Our guest, John Lauhoff owns an industrial and construction consulting firm specializing in litigation support. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Certified Safety Professional, with over 25 years of experience. Mr. Lauhoff is a sought-after expert witness, with engagements across 21 states for both plaintiff and defendant. 

In this episode…

At the beginning of a case, expert witnesses often face a large infodump from the engaging attorney. It is important to thoroughly go over everything before beginning the report writing process; if the attorney sent it, it’s there for a reason. Mr. Lauhoff takes notes on all documentation, and brings them to trial:

I read everything that an attorney sends me; absolutely every word. [. . .] [The attorney] wants me to read it. So I read it, and I take notes on it [. . .] and I take them to any deposition that I go to. You're also permitted to take them to trial if you're going to testify; [. . .] they're not a test of memory. 

Additionally, Mr. Lauhoff talks about how opposing attorneys will try to get you rattled, the importance of tracking code changes, and the way expert witnesses can affect public policy.