For many attorneys an expert witness is often considered a necessary evil. An expert is now indispensable in complex civil and criminal cases – but jurors can be skeptical of their testimony as there may be concerns of bias or manipulation by the hiring attorney.
In this highly practical program, Dr. Allison Muller, a board-certified toxicologist & expert witness, will provide attorneys with first-hand insight on effectively identifying, selecting and preparing expert witnesses for testimony to optimize their role in litigation. Topics discussed: sources to find experts, your first call, contracting with the witness, how to handle the expert report if it’s optional, mastering expert witness preparation, the dry run for direct & cross examination, disclosure of witness-generated materials, retaining counsel at deposition, runaway fees and scope creep. Attorneys will learn practical ways to build relationships with expert witnesses, including effective communication and collaboration techniques. Lastly, Dr. Muller will provide tips from the trenches by presenting four different case examples to highlight common pitfalls to avoid when working with experts to ensure that experts deliver compelling presentations at deposition and trial.
Dr. Muller is a board-certified toxicologist, fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and registered pharmacist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of clinical toxicology.