EXPERT WITNESS TRIAL PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Case Information

Case Caption: [________________________________]

Case Number: [________________________________]

Court: [________________________________]

Trial Date: [__/__/____]

Expected Testimony Date: [__/__/____]

Presiding Judge: [________________________________]

Expert Information

Expert Name: [________________________________]

Field of Expertise: [________________________________]

Retaining Attorney: [________________________________]

Contact Information:
- Phone: [________________________________]
- Email: [________________________________]

I. Pre-Trial Preparation (30+ Days Before Trial)

A. Expert Report Review

☐ Review original expert report for accuracy
☐ Review any supplemental or rebuttal reports
☐ Verify all opinions are still supported by current data
☐ Confirm methodology remains valid and current
☐ Check for any updates in field that may affect opinions
☐ Ensure all exhibits referenced are available and accurate

Review Completed: [__/__/____]
Notes: [________________________________]

B. Discovery Review

☐ Review expert's deposition transcript thoroughly
☐ Identify any testimony that needs clarification
☐ Review opposing expert's report(s)
☐ Review opposing expert's deposition transcript
☐ Review key fact witness depositions
☐ Review relevant interrogatory answers
☐ Review relevant document production

Documents Reviewed:
| Document | Date Reviewed | Notes |
|----------|--------------|-------|
| [________________] | [__/__/____] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [__/__/____] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [__/__/____] | [________________] |

C. Case Law and Legal Standards Review

☐ Review applicable admissibility standard (Daubert/Frye/hybrid)
☐ Review any motions in limine regarding expert testimony
☐ Review court's ruling on Daubert/Frye motions (if any)
☐ Understand burden of proof applicable to expert opinions
☐ Review Rule 702 requirements (as amended December 2023)
☐ Understand any limitations on testimony ordered by court

Applicable Standard: ☐ Daubert ☐ Frye ☐ State-specific: [________________]

Court Rulings on Expert Testimony:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

II. Expert Preparation Sessions

A. Initial Preparation Session

Date Scheduled: [__/__/____]
Location: [________________________________]
Duration: [____] hours

Topics to Cover:

☐ Overview of trial process and courtroom procedures
☐ Explanation of expert's role at trial
☐ Review of case theory and themes
☐ Review of direct examination questions
☐ Review of anticipated cross-examination topics
☐ Discussion of opposing expert's opinions
☐ Review of demonstrative exhibits

Session Completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Notes: [________________________________]

B. Follow-Up Preparation Sessions

Session 2 Date: [__/__/____]
Topics: [________________________________]
Completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Session 3 Date: [__/__/____]
Topics: [________________________________]
Completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No

C. Final Preparation Session (Day Before or Morning of Testimony)

Date: [__/__/____]
Location: [________________________________]

☐ Update expert on trial developments
☐ Review any changes to direct examination
☐ Address new issues raised during trial
☐ Final review of exhibits and demonstratives
☐ Discuss logistics (arrival time, courtroom location, etc.)

III. Direct Examination Preparation

A. Qualification Phase (Voir Dire)

☐ Prepare streamlined CV presentation
☐ Highlight qualifications most relevant to case
☐ Prepare responses for anticipated challenges to qualifications
☐ Practice professional demeanor during qualification

Key Qualifications to Emphasize:
| Qualification | Relevance to Case |
|--------------|-------------------|
| [________________] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [________________] |

B. Opinion Testimony

☐ Prepare clear, jargon-free explanations of opinions
☐ Develop analogies for complex concepts
☐ Organize opinions in logical sequence
☐ Prepare foundation for each opinion
☐ Link opinions to case facts

Key Opinions in Order of Presentation:
1. [________________________________]
2. [________________________________]
3. [________________________________]
4. [________________________________]
5. [________________________________]

C. Demonstrative Exhibits

☐ Review all demonstrative exhibits with expert
☐ Practice using technology (PowerPoint, iPad, etc.)
☐ Test equipment in actual courtroom (if possible)
☐ Prepare backup plan for technology failures
☐ Ensure exhibits are pre-marked and admitted (if required)

Demonstrative Exhibits:
| Exhibit | Description | Status |
|---------|-------------|--------|
| [____] | [________________] | ☐ Prepared ☐ Tested ☐ Admitted |
| [____] | [________________] | ☐ Prepared ☐ Tested ☐ Admitted |
| [____] | [________________] | ☐ Prepared ☐ Tested ☐ Admitted |

IV. Cross-Examination Preparation

A. Anticipated Areas of Attack

☐ Bias (financial, party relationship, repeat engagements)
☐ Qualifications gaps
☐ Methodology weaknesses
☐ Data sufficiency
☐ Prior inconsistent testimony
☐ Concessions to opposing positions
☐ Alternative conclusions
☐ Treatise impeachment

Specific Areas of Concern:
| Issue | Prepared Response |
|-------|-------------------|
| [________________] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [________________] |
| [________________] | [________________] |

B. Prior Testimony Review

☐ Review all prior testimony in this case
☐ Review testimony from prior cases (if available to opposition)
☐ Identify potential inconsistencies
☐ Prepare explanations for apparent inconsistencies

Prior Testimony Issues:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Publications and Statements

☐ Review expert's publications that may be used
☐ Identify statements that may appear contradictory
☐ Prepare context/explanation for any problematic statements
☐ Review authoritative texts in field that may be used

V. Testimony Guidelines for Expert

A. Communication Best Practices

☐ Speak to the jury, not the attorney
☐ Use plain language; avoid jargon
☐ Maintain appropriate pace (pause before answering)
☐ Be confident but not arrogant
☐ Acknowledge uncertainty when appropriate
☐ Admit limitations of opinions when reasonable
☐ Never argue with cross-examining counsel

B. Demeanor and Presentation

☐ Maintain professional attire
☐ Arrive early and composed
☐ Make appropriate eye contact with jury
☐ Use open body language
☐ Control emotional responses
☐ Stay calm under aggressive questioning

C. Specific Testimony Tips

☐ Listen carefully to each question before answering
☐ Answer only the question asked
☐ Do not volunteer additional information
☐ Request clarification if question is unclear
☐ Take time to review documents before commenting
☐ Correct mistakes immediately when recognized
☐ Ask for breaks if needed

VI. Logistics Checklist

A. Schedule Coordination

Expert Availability:
- Available dates: [________________________________]
- Unavailable dates: [________________________________]
- Estimated testimony duration: [____] hours

Court Schedule:
- Court hours: [________________________________]
- Lunch break: [________________________________]
- Other breaks: [________________________________]

B. Travel and Accommodations

☐ Flight/travel arrangements confirmed
☐ Hotel reservations confirmed
☐ Ground transportation arranged
☐ Per diem/expense arrangements confirmed

Travel Details:
- Arrival date/time: [__/__/____] at [____]
- Hotel: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]

C. Materials to Bring to Court

☐ Copy of expert report(s)
☐ CV/resume
☐ File materials (as needed)
☐ Demonstrative exhibits
☐ Laptop/tablet (if using)
☐ Backup materials on flash drive
☐ Reference materials (if needed)
☐ Business cards

Do NOT Bring:
☐ Draft reports
☐ Attorney communications
☐ Fee agreements (unless specifically needed)
☐ Other case files

VII. Technology Preparation

A. Courtroom Technology

☐ Confirm available courtroom technology
☐ ELMO/document camera
☐ Projection screen
☐ Computer hookup
☐ Internet access (if needed)

☐ Test all technology before testimony
☐ Bring necessary adapters and cables
☐ Have backup presentation method ready

B. Expert's Technology

☐ Laptop fully charged
☐ Presentation software installed and tested
☐ All files accessible and organized
☐ Backup copies on flash drive
☐ Remote/pointer available (if using)

VIII. Post-Direct/Pre-Cross Preparation

A. During Trial Breaks

☐ Do not discuss testimony in public areas
☐ Review notes for upcoming cross-examination
☐ Address any concerns with attorney
☐ Stay hydrated and take necessary breaks
☐ Remain in designated waiting area

B. If Testimony Spans Multiple Days

☐ Do not discuss testimony with anyone except counsel
☐ Do not review additional materials unless directed
☐ Maintain professional demeanor outside courtroom
☐ Arrive early each day
☐ Review prior day's testimony if available

IX. Compensation and Administrative

A. Fee Arrangements

☐ Written fee agreement in place
☐ Hourly rate confirmed: $[________]/hour
☐ Travel time rate confirmed: $[________]/hour
☐ Testimony rate (if different): $[________]/hour
☐ Retainer/deposit received
☐ Billing schedule confirmed

B. Invoicing

☐ Time records current
☐ Invoice submitted for preparation time
☐ Invoice for testimony time (post-trial)
☐ Expense reimbursement submitted

X. Emergency Contacts

Retaining Attorney:
- Cell: [________________________________]
- Office: [________________________________]

Paralegal/Legal Assistant:
- Name: [________________________________]
- Cell: [________________________________]

Courtroom Contact:
- Clerk: [________________________________]
- Phone: [________________________________]

Expert's Emergency Contact:
- Name: [________________________________]
- Phone: [________________________________]

XI. Final Pre-Testimony Checklist

Day Before Testimony

☐ Final preparation session completed
☐ All materials organized and ready
☐ Clothing selected and prepared
☐ Travel/logistics confirmed
☐ Get adequate rest
☐ Alarm set for appropriate time

Morning of Testimony

☐ Review key opinions briefly
☐ Eat appropriately
☐ Arrive at courthouse early ([____] minutes before)
☐ Check in with attorney
☐ Visit restroom before taking stand
☐ Silence cell phone
☐ Review courtroom layout

XII. Notes and Observations

Trial Updates Affecting Expert Testimony

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Post-Testimony Debrief Notes

Date of Testimony: [__/__/____]
Duration: [____] hours

What Went Well:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Areas for Improvement:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Follow-Up Required:
☐ Additional testimony needed
☐ Supplemental report needed
☐ No further action required

Sources and References

• Expert Institute: Preparing Your Expert Witness for Trial - https://www.expertinstitute.com/resources/insights/preparing-expert-witness-trial-testimony/
• American Bar Association: Tips from the Bench on Expert Witnesses - https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/expert-witnesses/
• Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 702 - https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_702

REMINDER: Trial preparation sessions should be scheduled separate from the testimony date. The 24 hours before testimony should focus on final review and rest, not intensive preparation. Technology should be tested in the actual courtroom when possible.