Qualifying & Attacking Expert Witnesses

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Table of Contents

 

1.  Selecting Your Expert

2.  Discovery and Your Expert

3.  Presenting Your Expert at Trial and Arbitration

4.  Attacking the Expert

5.  Commonly Used Experts

1. Selecting Your Expert

§100  Preliminary Considerations

§101  When You Should Retain an Expert

§101.1  Required by Law

§101.2  Required by Facts

§101.3  To Assist the Jury

§101.4  Tactical Considerations

§101.5  Distinction Between Expert and Lay Opinion

§102  Purposes of the Expert

§102.1  Experts as Jury Consultants

§102.1.1  Experts on Jury Composition

§110  Types of Experts

§111  In General

§120  Attributes of the Expert

§121  In General

§121.1  Communicative Skills

§121.2  Honesty

§121.3  Reputation

§121.4  Time and Availability

§121.5  Attitude

§121.6  Employee of Party

§121.7  Academic vs. Practical

§121.8  Prior Witness Experience

§121.9  Proximity

§121.10  Age and Health

§121.11  Concurrence With Case Theory

§130  Locating the Expert

§140  Initial Conference

§140.1  Selection of Your Expert

§150  Compensation of Your Expert

§150.1  Written Agreement with Expert

§151  Control of Expert Witness Costs

§151.1  Utilizing In-House Counsel

§152  Avoiding Incurring Costs of Using Experts

§152.1  Use of Public Records, Government Reports

§160  Conflict of Interest

§160.1  Potential Conflict of Interest During the Selection Process

§170  Liability of Expert for Negligence

§180  Court Appointed Experts

Sample:  Motion to Appoint Independent Expert

Sample:  Order Appointing Expert

2. Discovery and Your Expert

§200  Introduction

§201  The Expert’s Role in Litigation

§201.1  Preservation of Evidence

§201.1.1  Product Liability Cases

§202  The Discovery Process

§202.1  Deposition Preparation Checklist

§202.2  Interrogatory Preparation Checklist

§202.3  Document Production Preparation Checklist

§202.4  Rules of Evidence Checklist

§202.5  Voir Dire

§202.6  Cross-Examination

§203  Disclosure Requirements

§210  Deposition of Your Expert

§211  Instructions to Give the Expert

§212  Videotaped Depositions

§220  Interrogatories and Requests for Admissions

§230  Protective Orders

§240  Your Expert’s Documents

§241      Attorney-Client Privilege

§242      Conflict Between Attorney Work Product And Disclosure Requirements

§243      Cases Requiring Disclosure of Core Work Product

§244      Cases Protecting Core Work Product

§244A    Factual Work Product

§244B    Discovery of Non-Testifying Expert

Sample:   Motion to Quash Subpoena Duces Tecum

Sample:  Order Quashing Subpoena

§245    Admission of Documentary Evidence

Sample:   Stipulation Regarding Admission of Documents

§246    Discovery of Electronic Documents

§247    Discovery on the Internet

3. Presenting Your Expert at Trial and Arbitration

§300  Organizing Your Trial Presentation

§301  In General

§301.1  Voir Dire

Sample:  Voir Dire Questions re Complex Expert Testimony

Sample:  Voir Dire Questions Defusing Expert Testimony

§302  Mapping Out Your Expert’s Testimony

§302.1  Timing: Presentation of Your Expert’s Key Points

§303  Timing: Introducing Your Expert

§304  Calling Cumulative Experts

§305  Opening Statement

§310  Preparing Your Expert to Testify

§311  Preliminary Meeting

§312  Updating Information

§313  Documents

§314  Pretrial Drill

§315  Miscellaneous

§320  Qualifying Your Expert in Trial

§321  Stipulation as to Expert’s Qualifications

§322  Establishing the Expert’s Area of Expertise

§330  Presenting Your Expert’s Opinion

§331  Using Hypothetical Questions

§332  Demonstrative Evidence

§332.1  Introduction

§332.2  Admissibility of Demonstrative Evidence

§332.3  Foundation Requirements of Demonstrative Evidence

§332.4  Pretrial Disclosure of Intended Demonstrative Evidence

§332.5  Costs of Producing Demonstrative Evidence

§332.6  Demonstrative Evidence in the Form of Summaries

§332.7  Effect of Daubert

§332.8  Computer Animations

§332.8.1   Distinction Between Recreation and Illustration

§332.9  Objections to Demonstrative Evidence

§332.9.1   Challenging Opposing Expert’s Animations

§332.10  “Day in the Life” Videos

§332.10.1  Challenges to Day in the Life Videos

§333  Cross-Examination of Your Expert

§334  Increasing the Effectiveness of Your Expert Presentation

§340  Basis of the Expert’s Opinion

§341  Introduction

§342  Direct Information

§343  Indirect Information

§344  Determining Reasonableness

§345  Daubert v. Merrell Dow—Admissibility of Expert Testimony

§345.1  In General

§345.2  Application of Daubert v. Merrell Dow

§345.3  Augmentation of Daubert v. Merrell Dow

§344.4  Abuse of Discretion Standard in Reviewing Expert Testimony

§345A Hearsay

§346   Computer-Generated Information

§346A Public Records and Government Reports

§347   Industry Standards

§348   Objections to Cross-Examination

§348.1  Improper Impeachment

§348.2  Exceeds the Scope of Direct Examination

§348.3  Argumentative or Inflammatory Question

§348.4  Question Misquotes Witness

§349  Offer of Proof

§350  Expert Testimony in Final Argument

§360  Experts in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Settlement

§361  Arbitration Hearing

§362  Selecting the Expert for Arbitration

§363  Discovery

§364  Experts in Mediation and Settlement Proceedings

4. Attacking the Expert

§400  Pretrial Attack

§401  Introduction

§402  Identification of Opposing Expert

§402.1  Discovery of Computer Generated Information

§403  Consulting with Your Client and Expert

§404  Locating Prior Testimony of Opposing Expert

§405  Motion for Summary Judgment

Checklist for Reviewing Transcripts

§406  Pre-Trial Challenges to Opposing Scientific Expert Testimony

§410  Proceeding with Discovery

§411  Establishing a Discovery Plan

§412  Timing of Discovery

§413  Document Production

Sample:  Motion for Production of Expert Report

Sample:  Order for the Production of Expert Witness Report

Checklist for Document Request

§414  Interrogatories

§415  Deposition of Opposing Expert

Pre-Deposition Checklist (Opposing Expert)

§415.1  Areas of Inquiry

§415.1.1  Qualifications

§415.1.2  Information Relied Upon by the Expert

§415.1.3  Expert’s Opinion

§415.1.4  Deposition Questions re Inconsistency

§415.1.5  Deposition or Interrogatory re Writings

§415.1.6  Reliance on Authorities

§415.1.7  Bases for the Expert's Opinion

Sample:  Questions re Expert’s Writings

Post-Deposition Checklist

§420  Attack at Trial

§421  In General

§422  Preparing the Expert Witness Binder

§423  Preliminary Motions

§423.1  Motion in Limine

Sample:  Motion in Limine

§423.1.1  In General

§423.1.2  Importance of Motion in Limine

§423.1.3  Grounds for a Motion in Limine to Exclude Expert Testimony

§423.1.4  Necessity to Object at Trial

§423.1.5  Form of Motion

§423.2  Motion to Exclude Witnesses

§424  Disqualifying the Opposing Expert

§424.1  The Expert’s Experience is Not Relevant

§424.2  Cumulative Evidence

§424.3  Ultimate Issue

§424.4  Lack of Proper Foundation

§424.5  Prejudicial Evidence

§424.6  Undisclosed Expert

§424.7  Improper Subject of Expert Testimony

§424.8  Speculative or Conjectural Evidence

§424.8.1  Malingering

§424.9  The Expert Has Destroyed Evidence

§424.10  The Expert Has Not Complied With Disclosure Requirements

§424.11  Expert Opinion Is Unnecessary

§425  Objections to Direct Testimony

§425.1  The Question Is Too Broad

§425.2  Questions Calling for Hearsay

§425.3  Lack of Foundation

§425.4  Ambiguous or Unintelligible Questions

§425.5  Opinion Beyond the Expert’s Qualification

§430  Cross-Examination

§431  Introduction

§431.1  Preparation for Trial Cross-Examination

§432  Should the Expert be Cross-Examined?

§433  Selected Areas of Cross-Examination

§433.1  Qualifications

Sample:  Cross-Examination re Qualifications

§433.2  Compensation

§433.3  Employment by a Party

§433.4  Undeviating Position

§433.5  Full-Time Expert

Sample:  Cross-Examination re Full Time Expert

§433.6  Improper Assumptions in Reaching Opinion

§434  Inconsistencies

§434.1  With the Expert’s Deposition

§434.2  With Prior Testimony in Other Cases

§434.3  With the Expert’s Published Work

§434.4  With Authorities

§434.4.1  Cross-Examination of Opposing Expert re Use of Authorities

Sample:  Cross-Exam re Establishing Authoritativeness

Sample:  Cross-Examination

§440   Lack of Basis for Opinion

§441  Lack of Training or Experience

§442  Lack of Research

§443  Reliance on Others

§444  Lack of Proper Basis for Opinion

§445  Presentation of Summaries of Documents

§450  Hypothetical Questions

§460  Rebuttal

§470  Restricting Demonstrative Evidence

5. Commonly Used Experts

§500  Expert Document Examiners

§500.1  Introduction

§500.2  Locating Expert Document Examiners

§500.3  Handwriting Experts

§500.4  Nonhandwriting Expert Document Examiners

§510  Expert Appraisers

§510.1  Valuation of Partial Interests

§511  Residential Real Property

§512  Commercial Real Estate

§513  Unimproved Real Property

§514  Value of Businesses

§514.1  Type of Expert

§514.2  Valuation of Intangible Assets

§514.3  Methodology

§514.4  Challenges to Business Valuation Expert Testimony

§515  Personal Property

§520  Construction Experts

§521  Architects and Engineers

§521.1  Negligence of Architects and Engineers

§521.2  Mold Litigation

§522  Contractors

§523  Material Suppliers

§530  Medical Experts

§530.1  In General

§530.1.1 Medical Experts in Mass Tort Litigation

§530.2  Checklist and Sample Questions for Qualification

§530.3  Checklist and Sample Questions for Presentation of Testimony

§530.4  Cross-Examination of Medical Experts

Sample:  Cross-Exam re Bias

Sample:  Cross-Exam re Lack of Qualification

Sample:  Cross-Exam re Inconsistent Statements

Sample:  Questions re Exaggeration

Sample:  Questioning re Lack of Basis for Opinion

Sample:  Cross-Exam re Concessions

§531  Personal Injury Actions

§531.1  Expert Medical Testimony to Establish Causation

§532  Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Actions

§532.1  Demonstrative Evidence in Medical Malpractice Cases

§532.2  Disclosure Requirements

§533  Experts in Elder Abuse Cases

§540  Transportation Experts

§541  Accident Reconstruction Experts

§541.1  Qualifications

§541.2  Basis for Opinion

§541.3  Presentation of Opinion

§541.4  Demonstrative Presentations

§541.5  Challenges to Expert

§541.6  Public Liability for Highway Conditions

§542  Air Crash Experts

§543  Railroad Experts

§544  Maritime Experts

§545  Tire Defect Experts

§550  Economic Experts

§550.1  Accountants as Economic Experts

§551  Personal Injury Litigation

§551.1  Economic Damages Generally

§551.1.1  Selecting Experts

§551.1.2  Basis for Opinion

§551.1.3  Presenting Testimony

§551.1.4  Computer Programs

§551.1.5  Challenging Experts

§551.1.6  Effect of Inflation on Awards for Future Damages

§551.1.7  Structured Settlement Experts

§551.1.8  Valuing Household Services

§551.1.9  Experts on Life Expectancy

§551.1.10  Economic Experts in Punitive Damages Claims

§551.2  Hedonic Damages

§551.2.1  Introduction

§551.2.2  Establishing Claim

§551.2.3  Proof

§551.2.4  Challenges to Expert

§552  Contract Litigation

§552.1  Experts in Stock Brokerage Litigation

§553  Business Valuation

§553.1  Introduction

§553.2  Selecting Experts

§553.3  Valuation Methods

§553.3.1  Asset Valuation

§553.3.2  Formula

§553.3.3  Comparable Sales

§553.3.4  Price Earning Ratio

§553.3.5  Earning Capacity

§553.4  Basis for Opinion

§553.5  Challenging Opposing Expert

§554  Experts in Accounting Malpractice

§560  Experts as to Physical Facts

§560.1  Introduction

§560.2  Attributes of Experts Relating to Physical Facts

§560.3  Utilizing Physical Facts Expert

§560.3.1  Use of Demonstrative Evidence

§560.3.2  Computer Models

§560.4  Challenging the Opposing Expert

§560.5  Physical Facts Experts in Environmental Litigation

§560.5.1  Introduction

§560.5.2  Types of Experts Required

§560.5.3  Selection of the Expert

§560.5.4  Using Expert Testimony

§560.5.5  Challenge to Expert Testimony

§560.6  Physical Facts Experts in Fire Cases

§560.6.1  Introduction

§560.6.2  Selection of the Expert

§560.6.3  Spoliation

§560.6.4  Establishing the Cause of a Fire

§560.6.5  Effect of Daubert on Fire Experts

§560.6.6  Computer Modeling

§561  Experts in Crashworthiness Cases

§561.1  Admissibility of Evidence of Concurrent Cause

§561.2  Examples of Typical Crashworthiness Cases

§561.3  Potential Types of Experts

§561.4  Expert's Resources

§561.5  Examination of Experts

§561.6  Demonstrative Evidence

§570  Engineering Experts

§580  Insurance Experts

§580.1  Experts in Coverage of Mass Torts Involving Continuous Tortuous Conduct

Sample:  Questions for an Insurance Expert

§581  Custom and Practice

§582  Bad Faith Claims

§582.1  First Party, Bad Faith

§582.2  Third Party, Bad Faith

§590  Psychological Experts

Sample:  Notice of Motion for Order Appointing Expert Psychiatric Witness

Sample:  Declaration in Support of Motion for Order Appointing Expert Psychiatric Witness

Sample:  Order Granting Motion and Appointing Expert Witness

§591  Types of Psychological Experts

§592  Qualification

Sample:  Questions re Qualifications

§593  Presentation of Psychological Testimony—Basis for ­Psychological Opinion

§593.1  Personal Injury Psychological Testimony

§593.2  Emotional Distress

§593.2.1  Discovery of Psychiatric Expert Records in Emotional Distress Claims

§593.3  Challenges to Psychological Experts

§594  The Use of Psychological Tests

Sample:  Questioning re Psychological Damage

§595  Brain Injury Claims

Sample:  Questions re Intellectual Impairment

§596  Preparation of the Psychological Expert

§597  Psychological Experts in Criminal Cases

Checklist: Foundational Requirements for Psychological Testimony

§600  Experts in Criminal Trials

§601  In General

§602  Effect of Daubert

§603  Types of Experts

§603.1  Experts Relating to Reliability of Identification

Sample:  Motion to Require Witness to Submit to Psychological Examination

Sample:  Granting Defendant’s Motion to Require John Smith to Submit to a Psychological Examination

§603.2  Experts Relating to Victim’s Delay in Reporting Crime

§603.3  Experts Relating to Justification for Defendant’s Conduct

§603.4  Experts Relating to Scientific Devices and Techniques

§603.4.1  Challenge to Scientific Experts

§603.5  Experts Relating to Character or Defendant

§603.6  Experts Relating to “White Collar Crimes”

§603.7  Experts Relating to Gang Activities

§604  Indigent Criminal Defendants—Provision for Experts

§610  Experts in Employment Litigation

§611  In General

§612  Wrongful Discharge

§613  Sexual Harassment

§614  Race, Age and Sex Discrimination

§615  Disability Discrimination

§616  Privacy Invasion

§617  Failure to Provide Safe Workplace

§618  Expert Testimony to Establish Damages in Employment Litigation

§620  Linguistic Experts

§630  Experts in Legal Malpractice

§631  Establishment of the Duty of an Attorney

§632  Selection of the Expert

§633  Standard of Care

§634  Breach of the Standard of Care

§635  Causation

§636  Damages

§637  Defense of a Legal Malpractice Case

 

Table of Cases

 

Index

L6


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