Litigation for Experts: The Role Experts Play in the Litigation Process

Mr. Kirker and Mr. Contreras will provide detailed information on the stages of litigation, and how expert opinion fits into that process. Experts are needed throughout the entire litigation process, from pre-litigation investigations all the way through trial. Experts performing failure analysis for litigation need to understand each element of the litigation process, and to understand what the needs are from experts at each stage. The presentation will provide that understanding via information and examples. As part of the presentation, Mr. Kirker and Mr. Contreras will discuss attorney and expert communications in emails, phone calls, reports, depositions and trial. If an expert is not effective at each phase of litigation, it could be detrimental to their client and their reputation. The takeaways from the presentation will assist experts with understanding the litigation process, and how they “assist the trier of fact”. The presentation will focus on US litigation, but will also include comparative discussion regarding the litigation process and expert usage in Canada.