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An expert’s value ultimately depends on his or her ability to excel when testifying. Testifying Skills Workshop is a hands-on interactive program which has been designed to show experts exactly what to do, and what not to do when testifying. It features concise didactic presentations combined with numerous mock trial and deposition demonstrations using volunteer attendees. Each demonstration is critiqued by the faculty, who point our where the expert was most effective and where improvement is most needed.  The fact patterns, CVs, difficult questions, and reports used in the demonstrations will be submitted in advance by attendees. There will be ample time for questions and answers.  Experts will also learn how to maintain high ethical standards, premium fee setting, billing, and collection techniques and how to successfully and professionally market themselves.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this seminar you will be able to:

• Connect with and persuade the jury

• Update and improve your fee settings and collections procedures

• Understand counsel’s trick questions and trial tactics and how to defeat them

• Be confident and effective during cross-examination

• Better market yourself

• Understand how optimum deposition testimony techniques differ from those which should be used at trial

• Be more ethical and be a more credible witness

• Understand how to better defend your reports and qualifications under cross examination

• Be a better and more successful expert witness

• Answer difficult questions artfully

Steven Babitsky, Esquire, is the President of SEAK, Inc. Mr. Babitsky trains hundreds of experts every year. He was a personal injury trial attorney for twenty years and is the former managing partner of the firm Kistin, Babitsky, Latimer & Beitman. Mr. Babitsky is the co-author of the texts Writing and Defending your Expert Report:  The Step-by-Step Guide With Models, How to Excel During Cross-Examinations: Techniques for Experts That Work, The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual: The Essential Resources for All Experts, and How to Excel During Depositons: Techniques for Experts That Works. Attorney Babitsky is the co-developer and trainer for the "Testifying Skills Workshop" seminar, the seminar leader for the National Expert Witness and Litigation Seminar, and the scriptwriter for the videos "How to Be an Effective Medical Witness" and "The Expert Deposition: How to Be an Effective and Ethical Witness."

James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esquire, has trained hundreds of expert witnesses across the United States and Canada.  He is a former trial lawyer with experience in defense and plaintiff personal injury law and insurance law.  He currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel of SEAK, Inc.  Mr. Mangraviti received his BA degree in mathematics summa cum laude from Boston College and his JD degree cum laude from Boston College Law School.  His publications include the texts SEAK Law School for Physicians, Law School for the Safety and Health Professional, The Independent Medical Examination Report: A Step-by-Step Guide With Models, Writing and Defending your Expert Report: The Step-by-Step Guide With Models, The Successful Physician Negotiator: How to Get What You Deserve, How to Excel During Cross-Examination: Techniques for Experts That Work, How to Excel During Depositions: Techniques for Experts That Work, and The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual: The Essential Resources for All Experts.

For FCAOC Members who register before February 28th, the tuition is $345.  For Members registering after the 28th, tuition is $395.   For Non-Members who register before February 28th, the tuition is $445.  For Non-Members registering after the 28th, tuition is $495. The tuition includes continental breakfast, breaks, lunch, detailed seminar manual, and a unique and practical hands-on learning experience. We expect this seminar to sell out early.

Seminar Venue:
Hyatt Newporter Hotel
1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA

How to register:

Register directly with the FCAOC.

Phone (949) 640-9903
Fax (949) 640-9911

Or print this page and mail it to 

FCAOC Executive Director
2402 Vista Nobleza
Newport Beach, CA  92660

Thursday, March 13, 2003

Bulletproofing Your C.V.

Attendees will learn how counsel will attempt to challenge their qualifications during cross-examinations. Artful responses that meet these challenges will be suggested. Volunteer attendees will be cross-examined on their pre-submitted CVs. Cross Examination Demonstrations.

How to Bulletproof Your Report

Attendees will learn how experienced counsel will attempt to pick apart their expert report. Advanced techniques to blunt counsel’s pointed questions will be provided and demonstrated. Volunteer attendees will be cross-examined on their pre-submitted reports. Cross Examination Demonstrations.

Attendees will learn the special techniques which should be used when testifying at transcribed and videotaped deposition. Included is an explanation of what questions experts are likely to be asked at deposition, why they are likely to be asked those questions, the rules the attorneys must play by at deposition, and how the expert deposition fits into both side’s case. Deposition Demonstrations.

Attendees will learn how to maintain their integrity and credibility while participating in an adversarial judicial system.  The solutions to common ethical problems will be discussed.

Attendees will learn how to appropriately set their rate, what expenses to charge for, how to protect themselves from last-minute cancellations and how to insure that their time is paid for in full and on time.

Attendees will learn how to best connect with and persuade a jury. Techniques explained and demonstrated include, speaking in laymen’s terms, acting as a "teacher", using proper body language and demeanor, and how and when to use demonstrative evidence. Direct Examination Demonstrations.

Cross Examination: Bending But Not Breaking

Attendees will learn how to stand up to even the most withering of cross-examinations. Faculty will explain the goals of counsel during cross-examination and the trick questions and trial tactics that are commonly used. Techniques for deflecting counsel’s attacks and excelling during cross examination will be provided. Cross Examination Demonstrations.

Marketing Your Services in a Professional, Dignified Manner

Attendees will learn how to promote their availability for litigation support assignments utilizing proven techniques.

Trick and Difficult Questions

Attendees will identify the most difficult questions they can expect to encounter during cross-examination. Truthful and artful replies to these questions will be discussed and demonstrated. Cross Examination Demonstration.