Claim OwnershipEngaging Experts
Subscribed: 5Played: 109
Subscribe
© 2025 Engaging Experts
Description
After 25 years helping litigators find the right expert witnesses, Round Table Group’s network contains some of the world’s greatest experts. On this podcast, we talk to some of them about what’s new in their field of study and their experience as expert witnesses.
175 Episodes
Reverse
Want to know why the best experts rarely “win” a case—and why they still matter so much? We sit down with veteran estate and tax attorney and expert witness John Hartog to unpack the real value of expert testimony: confidence backed by facts, credibility that survives cross, and preparation that starts early enough to shape the entire strategy. John traces his first expert assignment decades ago to what makes testimony persuasive now. We talk about the line between confidence and overconfide...
In this episode . . . Ever seen a brilliant expert lose a jury in five minutes? Credentials alone don’t win cases, and today, we’re unpacking why. We’ve brought together three seasoned voices to share what really matters when turning expertise into testimony that persuades: Erik Groothuis – Commercial Litigation Attorney and ArbitratorMark McKenna – Professor at UCLA and Partner at Lex Lumina, LLPKevin Hensley – Partner at Barton GilmanFrom the first call to cross-examination, our panel dives...
Media standoffs don’t start in a courtroom—they start at the negotiating table where content owners and distributors wrestle over price, reach, and leverage. We invited Howard Homonoff, senior advisor in media and entertainment, longtime dealmaker, Forbes columnist, and adjunct professor—to unpack how those high-stakes negotiations evolve into legal disputes and what great expert work actually looks like when the lights come on. Howard traces his path across both sides of the aisle, from acq...
Money leaves a trail, but only a clear storyteller can make that trail persuade a jury. We sit down with forensic CPA and litigation consultant Tatevik Torossian to unpack how expert witnesses transform complex financial disputes into simple, credible narratives that hold up under fire. From early career lessons to first-chair testimony, she shares the preparation habits that matter most: reading your own depo transcript, pressure-testing schedules, and anticipating the strongest lines of att...
What does it take to bridge the gap between deep technical expertise and effective courtroom testimony? Dr. Kirk McDaniel, with over 40 years of experience in mining and underground spaces, pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of expert witnessing. The conversation reveals crucial insights for both aspiring expert witnesses and attorneys who work with them. Dr. McDaniel emphasizes the cardinal rule of expert testimony: "Know your lane and stick to it." This principle has guided hi...
Dr. Shawn Zardouz is a double board-certified specialist in Pain Medicine and Neurology, and the only physician in Newport Beach with this distinction. He holds a B.A. in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and earned his M.D. from Wayne State University, graduating with honors in biomedical research. His postgraduate training includes an award-winning internship at Loma Linda University Medical Center, a neurology residency at UC San Diego, and a prestigious pain medicine fellowship ...
A single magazine ad nudged a young CPA out of audit rooms and into the courtroom—and the lessons since have reshaped how we think about expert testimony. We sit down with Mark Gottlieb, practice leader at MSG and one of Forbes’ top CPAs for valuations, to explore how a forensic accountant turns complex financials into stories judges and juries can trust. From the first conflict check to the last exhibit tab, Mark shows why clarity and ethics are the expert’s real edge. We unpack the two hat...
In this episode… Today’s guest, Dr. Pavithra Kumar, is a principal at Advanced Analytical Consulting Group. She specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to questions arising in complex security and finance litigation. Dr. Kumar is a published author and holds a PhD in finance from MIT. Women and minorities make up some of the most accomplished experts in their fields, yet they are often at a disadvantage when attorneys choose expert witnesses, according to Dr. Kumar. It...
Ever wondered what happens when trees become the center of legal disputes? Marty Shaw takes us behind the scenes of his fascinating career as an arboricultural expert witness, where he serves as "the CSI of trees" for courtrooms across America. Shaw's journey into expert witnessing began unexpectedly while working as a wholesale distributor for tree healthcare products. A chance meeting with an established consultant opened his eyes to a profession where his specialized knowledge could help ...
The hidden world of mortgage fraud and litigation comes alive in this eye-opening conversation with Anna DeSimone, owner of Housing Research LLC and a preeminent expert in residential mortgage lending since the mid-1980s. The financial services industry presents unique challenges for expert witnesses due to its thousands of state and federal regulations, each with numerous nuances and sub-rules. DeSimone walks us through her process of evaluating cases, from spreading dozens of appraisa...
The courtroom can be an intimidating place for anyone—but when Jill Kessler-Miller walks in, she brings 30 years of dog expertise and an uncanny ability to decode what canines are really telling us. As she puts it with refreshing candor, "If I'm an advocate, it's for the dog." Kessler-Miller's journey from dog trainer to sought-after expert witness began with a simple suggestion from an attorney friend. Today, she navigates cases ranging from dog bites to fatalities, service dog evaluations ...
The journey from law enforcement to expert witness isn't a common one, but for Benjamin Mink, it provided the perfect foundation for becoming a leading voice in DEA compliance and opioid litigation. In this revealing conversation, Mink shares how his background as an Alaska State Trooper and undercover narcotics detective uniquely positioned him to navigate the complex world of pharmaceutical compliance. Mink's expertise wasn't developed in a classroom—it came through a "baptism by fire" whe...
What happens when a seasoned electrical utility professional with 35 years of experience decides to leverage his expertise in the courtroom? Christopher Larson, president of Larson Elite and a certified fire and explosion investigator, shares his fascinating journey into expert witnessing in this candid conversation. The conversation delves into practical matters essential for anyone considering expert witnessing: establishing non-refundable retainers, determining appropriate billing practic...
When Steve Hopper received an unexpected call from an attorney thirteen years ago, he never imagined it would lead to a second career spanning over 55 cases as an expert witness in warehousing and logistics. Initially skeptical about expert witnessing due to negative media portrayals, Hopper discovered the critical importance of bringing specialized knowledge to judges and juries navigating complex technical issues. Perhaps most valuable is Hopper's perspective on ethics in expert testimony....
When medical technology and legal expertise intersect, Dr. Linda van Roosmalen stands at that fascinating crossroads. Our conversation dives deep into her journey from university research lab to courtroom expert witness in the specialized field of wheelchair transportation safety. Dr. van Roosmalen pulls back the curtain on the ethical backbone of expert witnessing. She recounts refusing to alter her professional opinion despite attorney pressure, explaining why integrity isn't just morally ...
Ever wondered what happens when economics meets the courtroom? Dr. Philip Cross pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of economic expert witnessing with refreshing candor and practical wisdom. After earning his PhD from the University of Wisconsin and teaching at Georgetown University, Dr. Cross transitioned through major consulting firms before founding his own successful practice. His journey reveals a counterintuitive truth: authenticity trumps polish in the expert witness busine...
When Dr. Linsey Willis took her first expert witness case in 1998, she had no idea it would launch a decades-long career testifying in cases across the United States. With refreshing candor and practical wisdom, Dr. Willis reveals what makes for success in the expert witness arena. Her approach combines rigorous ethics with savvy business practices. "Know what you know and know what you don't know," she advises, emphasizing that genuine expertise—not financial motivation—should drive ca...
What truly separates effective expert witnesses from those who merely possess technical knowledge? According to family law attorney Carl Taylor, it comes down to the expert's ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives that connect with judges and juries. In this wide-ranging conversation, Taylor draws on over 15 years of courtroom experience to share what attorneys really look for when selecting expert witnesses. Beyond credentials and expertise, he emphasizes the im...
Professor Lynn Rosenblum takes us behind the scenes of expert witnessing in the toy industry, revealing how deep subject matter expertise transforms into compelling testimony. Her path from Mattel's Director of Marketing to Associate Professor of Toy Design at Otis College has given her a unique vantage point on the industry she loves. Drawing from experiences manufacturing toys in eleven countries and working with companies of all sizes, she brings unparalleled knowledge to her role as an ex...
From accidental courtroom testimony to becoming "The Privacy Professor," Rebecca Herold's journey into expert witnessing began when the FBI sought her evidence in a criminal case involving her home's previous owners. This unexpected experience revealed her natural talent for explaining complex matters under pressure—a skill that would define her future career. With over 35 years in information security and compliance, Herold has established herself as a sought-after expert witness specializi...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States