Customer Reviews

Expert Witness Handbook (2e, CL

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a frustrating book. On the one hand, there is some decent information here. However, it is very clear that the author did not spend much time thinking about how to communicate that information. This really just feels like a first pass outline/data dump which then should have been revised, edited and revised again. I will list a few of the problems below, but this is not a complete list.
First, the overall structure just seems to ramble along without a real plan of building from one section to the next.
Second, within sections it seems like topics just change in the middle of the section. I found myself reading some sections two or three times trying to figure out what connecting theme I was missing. I finally asked others to look at some of these sections (without any other prompting) and found that they could not figure out what was going on either.
Third, information is often repetitive across sections. A point will be covered once and then later covered again without any reference to the prior discussion and without any further insights.
Fourth, paragraphs are sometimes repeated almost verbatim. For example, a paragraph may occur at the beginning of a section and then again near the end with almost no change. My guess is that the author was moving things around in a quick edit and/or tossing it down either place it could work with the idea of returning to it later.
Fifth, the book uses bold faced paraphrases or quotes from other sources at the bottom of each page. I guess these are a clever way to show others have a similar view without really needing to work it smoothly into the text. However, they often are redundant (in the first chapter one page has a quote saying going to trial without an expert is on the edge of malpractice, two pages later there is a similar comment that says it is malpractice - both are from the same magazine). Worse, the references provided in no way allow a reader to go find the source and look at it for themselves. For example, if a magazine is cited there is neither date given nor a title of the article. It might have been quick, but it was not the most useful for readers.

Moving away from the specifics, I guess this shows how the author could write "over 100 books" as it says in his bio. I did find it strange that he kept stressing how careful we need to be in writing reports, yet he did such a sloppy job here.

To be fair (and why it got two stars instead of one) there is some useful information in here if you are willing to skim through and not get hung up on the flow. In the end, this is probably one or two decent articles of information if it was put together well, not a whole book. Of course, this is also cheaper than a lot of the other "comprehensive" books on being an expert witness.

Would I buy it again? No, but I would check it out of the library to take a quick look.

Becoming a specialist in one's field is a typical goal when questioning one of his/her aspirations. In many cases, you'll receive the answer, "...to become the best." (Love those willing to lay it all out!) If one's goal is to be a specialist, one must adhere to a few simple principals, principals composing vigilant and unending education. This individual will be current, well read, and extremely competent (in significantly most cases) in their chosen field. Many would call this individual an "expert" in his/her particular field. An accurate characterization indeed yet still green where the legal community is concerned. Capitalizing on this expertise is the mantra of Dan Poynter's, THE EXPERT WITNESS HANDBOOK.

Many "experts" have no interest in utilizing their knowledge in a legal setting. Frankly, at times, I don't blame them. However, being an expert in a particular field has its limitations relative to continuing challenges. Thus, many experts seek new, invigorating challenges. Those who have chosen to become testifying expert witnesses have most likely found the invigoration sought for displaying your knowledge in a courtroom is one of the greatest tests of that knowledgebase and your ability to articulate it. A daunting combination to be sure yet incredibly satisfying. I've been providing expert consulting and expert testimony services for close to ten years now. To say it is still a challenge and one that moves my adrenals into high gear is an understatement. However, it is one of the great highs relative to intellectual discourse and can be extremely financially rewarding.

THE EXPERT WITNESS HANDBOOK is the bridge between being an expert in one's field and displaying that expertise in a court of law. Dan Poynter has provided those interested in taking this bold step with a basic set of guidelines and recommendations relative to turning one's knowledge into a new (part-time or, in some cases, full-time) career path. In the first chapter, "What is an Expert Witness?" Mr. Poynter identifies what an expert witness does and why. However, this chapter's high point is the answers to his question, Why would anyone want to be an expert witness? Mr. Poynter goes on to answer these in fine detail; I'll just provide the base answer. In order: 1) To capitalize on your years of education and experience; 2) To get into the action (See! This is what expert thrive on.); 3) To put something back into the system; 4) To be hired to study (nirvana for life students); and 5) To make money.

From the first chapter forward, Mr. Poynter lays out a relatively clean chronology of the steps necessary for a "specialist" to become an "expert." Although every chapter will be important and vital to the neophyte expert, there are several chapters I would like to highlight as being germane and crucial to the seasoned expert as well. Chapter 7, "Maintaining Competence," is an almost laconic albeit important chapter advising the expert to continue to learn. For those who are eternal students, this will not be an issue. However, as a friendly warning, if one jumps into the expert arena and feels as though "I've made it," disaster looms for laws relative to experts change constantly as do the standards and landscape of one's field of expertise. Take this chapter to heart.

Probably the most important chapter and one ALL experts can refer to in the future is Chapter 11, "The Trial," although Chapter 10, "The Deposition" runs a very close second. In "The Trial," Mr. Poynter takes 50 pages of this 231-page book to describe the process and provide poignant Q&A between an expert and attorney on direct examination and the dreaded cross-examination. Mr. Poynter provides an excellent description of the process, the requisite preparation, and the actual flow of one's testimony. Before and after each Q&A, he espouses his opinion and advice to the reader, advice to be well heeded in most instances.

Overall, this is an excellent treatise on entering the expert witness arena. One area, in my opinion, Mr. Poynter did not cover in sufficient detail was the need for the aspiring expert to understand various points of case law relative to each expert specifically, the Daubert decision and its progeny. Although the intent of Mr. Poynter's book most likely was describe in sufficient detail the steps one must take to become a competent expert, the Daubert decision (and its progeny) are tantamount to any expert's acceptance in a court of law. Regardless, Mr. Poynter has written a very solid book and one I would recommend highly.

The Expert Witness Handbook covers a lot of ground, from selecting the expert and impeaching opposing experts, to being deposed and giving trial testimony. The author is evidently well versed and very experienced in being an expert, and his opinions and anecdotes are laced through the book. This is both the strength and weakness of the book - the author's expertise in parachute accidents shows, but it also limits the overall usefulness. The repetition and poor grammar are more annoying. Because this book was published by the author, the lack of editing may be somewhat anticipated. Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it useful, but a good editor could have tightened it up a lot.

This is expert writing on being an expert witness. I skipped around but read the whole book and highly recommend that you do, too. It might be tempting to skip a chapter or two, depending on your needs, but reconsider and read them all. This was very helpful in many areas of expert witness, both research and testifying.

Great insight into the expert witness business. Easy to read and gets right down to the subject at hand. The consultant agreement in the book is worth the price of the book. There are no wasted pages.

Richard Graves
Ft. Lauderdale

This book is ideal for anyone wishing to become an expert witness who also needs a better understanding of the litigation process. It will be a useful resource for many years.The Expert Witness Handbook, Revised 3rd Edition: Tips and Techniques for the Litigation Consultant

I found this book to be informative and easy to read. It covered all aspects of an expert witness practice from how to get started to securing work to billing and collecting for your services. I will use it as an resource tool for many years to come.

While no book can substitute for experience, this is the best prep book I've found on the topic. A courtroom is a high pressure environment with attorneys and lying experts slinging mud and trying to discredit you. Good cross-training would be kickboxing and speaker training at toastmasters : )

Dan Poynter's book, "The Expert Witness Handbook" tends to be a very practical, useful book for prepping experts across fields to provide expert testimony in a concise, logical, authoritative manner. This isn't the best book specifically for mental health practitioners, but, it makes numerous invaluable points. I think that it is well worth the time and money. A.

Dan Poynter's "Expert Witness Handbook" is a terrific resource, especially for the newbie expert who is trying to break into the business of litigation support and expert witnessing. He leads the reader through all phases of the craft - ranging from marketing and promotion to pointers on testifying.

Seasoned expert witnesses may find this pabulum, but for the majority of expert witnesses it will serve as a very useful tool in launching and building an expert witness practice!