Speaker Spotlight: Doug Perovic
Our Expert Witness Forum West Legal Conference Producer, Mark Montpetit, and friend of CI, Doug Perovic, Professor and Celestica Chair in Materials for Microelectronics University of Toronto to chat about his keynote presentation on Successfully Neutralizing Your Cross-Examiner: How Well Planned Expert Testimony Can Win a Difficult Case. Doug will be speaking on Wednesday, May 31 at 1:30 p.m.
A Conversation with Doug Perovic
Kathy Sinclair, BASc, MASc, PhD (Toronto), FAAAS, FCAE, PEng
Professor, Celestica Chair in Materials for Microelectronics University of Toronto
Co-Director Ontario Centre for the Characterization of Advanced Materials
Mark Montpetit, CI Conference Producer: What are you planning to discuss at your Keynote Presentation at the Expert Witness Forum West?
Doug Perovic: The presentation will cover three aspects that demonstrate effective cross-examination strategies for the expert witness: preparation tools and techniques, recognizing and navigating opposing counsel cross-examination tactics and case study examples of successful expert testimony.
Montpetit: Why is it so important for Expert Witnesses to properly prepare before taking the Witness Stand? Doesn’t the uneven playing field in the first place make it that much more important?
Preparation is critical for avoiding one or more of the common pitfalls that can neutralize an expert witness and/or the weight of their testimony including: disqualification or limitation of the expert’s opinions, perceived bias, cross-examination questioning strategies/tactics that weaken a good expert report, lack of confidence and loss of composure.
Montpetit: Can you provide a few examples of successful strategies and tactics to neutralize your examiner?
Perovic: Several examples of successful strategies and tactics will be demonstrated through case studies including:
- effective analogies that shed new light for the judge/jury
- recognizing the difference between leading and non-leading questioning
- controlling the pace of the examination
- techniques for expanding beyond “just yes or no please” answers
- establishing an effective demeanor that can’t be pushed off course.