The Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA) is the only non-profit professional membership organization that verifies that each of its professional members has testified at least three times as an expert witness.

FEWA is dedicated to the professional development, ethics and promotion of forensic consultants in all fields of discipline. FEWA provides professional education for experts of all levels of experience and also for those aspiring to be experts who have not yet testified, which spans all technical specialties.

Click below to learn more about FEWA and how to become a member! 

Melanie Modica writes appraisal reports for fine art property, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, and reviews of personal property appraisals to conclude opinions of compliance with uniform standards for the work products of other appraisers. Her litigation services include valuing and testifying for fine art appraisal work, personal property appraisal review work to conclude opinions of uniform standards compliance, non-testifying consulting, and the management of appraisers on multifaceted assignments consisting of all property types.
Click below to learn more about Melanie.

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!

Social media plays a big role in our lives. While social media can be a useful tool, there can be downsides to using it as an expert witness. Learn the dos and don’ts of using social media for expert witnesses. 

Having experience that aligns with the question put forward in a medical malpractice trial qualifies someone to testify as an expert witness, but it takes more than that to establish that the opinion they are offering is reliable, physicians tell the Michigan Supreme Court.

A party that prevails in a lawsuit cannot recover attorney’s fees unless a statute provides that remedy. The “American Rule” generally requires parties to pay their own legal fees. Prevailing parties can tax certain costs of litigation, including filing and service fees, necessary deposition transcripts, subpoena and statutory witness fees, and the cost of certifying necessary records. The losing party must pay those costs to the prevailing party. But can prevailing parties recover the fees paid to expert witnesses?

Aside from the standard rules of evidence, an expert must follow specific rules during testimony. These include a rule known as “never talk down to the jury,” reliance on circumstantial evidence, and limitations on the scope of testimony. Futher, expert witness services cannot rely on their client’s or attorney’s word. If their testimony is contradictory or in error, their credibility may be shattered.

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.