Expert witnesses and attorneys understand that often how the expert himself may be just as important as what they have to say.
Jury consultant Edward Schwartz, PhD explains.
Q. Should expert witnesses try to persuade the jury and if so, what techniques are effective?
It is not the expert’s job to persuade anyone of anything. Too many experts try to be advocates. When I conduct witness preparation, I focus on helping the attorney fashion an examination strategy that lets the expert be naturally persuasive just by answering questions truthfully, accurately and simply. Testifying should be the easiest part of an expert’s job.
Dr. Schwartz will be speaking at the SEAK National Expert Witness Conference to be held on May 3-4, 2014 in Orlando, FL.
Effective Presentation of Expert Witness Testimony
Edward P. Schwartz Ph.D.
Dr. Schwartz will explain and demonstrate how expert witnesses using clarity, coherence, comprehension, and credibility can be particularly effective and persuasive. He will discuss why some experts are liked, respected, and effective and why some are not. Dr. Schwartz will offer practical suggestions on how experts of all disciplines can improve their testimony and effectiveness.
Edward P. Schwartz Ph.D. is a jury consultant for TrialGraphix, a national jury consulting firm, in its New York office. He has conducted jury behavior research, aided with witness preparation, and consulted in dozens of cases. He has taught at Harvard, Yale, and Boston University and is a member of the American Society of Trial Consultants. Dr. Schwartz holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business as well as an MSL degree from Yale Law School. He also holds a BA in economics from Yale University.