PACS Course Number 2065
9 AM to 5 PM
Many scientists have a real potential of being an expert witness at some time in their life. Typically a scientist finds themself in this expert witness situation, but is ill-prepared to appreciate the typical consequences and directions that these cases take. This course is designed to provide information for scientists, to prepare them for what to expect and how to evaluate their performance during expert witness practices.
After completing this course, participants will have an appreciation of the roles and liabilities involved with providing expert witness services. They will have a realistic overview of the course of legal cases — When to take cases and when not to… How to state opinions and conclusions in a defensible manner. If you need to prepare for a role as an expert witness, if you want to start an expert witness practice, or if you just want an overview of the expert witness process, this course is for you. This course provides for a beginner level and has no prerequisites.
Course Registration is available. You may also register through an associated conference registration. Send it with a payment of $1250 to secure your course attendance. Hotel information and a map will be sent to confirm your registration. Please list your special interest(s) on the registration form. Enrollment is limited to assure your maximum course benefits. On-site PACS courses are available (most PACS courses can be provided at your time and place). Telephone PACS at 1.724.457.6576 if you need further information. PACS also provides laboratory testing and consulting services.
Expert Witness and Legal Case Support Work for Scientists
Course Instructor: Dr. Henry Nowicki
- Course topics
- Introduction
- The well written report
- Legal requirements
- Working with counsel
- Formatting and proofing
- Disclosure of documents reviewed
- Qualifications of the expert
- Expressing factual assumptions
- Staying within expert’s true area of expertise
- Stating opinions
- The importance of research
- What not to include in a report
- Defending the expert report
- Discoverability of expert reports and related material
- Attorney-client privilege
- Work product protection
- Nontestifying experts
- Testifying experts
- Oral and draft reports
- Legal requirements and Rule 26
- Rule 26 and supplemental Rule 26 reports
- Timeliness
- Requirements under state law
- Vulnerability on cross-examination
- Formatting
- Looks: font, spacing, cover page, numbering
- Content: concise paragraphs, executive summary
- Summary judgement reports in the form of affidavits
- Properly disclosing documents reviewed
- Thoroughness
- Numbering lists
- Including and including, but not limited to Relevant portions of Missing records and documents not reviewed
- Stating the expert’s qualifications accurately and objectively
- How to best express and document detailed and specific factual assumptions
- Provide detailed and specific information
- Citations to information source
- Incorrect factual assumptions
- Reliability of data and information
- Dates
- Information supplied by retaining counsel
- Importance of staying within area of expertise
- Provide detailed and specific information
- Citations to information source
- Incorrect factual assumptions
- Reliability of data and information
- Stating opinions and conclusions in a defensible manner
- State opinions clearly, with confidence
- State reasons for opinions
- Failure to disclose
- Documenting a reliable methodology
- How to use citations to bolster credibility
- Citing authority properly
- Consequences of failure to cite specifically
- Quoting authority: text, codes, articles
- Making your report powerful, persuasive and understandable
- State things clearly and directly
- Do not guess
- Avoid boilerplate language
- Avoid absolute words
- Do not use emphasis in expressing findings
- Use active voice and precise language
- Define technical terms and jargon
- Not to be included in report
- “Friendly language” directed at counsel
- Letterhead
- Cover letters
- Discussions with retaining counsel
- Red-Flag words to avoid
- Proofreading for mistakes
- Substantive mistakes
- Bad grammar
- Typographical errors
- Spelling and Run-on sentences
- Defeating Counsel’s Tactics
- Tactics
- Legal requirements
- Accuracy and objectivity
- Unearned designations or degrees
- Knowledge of literature
- Model reports to review
- Recommended Reading List
Upcoming Expert Witness and Legal Case Support Work for Scientists:
No Events
Contact PACS to register and/or to confirm course events.
View the PACS Short Course Calendar–>
Course participants are encouraged to e-mail questions:
George Nowicki
Lab Manager
E-mail: George@pacslabs.com
Rich Capp
Office Administrator
E-mail: Rich@pacslabs.com
Send samples and postal inquiries to:
PACS, Inc.
409 Meade Drive
Coraopolis, PA 15108
Other PACS contact information:
Phone: 1-724-457-6576 or 1-800-367-2587
PACS website: https://pacslabs.com
Please list your special interest during registration. We will try to accommodate your interest.
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