By Round Table Group
After 25 years helping litigators find the right expert witnesses, Round Table Group’s network contains some of the world’s greatest experts. On this podcast, we talk to some of them about what’s n
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The podcast currently has 126 episodes available.
In this episode…
Our guest, Professor Stephen Diamond, is an Associate Professor of Law at Santa Clara University and an expert witness for law firms on a wide range of business and governance issues. He is a published author, researcher, and recipient of an SSRC MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in International Peace and Security. Professor Diamond holds a JD from Yale and a PhD in Political Science from the University of London.
According to Professor Diamond, having a great deal of expertise does not necessarily correspond to being a great testifying expert witness. The ability to use your knowledge and experience to research and opine upon the specifics of the case’s unique fact pattern differentiates the two, which comes with experience.
Check out the entire episode for our discussion on encouragement from attorneys, when to say “no” to engagements, and the importance of frank conversations.
In this episode…
Our guest, Dr. John Stanton, is a Professor of Food Marketing at St. Joseph’s University and a sought-after expert witness in food marketing and product development, advertising, and sales. He is in the European Retail Association’s and Private Label Manufacturers’ halls of fame. Dr. Stanton is a frequent conference speaker. He has a Ph.D. in Quantitative Methods and Marketing from St. Joseph’s University.
Staying engaged in your field through work or academia is important, according to Dr. Stanton. He notes that when expert witness work is not your primary career, it is easier to say “no” to engagements you aren’t an excellent fit for, which is essential in maintaining credibility.
Check out the entire episode discussing not taking anything personally, reasonable fees, and the ramifications of being published.
In this episode...
Our guest, David Smith is the president of Alpine Engineering and Design, Inc., a mechanical engineering firm specializing in product design and development. He is a licensed safety professional, professional engineer, and has been awarded numerous patents. Mr. Smith is an experienced product liability and patent expert witness, and holds an MBA and MS in mechanical engineering from BYU.
Between trials and depositions, the latter can be a lot tougher, according to Mr. Smith. With no judge present to mediate, moments can become heated with table-slamming, interruptions, and off-hand comments. While not all depositions are hostile, Mr. Smith recommends knowing the case, being confident in your expertise, and relying on empirical data to prepare.
Check out the full episode for our discussion on using visual aids, the importance of credibility, and building relationships.
In this episode…
Our guest, Sameer Somal, is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology, an online reputation management firm, and Girl Power Talk and Girl Power USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women leaders in developing economies. He is a published author and expert in economic damages, IP, and Internet defamation. Mr. Somal holds CPA, CFP, and CAIA certifications.
According to Mr. Somal, experts should take a proactive role in creating and fostering relationships with expert witnesses and attorneys. Relationships are foundational to lead generation, expertise maintenance, and a productive working environment. With a support network of peers, it is easier to navigate the inevitable obstacles even experienced experts encounter.
Check out the entire episode for our discussion on challenging depositions, collaboration, and lessons from Lincoln.
In this episode…
Our guest, Dr. Jeffrey Miller, is the Dean of Engineering and Computational Sciences at Southern Utah University. He’s a sought-after expert witness with expertise in point-of-sale systems, driverless vehicles, trade secrets, and software. Dr. Miller holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.
According to Dr. Miller, initial phone calls will not always reveal the intricacies of the case. Beyond competence in your field, the hiring attorney is considering your demeanor, whether you will mesh as a team, and whether your opinion will be useful in obtaining a favorable judgment for the client. A confident, professional presentation is as important as subject-matter expertise.
Check out the full episode for our discussion on assistants to experts, Zoom demeanor, and being unafraid to say, “I don’t know.”
In this episode…
Our guest, Michael LeRoy, is the President of Crown Capital Advisors, LLC, an investment banking, and financial consulting firm. His specialties include corporate governance, damage calculations, mergers, and acquisitions, and more. Mr. LeRoy holds an MBA in finance from USC.
Judges have diverse backgrounds and skill levels, according to Mr. LeRoy. Whether in front of the SEC, state court, or even an ex-judge arbitrator, it is important to be ready for the varied styles you might encounter. Prepare, so you are not thrown off by particularly aggressive or lay judges.
Check out the entire episode for our discussion about working in arbitration and the importance of solid visual aids.
In this episode . . .
Today’s guest is Kathryn Arnold, a film production veteran and expert witness with a full-service consulting practice. With specialties ranging from economic damage to distribution, she has worked on over eighty-five cases and has over 20 years of expertise. Once you have established yourself as a respected expert witness in your field, your name carries a good deal of weight. As your name alone might drive a case toward a settlement, Ms. Arnold advises building a significant, non-refundable retainer into your engagement contracts. You have spent significant time and money to become—and remain—at the top of your field, so make sure you are compensated.
Check out the full episode for our discussion on gender disparity in actions, expert teams, and the importance of independent research.
In this episode...
Our guest, Thad McIlroy is an author, consultant, and expert witness specializing in AI marketing and social media. He has published or worked on over eighteen books and five hundred articles and consulted on topics including incorporating AI, digital publishing technologies, and beyond.
While there are certainly pitfalls in any nascent technology, AI is emerging as a useful tool for expert witnesses, according to Mr. McIlroy. He believes it can be a valuable research tool, when properly fact-checked, and checking for repetitive statements and logic errors.
Check out the whole episode for our discussion on the joys of expert witnessing, billing concerns, and getting to know your attorney.
In this episode…
Our guest, Mr. Richard Leisner, is a senior corporate and securities transactional attorney at Trenham Law and an expert witness in high-stakes business litigation and legal malpractice actions. He has been included in Tampa Magazine's Top Lawyers List and is a published author. Mr. Leisner holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania.
During cross-examination, while getting into the rhythm of answering questions, the opposing counsel can trick you if you aren’t careful. Mr. Leisner recommends processing each question as it comes, making sure you fully understand it before answering—or asking for clarification when you don’t. Good lawyers will prepare experts for this tactic, but it is important to remain thoughtful, without slipping into automatic answering.
Check out the episode for our full discussion, including hourly engagements, tracking your opinions over time, and personal conflicts.
In this episode…
Our guest, Gregory Herman-Giddens, is a trust estate and tax attorney, president of the Trust Council law firm, and President of Trust Protector, LLC, which provides trust protector services domestically and abroad. Additionally, Mr. Herman-Giddens is an experienced expert witness and holds a JD from Tulane.
Most experts in the trusts field are attorneys as well, while the retaining attorney may not be a trusts expert, according to Mr. Herman-Giddens. This presents an opportunity for the expert to help “pick apart” the opposing side’s arguments in pleadings. Attorneys appreciate experts who leverage their expertise to find these opportunities in this manner.
Check out the entire episode for our discussion on billing, working in different states, and work-life balance.
The podcast currently has 126 episodes available.