Expert Witnesses
Recruiting Great Experts is Only the Beginning
Whether about patents, toxic torts, personal injuries, or contract disputes, many cases involve highly complex scientific issues. Presenting those issues in a manner that is understandable to a lay jury requires the use of well-prepared scientific experts. Finding the right expert for the job is only the beginning.
Properly working with an expert witness requires careful and time-consuming preparation. Because litigation involves so many issues that simultaneously require immediate attention, many attorneys and firms simply cannot devote the resources necessary to adequately prepare an expert witness. Rather, they will retain a scientific expert, briefly describe the case to them over the telephone and then set them loose to write their reports. This is a recipe for disaster. We provide an economical way to properly prepare expert witnesses without diverting resources needed for other issues in the case.
We have developed an expertise for working with expert witnesses
First, we conduct a thorough review of the pertinent scientific literature. This enables us to identify the best possible experts for the case and to adequately discuss the issues with potential experts during the recruiting process.
Second, we meet with every expert personally. Our experience has demonstrated that, while later discussions may be conducted over the telephone or video conference, an in person, face-to-face meeting with the expert early in the process is essential to the development of strong expert testimony. In this meeting, we introduce the witness to the issues and theories of the case, describe the expert's role in the case strategy, and discuss the expert's views of the scientific issues. Our extensive review of the scientific literature enables us to discuss the expert's opinions at the highest levels and to identify and address weaknesses in those opinions before the expert writes his/her report, thus avoiding potential bombshells at deposition.
Third, we maintain frequent contact with the experts as they write their reports. Many scientists and physicians have never been involved in the legal process. They are often accustomed to a particular style of writing that is not ideal in a legal environment. Frequent interactions with the expert helps to ensure that
they will frame the issues in the manner most compatible with the case strategy.
Finally, when it comes time for deposition and/or trial testimony, we meet with our experts in-person, again. Providing live testimony to an often hostile deposing attorney is a nerve-wracking, even terrifying, prospect for the expert witness. We carefully walk the expert through the process, giving them the confidence to focus on the issues and avoid potential pitfalls.
Whether about patents, toxic torts, personal injuries, or contract disputes, many cases involve highly complex scientific issues. Presenting those issues in a manner that is understandable to a lay jury requires the use of well-prepared scientific experts. Finding the right expert for the job is only the beginning.
Properly working with an expert witness requires careful and time-consuming preparation. Because litigation involves so many issues that simultaneously require immediate attention, many attorneys and firms simply cannot devote the resources necessary to adequately prepare an expert witness. Rather, they will retain a scientific expert, briefly describe the case to them over the telephone and then set them loose to write their reports. This is a recipe for disaster. We provide an economical way to properly prepare expert witnesses without diverting resources needed for other issues in the case.
We have developed an expertise for working with expert witnesses
First, we conduct a thorough review of the pertinent scientific literature. This enables us to identify the best possible experts for the case and to adequately discuss the issues with potential experts during the recruiting process.
Second, we meet with every expert personally. Our experience has demonstrated that, while later discussions may be conducted over the telephone or video conference, an in person, face-to-face meeting with the expert early in the process is essential to the development of strong expert testimony. In this meeting, we introduce the witness to the issues and theories of the case, describe the expert's role in the case strategy, and discuss the expert's views of the scientific issues. Our extensive review of the scientific literature enables us to discuss the expert's opinions at the highest levels and to identify and address weaknesses in those opinions before the expert writes his/her report, thus avoiding potential bombshells at deposition.
Third, we maintain frequent contact with the experts as they write their reports. Many scientists and physicians have never been involved in the legal process. They are often accustomed to a particular style of writing that is not ideal in a legal environment. Frequent interactions with the expert helps to ensure that
they will frame the issues in the manner most compatible with the case strategy.
Finally, when it comes time for deposition and/or trial testimony, we meet with our experts in-person, again. Providing live testimony to an often hostile deposing attorney is a nerve-wracking, even terrifying, prospect for the expert witness. We carefully walk the expert through the process, giving them the confidence to focus on the issues and avoid potential pitfalls.
