality.

As a 3x Emmy-nominated journalist, I specialize in creating these videos with the storytelling precision they need to make an impact.

In criminal defense, the stakes are high, and every detail matters. While facts and evidence are critical, the ability to tell a compelling story often makes the biggest impact. That’s where mitigation videos come in.These documentary-style videos provide judges and prosecutors with a deeper under...

11/22/2024

Interview Tips Lawyers Can Steal from Journalism

After 16+ years as a 3x Emmy-nominated journalist, I’ve learned that interviewing isn’t just about asking questions. It’s about listening, empathy, and uncovering the unexpected.

Lawyers, this could transform your depositions.👇

Whether you're a print, digital, or broadcast journalist or an attorney conducting an initial consultation, a deposition, or a witness interview, you need to know how to talk with people and get what you need out of the discussion.My 16+ years as an investigative TV news reporter and producer in pla...

11/21/2024

Which would you rather watch: an emotional, fact-driven Netflix documentary that grabs you from the first second... or a lawyer in a conference room walking you through a PowerPoint presentation?

(No offense to my lawyer friends—but I think we all know the answer!)

That’s why I created Clear Eyed Media. As a former screenwriter and three-time Emmy-nominated investigative journalist with nearly 20 years of top-market storytelling experience, I help attorneys turn their cases into visually compelling, emotionally resonant narratives. My settlement documentaries and demand videos combine professional videography with the investigative depth that leads to results, turning facts into stories that connect.

If you're tired of PowerPoint and ready to capture attention (and secure better outcomes), let’s talk. The first consultation is free, and I promise no slides.