Carlton Fields’ Expert Team closely monitors and analyzes decisions on expert witness issues, and disseminates pertinent and timely information across the firm. Our attorneys are knowledgeable on expert witness issues, including admissibility and challenges to expert testimony under federal and state law.
The Team assembles information on topics relating to expert witnesses, including:
- the process for engaging experts
- the admissibility of different types of expert opinions
- challenges to expert opinions under state and federal law
- the discoverability of expert working papers, resources, drafts
The Team conducts hands-on education programs for the firm’s trial lawyers on topics such as examination and defense of expert witnesses, and regularly circulates firmwide alerts with the latest information on expert witness issues.
The Team, headed by Steven Dupré, an experienced commercial and tort litigator, includes lawyers experienced in all areas of the firm’s extensive litigation practice.
Other work of the Expert Team includes:
- Developing a comprehensive checklist of issues to be considered and resolved in retaining expert witnesses
- Assembling a bank of transcripts of the testimony of expert witnesses
- Assembling a bank of briefs and motions on recurring issues regarding expert witness testimony
By compiling this information we are able to streamline the litigation preparation processes and save time for our attorneys and legal fees for our clients.
Collaborative Approach
Carlton Fields litigation support teams also include:
Authorities on the Subject of Expert Witnesses
Our attorneys regularly speak and write on topics relating to expert witnesses. Representative articles include:
- Kelly Bittick, “Out of the Frye-ing Pan? The Florida Supreme Court Limits Challenges to Medical Causation Testimony,” 27 No. 2 Trial Advocate Quarterly 8 (2008).
- Neil Kodsi, “Confronting Experts Whose Opinions Are Neither Supported nor Directly Contradicted by Scientific Literature,” Trial Lawyers Forum, The Florida Bar Journal (June 2006).
- Rick Gross, “Fifty State Survey of the Standards Governing the Admissibility of Expert Scientific Evidence,” Commercial & Business Litigation Committee Newsletter, American Bar Association (August 2003); Committee on Trial Evidence Newsletter, American Bar Association (Spring 2004).
Attorneys have also acted as moderators and panelists at seminars and presentations on the topic of expert witnesses. Presentations by Carlton Fields attorneys include:
- Rick Gross, "Expert Witnesses from A to Z – How to Choose Them and Use Them," ABA Section of Litigation Annual Conference (2009).
- Patricia Thompson, "Deposing Expert Witnesses and Plaintiffs,” Florida Defense Lawyers Association and the Dade County Defense Bar Association (February 2009).
- Suzie Elinger, "Building a Broad Foundation: Hiring Medical Experts for Mass Tort Litigation,” The American Association of Nurse Attorneys 27th Annual Meeting and Educational Conference (October 23 - 24, 2008).
- Walter Bush, "Expert Witness Testimony in Georgia After 2005 Tort Reform,” 24th Annual Insurance Law Institute, Georgia CLE (September 24, 2005).
Attorney to Contact for Additional Information
Steven Dupré
Email:
Phone: 727.824.0017