So Why Would You Want To Become An Expert Witness

After all, the work can be very tedious and demanding. It can require the expenditure of long hours for two, three, or even four weeks at a time.


You will be under extreme pressure to meet deadlines from retaining counsel—and opposing counsel will look for, and seize upon, every opportunity to attack your credibility. While you are being deposed by opposing counsel, everything you have ever done will seemingly become fair game.
Your opinions will be questioned. Opposing counsel will attempt to pick you apart. Attorneys may even belittle you on the witness stand. Throughout it all, you will have to remain calm, composed, and professional.


The answer lies within each individual.

•  You may have years of extensive experience in a particular field.
• You may have extensive education in a particular field or industry.
• You may be looking for additional income.
• You may be looking to retire, and seeking to put your experience to good use.
• You may enjoy the excitement of helping to determine, and even alter the course of people's lives.
• You may finf it satisfying to affect the award and distribution of large sums of money.
• You may relish the challenge of proving, or disproving best practices or industry standards in your field of expertise.
• You may want to help ensure that justice is served.
• Or you may simply enjoy the change to make a difference.

• Whatever your qualifying reason, working as an expert witness can be extremely rewarding—both financially and mentally.
  
  While I am unaware of published data about expert witness fees (experts are sometimes reluctant to publish their annual income), I know that fees can range from $50.00 to $800.00 per hour, or more, depending on their field of expertise. A successful expert can earn $100,000.00 per year, or more.
  In fact, a highly sought-after expert in his or her field can almost name their fee. After all, when the retaining counsel has a case where millions of dollars are at stake, winning the case takes precedence over any concerns about the expert’s fee.One reason for the good earning potential: Expert witness practices have relatively low overhead requirements. In terms of equipment, you will need a good computer with data backup system, color scanner, internet connection, website (preferably professionally built), phone, pencils, pens, pads, paper clips, and other stationery supplies.
  
  That’s about it. You won’t need to incur office expenses; you can work out of your home.On those occasions when you are required to travel out of town or out of state, travel expenses related to hotels, airfare, and rental cars are paid either by retaining counsel or opposing counsel.
  
  Very few other businesses offer such a low overhead with such a potentially lucrative return. Expert witness work is a growing occupation. It has been said, “The cost may be high to employ the expert, but it may well be higher not to employ one. Indeed, counsel who chooses to proceed without an expert may be flirting with malpractice.” (Melvin Belli Sr., Trial Magazine)

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