We are excited to announce that you can now attend the 2020 FEWA National Conference, either in person or online through a live-streaming platform!

All registrants will save $50 on registration through July 31 AND receive complimentary access to all future 2020 FEWA webinars. FEWA will continue to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and work with the CDC to adhere to strict safety guidelines when planning this event.

Join FEWA for the next installment of the FEWA Virtual Academy series on Wednesday, July 16 at 1:00 pm PT! The program, Utilizing Existing and Emerging Technologies to Maximize Juror Connection, will be presented by Senior Managing Directors at Ankura, Erica Massaro-Hales and Chad Paulin. 

The Forensic Expert Witness Association offers webinars specifically tailored to the continuing education of expert witnesses. The FEWA Webinar series is free for all FEWA members and offered at the low price of $30 for non-members. The webinars are created to fit within the CFLC Core Program.     

Webinars and virtual chapter meetings are open to all members and non-members.  

Dara Hendrix is a managing director in BRG's Global Construction practice and has over thirty years of experience. She has successfully built, managed, and consulted on a variety of projects for large builders, owners, and developers across the country. Her project experience includes civil infrastructure, transportation, waste-water treatment, maritime, public buildings, military, healthcare, data, telecommunications, environmental, commercial, industrial, mixed use, multifamily residential, hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Read more about Dara below. 

FEWA member, Philip J. Obiedzinski, DPM, shares his case study in this issue’s Member Editorial Corner. Philip graduated from St. Peter's College in Jersey City with a BS in biology then attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he completed a two-year residency in foot surgery. He is Board Certified in Foot/Ankle Surgery and has been published in several podiatry journals and has attended many clinical conferences.

Though many courts have moved multiple services to videoconferencing during the pandemic, most have been wary of conducting trials via video. Still, some courts have forged ahead into the realm of videoconferencing to help move the mounting backlog of trial matters toward resolution.

Juries, judges, and lawyers are not security experts. To clarify the finer points and explain industrywide practices and standards of care, expert witnesses can be hired to study the case and testify in court or in deposition hearings, either against or in defense of the defendant’s security measures.

Cardiology Expert Witnesses are often called to testify. The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), wrote a statement on the subject of Expert Witnesses some years ago. In it, they state that a Cardiovascular Expert Witness has the obligation and duty as a doctor, as a member of society, and as a member of the cardiology profession, to act as an expert witness in litigation where cases involve her or his experience, training, or knowledge. 

Financial expert testimony is sometimes a requirement to really prove the extent of loss that comes from a crash. Crashes certainly come with a substantial amount of property damage and medical bills. But what about the other losses? The time you lost at work? The promotion you likely missed because of the time that you spent away from the office? How about the benefits that you missed out on?

In most cases, a retained expert must prepare a report that states the expert’s opinions, as well as the facts and reasoning that supports those opinions. Yet expert reports do not appear out of the blue. Experts may labor over the report for weeks, treating them as works in progress that evolve over time.