Finding and Researching Expert Witnesses

If you are a litigator looking to sharpen your expert witness research skills, this presentation is for you! Join Jim Robinson, President of JurisPro Expert Witness Directory, as he leads Justia Connect members in an exploration of best practices and techniques for the early stages of using expert witnesses in your cases. Topics covered will include evaluating the matter to determine which types of experts may further your litigation strategy, using various tools (including databases not indexed by search engines) to discover relevant experts for your case, engaging in further expert research to evaluate credentials, and obtaining the deposition transcript of your opponent's expert.

Topics covered include:

Expert Witnesses Law Practice

Agenda:

Why Researching Experts Is Important

Why researching expert witnesses is important
What can go wrong if you do not research your expert witness

Research the Subject Matter

Researching the subject matter of the case to know how to evaluate an expert witness
How to access and use databases not available through search engines

Research Potential Experts

Finding information about potential experts, including their professional background, their testimonial history, their social media, and more
Evaluating what you find in things like news articles, case law, jury verdicts, disciplinary history, and internet messages
Deciding whether a particular expert is a good fit for your case

Questions & Answers

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: January 18, 2023 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:04 Introduction

Jim Robinson, the speaker, is the founder of Juris Pro Incorporated. Jim discusses his experience with expert witnesses and his contributions to various publications on the subject. He emphasizes the importance of researching expert witnesses and introduces the Expert Witness White Paper as a valuable resource. Jim encourages attendees to explore the comprehensive information available in the white paper and offers assistance with any questions.

04:59 Understanding Expert Witnesses

Jim elaborates on the qualifications and roles of expert witnesses, emphasizing their importance in legal proceedings. He illustrates the diverse fields from which expert witnesses can emerge, citing examples from recent high-profile cases. The significance of expert witness testimony is highlighted through cases involving Young Thug, Kari Lake, and the Ericsson-Apple dispute. Jim discusses the impact of expert witness testimony on the outcomes of these cases, noting the financial implications and legal challenges. He stresses the importance of understanding the subject matter and conducting thorough investigations when selecting expert witnesses. Jim recommends utilizing public libraries and online resources to access valuable information and associations related to expert witnesses.

16:57 Researching Expert Witnesses

Jim discusses the importance of utilizing resources like Associations Unlimited and the National Library of Medicine for expert witness research. He highlights the value of these resources in providing detailed information about associations and potential expert witnesses. Jim emphasizes the need for experts to demonstrate their expertise through writing and sharing knowledge with potential clients. He provides examples of questions to ask when evaluating expert witnesses, such as their credentials and testifying experience. Jim advises attorneys to conduct thorough investigations to ensure the credibility and qualifications of expert witnesses. He warns against relying solely on search engines due to their limitations in accessing comprehensive information.

29:00 Finding Expert Witnesses

Jim introduces ThomasNet as a valuable resource for finding information on companies and products related to expert witness cases. He highlights the role of expert witness referral services like TASA and Forensic Group in connecting attorneys with qualified experts. He explains the benefits and costs associated with using expert witness directories and referral services.

38:39 Evaluating Expert Witnesses

Jim discusses the importance of evaluating expert witnesses' credentials and the potential consequences of falsifications. He provides examples of cases where expert witnesses have been challenged due to false credentials, leading to significant legal repercussions. Jim emphasizes the need to research expert witnesses thoroughly, including their websites and past statements. He highlights the role of the Wayback Machine in accessing archived web pages to verify information about expert witnesses.

56:00 Expert Witness Testimony Challenges

Jim discusses the role of platforms like the Daubert Tracker in researching expert witness challenges and exclusions. He emphasizes the need to understand the personal background of expert witnesses, including any criminal history or political affiliations. He discusses the impact of social media on expert witness credibility and the importance of monitoring their online presence. Jim provides examples of how social media posts can affect the perception of expert witnesses in legal cases. He stresses the importance of ensuring that expert witnesses maintain a professional image online.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2025

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: January 31, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in California, South Carolina (all levels), and North Carolina. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.

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Speaker

Jim Robinson President
JurisPro

Jim Robinson is an attorney, and founder of JurisPro Inc., a professional marketing company that features the qualifications of expert witnesses to legal professionals, insurance carriers, and the media. JurisPro also maintains a free online national directory for expert witnesses in over 10,000 areas of expertise (www.JurisPro.com). Jim was also co-founder of www.ExpertWitnessProfiler.com, which produces comprehensive background reports on expert witnesses.