A Video Review
The State Bar of Wisconsin in late 1990 published an excellent video tape, Preparing Your Expert Witness. It runs approximately 40 minutes. An expert witness is followed through the preparation, deposition and trial stages of a hypothetical personal injury case involving a surfboard accident.
The basics include the role of the expert, when does the expert get involved, information needed when retained, rules of discovery and how they effect the expert, how the expert protects himself from discovery, and how to substantiate an opinion.
The tape offers guidelines in formulating an opinion and documenting the expert's background.
It then sets the expert in the deposition environment and explains likely things the expert will be asked, what the expert has to do, what he or she should do, and the benefit of a rehearsal.
Finally, it places the expert in the trial setting and explains the direct and the cross examination.
The tape is thorough and assists both a person who is testifying as an expert for the first time, and the seasoned expert witness.
The tape would be a valuable asset in the office of any attorney who litigates, since today an expert is involved in almost every case. It should be made available to all experts, but definitely should be viewed for those who have not appeared as an expert before. It is also recommended for inclusion in the library of those experts who offer their services in litigation.
The tape may be procured from State Bar of Wisconsin, Law Office Videotape Series, P. O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158 at a cost of $145 plus $4 shipping. Questions can be answered at 1-800-728-7788.
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