Z-AXIS PROVIDES TRIAL AND PRESENTATION STRATEGY FOR ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL CASES IN HISTORY – THE UNITED STATES’ CASE AGAINST THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER, CO, Z-Axis, one of the top legal presentation strategy firms (www.zaxis.com), is proud to announce that it recently worked with the Department of Justice on behalf of the United States of America, in its precedent setting case against the U.S. tobacco industry. Z-Axis’ CEO, Al Treibitz served as lead presentation strategy consultant on the case, as his firm provided presentation strategy and visual demonstratives in what was truly an interesting case. “The nature of the case itself was quite unusual,” shared Treibitz. “Accusing major, long-standing United States and foreign companies of racketeering is unprecedented.”

The United States filed the case in 1999, United States of America vs. Phillip Morris et al, accusing the Defendants of 50 years of conspiring and committing fraud under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ("RICO") section of the United States Code. The trial ran from September 2004 until June 2005, including 115 days of trial. The verdict is still outstanding and may not come in until next year.

Another unusual aspect of the case, explains Treibitz, was a dramatic revision of the DOJ’s remedy request at closing arguments. During the trial, the United States put on evidence that the remedy they intended to seek was $130 billion in smoking cessation and other programs and a 25-year monitoring of the industry by the court. At closing arguments, they completely revised their request to $10 billion and 5-years. This was unexpected and surprising, and there’s been speculation in the press that political interference occurred. Two congressmen have requested an investigation of the circumstances and the Department of Justice has begun the investigation.

Treibitz concluded that “The United States team did an excellent job and presented a strong and compelling case,” but he could not speculate on the outcome.

Why Z-Axis’ was hired
Z-Axis was hired because the firm’s expertise in tobacco litigation is unparalleled. Not only had Z-Axis worked with the Justice Department for 20 years on many cases, the firm has also been involved in many of the state cases against the tobacco industry. It was however different This case was different, however, because the state cases were about recovering monies that the states had paid out in medical claims. This federal case was about conspiracy to commit fraud on the American public for financial gain.

Z-Axis’ role in the case
Z-Axis provided strategic consulting services to develop recommendations for presentation materials for all major expert witnesses, and produced extensive and complex presentations for the opening statements, three interim summations and closing arguments. Working with twenty experts, Z-Axis developed demonstrative evidence that enabled the DOJ to present their testimony. Visual materials created included: animations, interactive animations, interactive timelines, large-scale exhibit boards, small-scale printed exhibits, electronic graphics and illustrations. The biggest challenge of the case for Z-Axis was managing the massive volume and variety of graphic needs to accommodate all of the experts and a number of different attorneys.

Full list of parties in the case:
United States of America, Plaintiff. vs. Philip Morris, Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Lorillard Tobacco Company, The Liggett Group, Inc., American Tobacco Company, Philip Morris Companies, Inc., British American Tobacco, P.L.C., British American Tobacco (Investments) Ltd., The Council for Tobacco Research—U.S.A., Inc., and The Tobacco Institute, Inc., Defendants.

For more information on the case and services provided by Z-Axis, visit www.zaxis.com or call 303-713-0200.


About Z-Axis:

Z-Axis integrates research, strategic planning, graphic production, and technology to create convincing, winning litigation presentations. For more than twenty years, Z-Axis has proven itself to be an industry pioneer and leader in courtroom technology, as well as an innovator in courtroom animation. Combining a veteran's eye for strategy with the latest technological advancements, the Z-Axis team of professionals has a reputation for creating visual communications tools that are second to none, as evidenced in its patented VuPoint™ system.

Z-Axis services and supports its national and international clients from its Denver, Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, California and London offices. For more information on the Z-Axis team, its capabilities and its clients, visit the website at www.zaxis.com or call 303-713-0200.

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