Expert Witness News, Articles, Reports and Reference Documents

Apr 27 ’20 — Expert witnesses may need to travel to the county were the case will be heard rather than being deposed in their own county under changes to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules being considered for proposal by a Chicago Bar Association rules committee.

Apr 21 ’20 — Facing retaliation for their expert opinions from the academic institutions that employ them, whether due to corporate influence or university policy, expert witnesses have few palatable recourses. Winning claims are at best bitter-sweet victories.

Apr 10 ’20 — Making even minor assumptions provides an opening to attack the credibility of an expert witness opinion; blaming the past exclusion of expert opinions on the bias of judges may not be an effective counter-strategy. At least not in this whiplash case.

Apr 3 ’20 — Today, expert witnesses may find themselves at a deposition, seated alone at their own desk, with a webcam and microphone, taking their oath remotely. Or have their deposition forgone. Traditional methods and strategies may need some adjustment.

Mar 27 ’20 — Switching sides — being employed by one side and later retained by the opposition in litigation — has been considered a clear conflict of interest, a “bright line” rule, but that line isn't always so bright.

Jan 22 ’20 — Serving as an expert witness can be rewarding, and finanically lucrative, but those who serve as experts are not immune from liabilities for their actions, as in this instance where the expert would have preferred bankruptcy to the ultimate outcome.

Dec 27 ’19 — Expert witnesses are not required to be licensed in a profession to testify as to the standard of care in that profession, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled, reversing the trial court.

Dec 26 ’19 — Changing expert opinion on cross-examination in a patent dispute was so exceptional that it warranted not only dismissal of the case, but also the award of more than $400,000 in attorneys’ fees, a US Federal District Court ruled.

Dec 12 ’19 — Excluding mention of evidence expert witnesses base their opinions on denies opposing counsel their right to cross-examine experts about that evidence and its validity, an Illinois appellate court has ruled, reversing the trial court.

Dec 3 ’19 — Observers assumed that a dog was suffering from the heat after spending an hour locked in a car without water on a hot day. Proving the dog owner’s innocence required an expert witness who could explain modern car technology.