by Sterling Anthony, CPP, expert witness, packaging, warnings, patent infringement, cargo loading & securement, insurance claims
An attorney and packaging expert have their initial conversation. Common sense allows certain motives to be ascribed to the parties: the attorney wants to know whether the expert deserves further consideration; and, the expert wants to know whether to seek further consideration. Those motives are interdependent, but herein are discussed from the perspective of the expert.
After the attorney has identified himself/herself and before the conversation begins in earnest, the expert should ask how the attorney learned of him/her. The attorney doesn’t always volunteer the information, though not intentionally. If the expert advertises, it’s good business basics to know what’s working.
The expert should want only enough details to determine whether the case is within his/her bailiwick. Beyond that, the expert runs the risk of being conflicted out of the case, should the expert not be retained by the attorney but opposing counsel calls. Another risk is that the more details supplied, the more the unspoken expectation of a response from the expert. It is not the expert’s obligation, at this juncture, to opine on the merits of the case. There’s time for that after the expert has been retained.
The expert should be cordial and considerate. The expert can be both without being reluctant to steer the conversation, as needed; for example, as soon as the expert has sufficient details, the attorney should be informed, “Yes, Counselor, I’m qualified to serve as your expert;” or, “Thank you, Counselor, but I’m not the expert for you.” If it’s the former, the expert should provide a concise narrative on qualifications, highlighting those aspects relevant to the case. Then, the expert should offer to send pertinent information——curriculum vitae, fee schedule, references, and whatever else the attorney might reasonably request.
If all of the heretofore advice is followed, the result will be a relatively short and to-the-point conversation. That’s a good thing. The phone call is business, not social. Both parties are assumed to have various demands on their time; therefore, there’s a need for effectiveness and efficiency. No matter how short the call, the expert, unavoidably, beyond questions and answers, conveys much for the attorney’s consideration. There’s the expert’s command of language and ease-of-expression. Whether the delivery is halting, professorial, stilted, fluid, or otherwise, the attorney is justified in regarding it as indication of what it would be like to work with that expert in the important realm of communications. It’s equally justifiable to regard delivery as indication of how the expert would come across in a deposition and in court.
If, at the conclusion of the conversation, there’s something further to pursue, the expert’s motto should be, promptness. Whatever has been promised should be fulfilled with dispatch; otherwise, the expert gives the impression of being less than reliable.
It’s rare that an attorney will think, “You had me at, Hello.” That fact notwithstanding, for the expert, the initial conversation is a unique opportunity, in that, if not handled competently, no other opportunities will be forthcoming——at least, not from that attorney.
Sterling Anthony, CPP, is a consultant to the industrial, institutional, and government sectors and an expert to the legal community. He is a former manager at Fortune 100 companies and a former instructor at two major universities. His contact information is: 100 Renaissance Center-Box 43176, Detroit, MI 48243; (office) 313-531-1875; (cell) 313-623-0522; (fax) 313-531-1972; thepackagingexpertwitness@gmail; www.thepackagingexpertwitness.com