Do you know of someone who has gone above and beyond recently? Let us recognize their professional contributions by featuring them as the FEWA Member Spotlight in our bi-weekly newsletter! If you have someone in mind, send their name and accomplishments to info@forensic.org.

The FEWA e-newsletter is distributed twice a month – that’s 24 opportunities for you to contribute an article, news item or event notice for our newsletter! We are always interested to hear about your experiences as an expert witness and legal consultant, whether you are just starting out your career or are a seasoned expert. The Forensic Expert Witness is the perfect place to write an op-ed style article about it to share your insights with other experts, and gain visibility for your FEWA profile and expertise.

Submit your community editorial to the FEWA National Staff by clicking below. Happy writing!

David Greetham specializes in digital forensics, eDiscovery and network forensics. He is s the Principal at PC Forensics. He has testified as an expert on numerous occasions both nationally and internationally. Notably, David provided testimony in the landmark Coleman Holdings v. Morgan Stanley case. As an industry veteran of over 30 years, David is a Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC) by FEWA, a Certified eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS) by the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialist and is a Certified Computer Crime Investigator (CCI) by the High Tech Crime Network. He is a frequent speaker for Bar Association meetings and continuing legal education events. 

Your FEWA membership includes a number of benefits, including a listing in the FEWA Online Directory and an Enhanced Online Profile. Enhanced Online Profile allows members to improve their visibility to members of the legal community who are seeking experts by making effective enhancements. Are you making the most of your Directory listing? Do you have an Online Enhanced Profile? Take advantage of these benefits today!

Originally adopted in 1938, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure have been amended many times, most recently in 2020. The FRCP also forms the basis for a number of state court rules of civil procedure. Today, the FRCP plays a key role in determining how federal civil trials proceed. The rules impact the filing of an initial complaint through the participation of expert witnesses and evidence gathering. The FRCP also has a hand in the events of a trial or settlement and the process of appeal. Expert witnesses can benefit from a familiarity with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, particularly Rule 26 which addresses discovery and expert witness requirements.

The public has been invited to comment on a proposed amendment to Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The amendment would give federal judges greater authority to exclude expert testimony that a jury might reasonably regard as reliable. Unfortunately, the public has little inkling of the rule’s importance. Consumers, injury victims, and employees are among those who benefit from a jury’s consideration of honest expert opinions. Those individuals, however, have an increasingly diminished voice in a legal system that is dominated by a desire to tilt the playing field in favor of corporate interests.

Is there a limit to how much an expert witness physician can reasonably charge? In two recent rulings, judges have said, “Yes.”

Whether an attorney represents a plaintiff or defendant, they hire an expert who will provide compelling testimony to support their client. Sometimes, multiple experts from a variety of disciplines may be required. When should an attorney consider hiring a certified or registered consulting arborist as an expert witness? 

Expert witnesses form the crux of many legal matters, especially when it comes to medical malpractice. Having a qualified, effective medical expert on your trial team can be the difference between a large payout and having the case dropped entirely. Below, we discuss the role of the medical expert in a medical malpractice case. If you are pursuing or defending against a medical malpractice case, call a qualified medical expertfor advice and assistance.

As an expert witness, you typically review potential medical malpractice cases for plaintiff or defense attorneys and give an opinion as to whether the actions taken were above or below the standard of care. Your opinion is based on your training, experience, and education, but medicine is a dynamic field where knowledge changes over time. By supporting your expert opinions with literature and resources—including specialty consensus guidelines, professional committee publications, and medical literature—your knowledge base will benefit your patient care and make you a valued go-to resource for your professional colleagues.

The courtroom is an increasingly important arena for determining who should pay for climate-related damages and the government’s role to protect us from climate change. Physical and social scientists play a crucial role in this burgeoning field of climate litigation by helping judges and juries understand the most current and robust climate science

Did you attend the FEWA National Conference? Conference attendees earned up to 13.5 educational credits towards the Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC Credential). FEWA Professional and Professional Consulting members are eligible to apply for the CFLC. Do you qualify for the CFLC? Learn more about the application requirements.