Expert Witness Blog

Practical guidance for expert witnesses — testimony, report writing, depositions, fees and building a successful practice.

September 22, 2014

Lawyers as Expert Witnesses

Some of these lawyers supplement their legal careers by also acting as expert witnesses while some have left their legal practice behind and are acting as expert witnesses on a full-time basis.

We have noticed an interesting new trend, i.e. more and more lawyers are acting as expert witnesses. Some of these lawyers supplement their legal careers by also acting as expert witnesses while some have left their legal practice behind and are acting as expert witnesses on a full-time basis. The most common areas for lawyers to act as expert witnesses

September 8, 2014

Expert Witness Deposition – Questioned on Fees

One of the things that comes up over and over again, in expert witness depositions, is the amount that the expert witness has been paid.

My name is Steve Babitsky. I’m president of SEAK. I’m here with my partner, James Mangraviti, and we’re going to talking about expert witness depositions. And specifically we’ll be talking about expert witness fees. One of the things that comes up over and over again, in depositions, is the amount that the expert witness has been paid. Expert witnesses to

September 8, 2014

Cross-Examination of an Expert Witness – Absurd Opinion

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - what happens if you have an absurd opinion and then have to defend that at a deposition or at a trial.

I’m Steve Babitsky, of SEAK, Incorporated, and I’m here today with James Mangraviti, my partner, and we’re going to be talking about what happens if you have an absurd opinion and then have to defend that at a deposition or at a trial. Jim has graciously agreed to participate in this demonstration, so why don’t we show the demonstration, and

September 8, 2014

Cross Examination of an Expert – Frontal Attack

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - As you can see, depending upon the positions that you take as an expert witness you may have to, or you will have to, defend them.

My name is Steve Babitsky, the president of SEAK, and I’m here with my partner Jim Mangraviti and we’re going to be demonstrating a frontal attack on an expert witness. Expert witnessing is not for the faint of heart and those people who become expert witnesses have to be ready to be attacked head on in a frontal assault by

September 8, 2014

Cross-Examination of an Expert Witness – Boilerplate Language

VIDEO - Demonstration of what happens when you have an expert witness report with too much boilerplate language.

My name is Steve Babitsky, president of SEAK Incorporated, and I’m here today with my partner Jim Mangraviti who has graciously agreed to assist us with a demonstration of what happens if you have an expert witness report with too much boilerplate language. Okay, Mr. Mangraviti, is this your 40 page report? Jim Mangraviti: Yes. Steve Babitsky: And this is

September 7, 2014

How to Get Started as An Expert Witness

VIDEO - Expert witnessing can be extremely lucrative. Experts earn between $200-$1000 an hour. A good expert witness can make over a million dollars a year.

My name is Steve Babitsky, I’m the president of SEAK Incorporated, and we’re here today with Attorney James Mangraviti from SEAK and we’re going to be talking about how to get started as an expert witness. So Jim, let’s start off by asking what does an expert witness do? James Mangraviti: Good question. So an expert witness is someone who

September 7, 2014

How to Prepare for an Expert Witness Deposition

VIDEO - For an expert witness, the best possible marketing for an expert, is to excel during their expert witness deposition.

I’m Attorney Jim Mangraviti. I’m here with Attorney Steve Babitsky from SEAK, and we’re going to talk today about preparing for your expert witness deposition. Steve, why is it so important for an expert witness to diligently prepare for his or her deposition? Steve Babitsky: Nowadays 97% of all cases are settled prior to trial. So realistically, the main ways

August 6, 2014

Active Clinical Practice Requirements for Medical Expert Witnesses

Find out which states require medical expert witnesses to be actively practicing in order to serve as an expert witness.

Find out which states require medical expert witnesses to be actively practicing in order to serve as an expert witness. States which require active clinical practice for a physician to testify as an expert witness in medical malpractice cases generally allow physicians to fulfill this requirement through teaching in a licensed medical program. There are also several states which allow

March 19, 2014

Some of the non-verbal messages that expert witnesses send

The jurors tend tol trust their readings of nonverbal behavior clusters or patterns more than a specific single nonverbal cue.

OSHA and safety expert witness Chip Darius explains. Q. What are some of the non-verbal messages expert witnesses send? Non-verbal communication is a complex area of study. We perceive non-verbal messages in how a person is dressed, colors and styles of clothing, physical appearance, posture while walking and sitting, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, rate of speaking, and

March 19, 2014

Why jurors like some expert witnesses and not others

Experts should be calm and comfortable in the courtroom, but poised and interested in the proceedings. Facial expressions and gestures also change a lot, frowns and smiles, head and body positions, in response to the questions being asked and replies being given

Excellent communication skills is crucially important for expert witnesses who wish to excel. OSHA and safety expert witness Chip Darius explains. Q. What factors make an expert witness likeable in the minds of jurors? The expert needs to be more than simply likable. Jurors connect well when the expert is likable, honest, sincere, understandable, natural and relaxed. A natural and