Cliff Atkinson

Cliff Atkinson: Architect of Light | Visual Strategist for High-Stakes Persuasive Storytelling

I help top trial lawyers craft persuasive opening statements that jurors don't just understand—they feel.

As a visual strategist and story architect, I design high-stakes courtroom presentations that turn complex facts into compelling, emotionally resonant narratives.

Over the past 20 years, my work has supported many billions in verdicts and been trusted by attorneys across 120+ legal cases, from headline-grabbing national trials to international tribunals.

My approach blends the clarity of journalism, the structure of storytelling, and the power of projected image. I'm the author of five bestselling books on communication and visual storytelling, including Beyond Bullet Points, which has been translated into a dozen languages and has been a major influence in boardrooms, courtrooms, and classrooms around the world.

Before I was a consultant, I served as a U.S. Air Force officer, studied English and journalism at Baylor, earned an MBA in London, and spent years traveling the world as a nomad.

If you're preparing for trial and want your story to not just inform but move a jury—let's talk.