• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Rss
  • Travel Policy
  • Testimonials
  • Careers
858.587.2874
Ivey Engineering
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Scholarship Contest
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Rush Porter
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Adam Vaczek
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Menu Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Scholarship Contest
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Rush Porter
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Adam Vaczek
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
You are here: Home1 / Courtroom2 / Top 4 Expert Witness Traits to Consider
man serving as expert witness in a courtroom

Top 4 Expert Witness Traits to Consider

December 24, 2018/0 Comments/in Courtroom /by Lisa Zollinger

Just as a surgeon relies on instruments to perform a successful surgery, so does an attorney depend on tools to win a case. One of these tools is an expert witness, or someone, such as a medical examiner, engineer, accountant or scientist, who has more knowledge on a particular subject than the average person and is capable of giving an unbiased opinion in court.

An expert witness plays a crucial role in helping an attorney win a case. For example, in the movie, Primal Fear, Frances McDormand plays a psychiatrist who convinces the jury that the accused Aaron Stampler has multiple personality disorders. She is so convincing that the jury acquits Stampler. Such high-profile expert witnesses have the educational background and expertise that set them apart from the general public.

Finding a good expert witness can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible if you know what to look for. So if you need to hire a testifying expert, check out our list of Top 4 Expert Witness Traits to Consider.

1. Credible

Credibility is the quality of being trusted, believable or convincing and is an essential trait of an expert witness. If an expert does not have credibility, no one, especially a jury, will trust him or her.  Make sure you choose an expert with a clean professional record since his or her professional life will be examined by the opposing counsel. An expert witness should be able to back up any claims with necessary documents, such as degrees, publications and training certificates. Also, an expert’s testimony should be consistent with any previous testimony given. A solid, credible track record adds to an expert witness’ ability to convince the jury and reduce the chance for opposing counsel to discredit his or her testimony.

Next time you’re interviewing a potential expert witness, ask yourself, “Will a jury want to believe this expert?”

group of people in jury seats

2. Well Qualified

An expert witness’ educational background, training and knowledge is equally as important as his or her credibility. Whether you’re hiring a medical, accounting or engineering expert witness, make sure the expert has the proper licenses, degrees, certificates and professional training for the expertise you need. For example,  if you’re looking for a medical expert to testify in a medical malpractice case, he or she should hold a valid medical license and be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Professional experience and training is paramount when weeding out the good versus the bad expert witnesses. If you’re representing a homeowner whose new house was damaged after a water heater exploded, find an expert who can answer this question: “What caused the water heater to explode?” In such a case, you should hire a plumbing expert  who has experience in construction and plumbing defects as well as a knowledge of building codes and standards.  A plumbing expert will typically have a mechanical engineering degree and a professional engineer license.

degree or diploma with graduating cap

3. Objective

Another key trait to look for when hiring an expert witness is objectivity. An effective expert views all facts unemotionally and without regard to how the client or attorney wants them viewed. Although the attorney is an advocate for the client, it is the expert witness’ job to remain impartial and provide an opinion based on knowledge, skill, training, education or experience in a specialized field.  Avoid hiring an expert that lacks the ability to be candid and whose opinions show prejudice.

4. Excellent Communication Skills

While qualifications and experience are essential, an expert witnesses’ communication skills can make or break convincing a jury. Does the expert speak clearly and in layperson terms? Make sure your expert is able to express his or her opinion in a language the jury can understand. Additionally, the expert should be able to defend his or her opinion in a confident manner without sounding arrogant or rude.

female expert testifying in court before a judge

Next time you’re looking for an expert witness, use the above list of traits and questions as a guideline. It could mean the difference between hiring a mediocre versus a superb expert witness! Was there a trait we left off our list? If so, let us know in the comments section below. And remember Ivey Engineering, if you ever need a forensic engineering expert witness.

Tags: expert witness, featured, lawsuit, trial
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
You might also like
two kinds of LED light bulbs 7 Simple Tips to Make Your Home More Green
a group of neighbors serving food at a gathering 10 Reasons to Serve on an HOA Board
man installing solar panels 6 Reasons Why Homeowners Should Go Solar
building with yellow window shades 6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy Efficient
blue natural gas flames coming from furnace 8 Facts You Should Know to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
fire explosion experts investigate building fire 3 Steps Fire & Explosion Experts Use to Investigate a Building Fire
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CONNECT on LinkedIn
FOLLOW on Twitter
CONNECT on Facebook

Recent Blog Posts

  • Two men discussing a building project at the site6 Tips to Hiring a Building Contractor for a Commercial ProjectJanuary 11, 2021 - 4:40 pm
  • white air conditioning vent in an office building7 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs in Commercial BuildingsOctober 23, 2020 - 2:19 pm
  • man suffering from allergies and wiping nose5 Ways to Reduce Allergens in the HomeDecember 26, 2019 - 5:16 pm
  • building with yellow window shades6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy EfficientMay 31, 2019 - 4:59 pm

Categories

  • Community
  • Construction
  • Courtroom
  • Electrical
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • HVAC
  • Plumbing
  • Sustainable Living

Archives

Tags

ancient architecture bamboo bathroom bloopers buildings celebrity change order civil action civil engineering claim class action clean clothes dryer comedy community composting court case courtroom drama energy consumption energy efficiency environmentally friendly expert witness featured fire & life safety fire protection hilarious history home house HVAC lawsuit mistakes movies plumbing rainwater harvesting remodel project renewable sources renovation settlement solar panels sustainability trial verdict

About Us

Ivey Engineering, based in San Diego, California, is an expert witness and forensic consulting firm. IEI serves clients in over 30 states. Our staff is comprised of engineers, former construction executives and service and repair professionals who are licensed in various states.

Get in Touch

Phone: 858.587.2874

Fax: 858.587.6749

E-mail: [email protected]

Address: 8330 Juniper Creek Lane

San Diego, CA 92126

From Our Blog

  • Fire sprinkler with water4 Most Common Fire Sprinkler Systems: Pros and ConsApril 20, 2021 - 3:29 pm
  • Two men discussing a building project at the site6 Tips to Hiring a Building Contractor for a Commercial ProjectJanuary 11, 2021 - 4:40 pm
  • white air conditioning vent in an office building7 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs in Commercial BuildingsOctober 23, 2020 - 2:19 pm
© Copyright 2021 - Ivey Engineering Inc.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expertise
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
7 Water Conservation Tips You Can Try at Home water running from showerhead building with yellow window shades 6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy Efficient
Scroll to top