• Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Providing Effective Litigation Services (Part 4 of 4)

    Practice techniques used to serve as an effective expert witness In this final part of Mark Shirley’s litigation services series, the focus turns to practical tips for new and experienced expert witnesses. These include what to consider before engaging, how to organize the file, the need to understand the vernacular and preparation, as well as the need to understand the discovery process. Impressions are also shared with respect to the use and advantages of visual aids, and how to conduct direct and cross-examination testimony.

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickPress

    Florida Adopts Daubert

    On June 4, 2013, Florida Governor, Rick Scott signed HB 7015, joining the Federal Courts and other jurisdictions in adopting the Daubert test for admission of expert testimony. Just weeks ago, Florida followed the Frye Standard which allowed experts to testify if their expertise was “generally accepted” in the field in which it belongs. Many had felt that is allowed “phony science” or strange testimony from so-called “experts to be permitted. It also limited a judge’s ability to act as a gatekeeper to exclude unqualified experts. It may have taken 20 years, but since July 1st, testimony in Florida courts…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Featured

    The Latest Word on ESOPs: What We All Need to Know

    Has the new federal tax regime set forth the grounds to reconsider an ESOP? An ESOP is a qualified retirement plan that can use debt financing to buy company stock from the company’s owner(s). It’s a serious option for any business owner who wants to liquidate some or all of his or her ownership. Martin Staubus reviews how ESOPs work, as well as the benefits they provide to buyers (employees) and sellers (owners).

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Providing Effective Litigation Services (Part 3 of 4)

    An overview of the Federal Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and leading pre- and post-Daubert cases In this third part of a four-part series, the focus turns to the rules of evidence and standards used to admit the testimony of expert witnesses. While a minority of jurisdictions follows the Frye standard, the majority has adopted the Daubert standard. Objective testimony is critical, which means the expert must not merely accept representations from the client.