How to find the expert that is right for your case

Daily Record and the Kansas City Daily News-Press, Nov 5, 2004 by Jane Pribeck

Google the expert, adds Jackson. Then do a Westlaw or LexisNexis search to see if his or her testimony has been cited or criticized by a court. Read samples of the expert's reports and publications, both as an indication of the expert's ability to communicate clearly and to be sure he or she has not gone on record with statements that an adversary could use against you.

Along these lines, it's critical to check all available prior testimony, says Conlin, who observes that in more than one case she has cut the legs off the other side by finding testimony from their expert in other cases that totally contradicts his or her position in the case at bar.

Meet the expert before hiring him or her. Resumes, published articles and prior testimony are not the complete picture; a face-to- face interview is key to learn how the expert presents him or herself, Beaulier says. Clinicians may be well versed in their particular area of expertise but very poor in relating their research and analysis to a jury. An expert must not only be properly trained but also be able to effectively communicate that training and information to a less knowledgeable jury.

Expert independence is another critical element, he continues. As a general rule, you should see red flags when an expert that has been used exclusively for a defendant or a claimant.