Cultivating Issue-Specific Expert Witnesses

The testimony of an expert witness can dramatically affect the way that the trier-of-fact views the evidence presented in a civil case. Simply put, the opinion of your expert often determines whether your client wins, loses or settles. The practice of utilizing individuals who are highly-recommended and have broad knowledge in their field may be adequate, but whether you represent a plaintiff or a defendant in a case requiring expert opinion, it is in your client's best interests to retain an expert witness who is more than merely adequate.

Retaining an expert with hands-on experience with the specific subject matter in issue can give your client a distinct advantage. This normally involves finding individuals who have rarely or never served as experts, but have a greater depth of expertise than a "tried-and-true" generalist. The process may take a bit more time than simply contacting "the usual suspects," but attorneys who seek out and work with issue-specific experts may find that these experts are easier to work with and add more value to their case than more commonly utilized experts. 

This 90-minute seminar, hosted by veteran trial attorney and Montclair State University professor Gary J. Chester, addresses the circumstances in which you should consider cultivating new, issue-specific expert witnesses, what to look for when considering potential candidates, and how and where to find them. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify cases requiring expert opinion
2. Determining the pros and cons of using a generalist
3. Identify cases benefitting from issue-specific expert opinion
4. Locating and vetting potential issue-specific experts