1) Expert Witness Directories – Most expert witness directories are free to search. The experts pay to be listed in the Directory, and the Directory makes the experts’ information available to the public. Some Directories are online, some are printed, and some are available both online and in print.
2) Expert Witness Referral Agencies – Expert referral agencies typically charge the attorneys who are looking to hire the experts, usually by marking up the experts’ hourly fee. Most often, there are no fees for the experts to list themselves with the referral agencies. Nice resources if you are looking for a very obscure or hard to find expert witness.
3) Web searches – Google etc. – Most experts now have their own web pages. However, because experts should be cautious about the material they post on their websites, sometimes it is difficult for them to obtain high rankings on the search engines and therefore more difficult for attorneys to come across them.
4) University Professors – An underutilized resource to find professionals who you may use as an expert. Professors often have a well polished teaching style about them, which comes across well in court.
5) Word of Mouth - Referrals from colleagues. A great way to get the “real scoop” on how the expert prepared, preformed, etc. If a colleague had a poor experience with a particular expert, they are usually not afraid to let you know about it.
Attributes that Counsel is Looking for in an Expert Witness:
- The Expert Must Be Qualified to Testify and Withstand a Daubert Hearing.
- The Expert Must Possess Integrity and Credibility.
- The Expert Must Be Reasonably Available.
- The Expert Must Be Willing and Able to Properly Prepare.
- The Expert Must Be Articulate.
- The Expert Should Be Likeable and Personable.
- The Expert Must Be Able to Think on Their Feet.
- The Expert Should Want to Work With Attorneys.
- The Expert Needs to Be Able to Roll With the Punches.
