Legal expert witnesses provide specific insight into disputes related to attorneys and law firms. When searching for expert witnesses to support your client’s case, you must take the time to ensure that these individuals are qualified and will convey your position clearly to a courtroom.

The first step you should take when searching for expert witnesses is to seek information from your colleagues in the legal community. Ask about cases the expert has testified in and how the court ruled in those cases. Additionally, many attorneys browse the Internet for expert witnesses. Many expert witnesses provide a copy of their resume or curriculum vitae online. Simply reading through a biography and history of cases can give you significant insight about whether an individual will provide valuable testimony in your case. There are several commercial databases that also provide listings with contact information for reputable expert witnesses.

Once you have identified a short list of possible expert witnesses for your case, the next step is to contact these individuals to schedule a brief consultation. Most of the time, you will be able to get a feel of their professionalism and expertise in the area after just a brief conversation. Take notes on their education and background to help you make your decision.

Inform the expert of the issues in your case. Discuss each issue in your case with the expert, and inform the expert of the evidence you have to back up your arguments for each issue. Having a clear list of goals will expedite your search for a valuable expert witness.

Instead of reserving using your expert only for testifying at trial, you should consult your expert throughout the case, such when y preparing for mediations, court hearings, or drafting settlement agreements.