Forensic Accounting Firms Face Pyramid Crisis

Forensic accounting firms across the country are struggling with a new self-created pyramid crisis.  These large and middle sized firms have dozens, hundreds or even thousands of CPA’s, CFE’s CIRA’s working on forensic issues. What they do not have is experienced forensic expert witnesses who can testify at depositions, hearings and trials. The pyramid consists of a few, usually less

The 5 Biggest Reasons Expert Witnesses Don’t Get Paid

The 5 Biggest Reasons Expert Witnesses Don’t Get Paid Steven Babitsky, Esq. As a consultant to expert witnesses, I receive calls about assistance in deposition and trial preparation, report writing, Daubert issues, etc. However, by far the most frequent issue expert witnesses call about is their failure to be paid promptly and in full by retaining counsel. Here are the

Oncologist Expert Witness: Need to Rule Out Alternative Causes

An expert witness testifying on causation should directly deal with the issue of alternative causes. The US Court of Appeals (7th Circuit) in Schultz v. Akzo Nobel Paints, LLC, 721 F. 3d 426 dealt with a painter who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and later died. The lower court granted a motion for summary judgment for the defense striking the

Dual Capacity Expert Witness

When a witness testifies as to both facts and expert opinions, the court will treat him as a dual capacity expert. The court, in US v. Tucker, 714 F. 3d 1006 – Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit 2013 dealt with an appeal of a drug conviction. The court upheld the conviction finding that a properly structured direct examination can assist

How much privacy do expert witnesses have when testifying at trial?

The US Court of Appeals in US v. Ignasiak, 667 F. 3d 1217 – Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit 2012 reversed the conviction of a physician for health care fraud (dispensing controlled substances.) The court found that the government improperly withheld crucial information about a medical expert who “regularly” testified for the government. The court stated: To briefly provide background,

Expert Witness Deposition Fees

Expert witnesses testifying at deposition are entitled to fees for: Deposition preparation Travel to and from the deposition Time spent reviewing the deposition transcript   The US Court of Appeals in Halasa v. ITT Educational Services, Inc., 690 F. 3d 844 – Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit 2012 upheld the award of $2,955 to the expert who testified at deposition.

Expert Witness: 3-1 Ratio Deposition Preparation Rule

In the absence of time sheets documenting the actual time spent, some courts have adopted a rule of thumb. The court, in EL CAMINO RESOURCES, LTD. v. Huntington National Bank, Dist. Court, WD Michigan 2012 explained:

How much time are expert witnesses testifying at deposition permitted to charge for preparation time? In the absence of time sheets documenting the actual time spent, some courts have adopted a rule of thumb (i.e. 3 hours preparation for each hour expert testifies.) The court, in EL CAMINO RESOURCES, LTD. v. Huntington National Bank, Dist. Court, WD Michigan 2012 explained:

How Attorneys Can Improve How Their Expert Witness Appears on Videotaped Depositions

Videotaped depositions of expert witnesses are being used with increased frequency. During impeachment, clips from a videotaped deposition can make a dramatic impression on the jury or fact finder. Preparing an expert for videotaped deposition means you will have to concern yourself with the additional issues of the expert’s: • General appearance, • Distracting or unpleasant mannerisms, • The pace

Expert Witnesses Are At Risk During Depositions: 5 Things To Watch Out For

Expert witnesses have more at risk during their depositions than the lawyers who retain them. Here are 5 things expert witnesses need to be aware of before they are deposed.

Expert witnesses of all disciplines actually have more at risk during their depositions than the lawyers who retain them. While trial lawyers may have dozens or even hundreds of cases they are working on, the experts they retain whether they be medical experts, patent experts, psychologists etc. only have one reputation at risk each time they are deposed. Here are

How Attorneys Can Explain the Strategies and Goals of Opposing Counsel to Your Expert Witness

Opposing counsel can be expected to prepare diligently for an expert’s deposition. To excel, your expert must prepare as hard or harder. These include...

Opposing counsel generally can have one or more overall objectives for deposing an expert witness. Counsel may want to set up the expert for a Daubert challenge or use his answers for another pre-trial motion. Opposing counsel can be expected to prepare very diligently for an expert’s deposition. To excel, your expert must prepare as hard or harder. Opposing counsel’s