Computer and Software Expert Witness Services
Our Services
Fair Opinion Expert Witness Services provides expert witness and consulting expert services in the field of information technology and computer software. We carefully select the cases we support, only engaging where we can provide a genuinely expert opinion. This means declining more cases than are accepted, but that is what is required to ensure that clients are always provided the quality of support they deserve. Working together we will determine whether our expertise matches the needs of the case and will refer you elsewhere if we are not convinced that Fair Opinion can provide the expert services you require.Your choices when selecting an Expert Witness in the field of Computer Software
You understand that selecting the right expert witness is central to your strategy for litigating a case. When you select the right expert witness they simplify complex technical issues. The credibility of their explanations further convince a jury of the strength of your case. But select the wrong expert and you risk wasting time and energy as you struggle to get a coherent expert report produced. Or worse, you are faced with unpredictable behavior as your expert witness seeks to advance their own legal theories of the case. There are three major categories of expert witness from which you can choose.Many expert witnesses make their primary income providing expert testimony -- the Career Expert Witness. These experts are experienced in developing a professional report, managing discussions in a deposition, and handling the tactics of opposing counsel in the court room. Selecting the career expert witness can however carry risks. They may be far removed from the practical, business oriented use of the disciplines in which they have expertise. They can also carry preconceived ideas from prior cases which then influence their thinking about your case. A particular concern is the risk that, in an attempt to reduce the effort to develop their expert report, they will reuse prior work. This can lead them to present their findings in a way not best suited to the case at hand.
Also widely used is the Academic Expert Witness. An academic expert will typically have impeccable credentials: advanced degrees and a doctorate, published articles, author of text books and may even hold a variety of honor awards. Their academic background prepares them well to develop well-reasoned and professional expert testimony firmly grounded in the scientific method. Those academics who are effective teachers may also have the experience to explain complex technical concepts to a jury. There are many academics, however, whose experience has rarely extended beyond the walls of academia and their views remain too theoretical. While they may provide some consulting services to industry, their personal experience at large scale in a business setting can be quite limited.
A third option is to select an Expert Practitioner. The expert practitioner carries the credibility that comes from years of practical experience in a commercial setting. This results in a pragmatic view of their discipline that remains up to date and in line with current industry practices. They may not match up to some of the academic credentials of the academic expert witness, nor match the courtroom experience of the career expert witness, but they can be a better choice based on the credibility that comes from real world experience.
Matching the type of expert with the needs of your case is an important first step. If you conclude that an Expert Practitioner can meet your needs then Fair Opinion could be the right place to start your search.
In selecting an expert witness in the fields of information technology, computer hardware or computer software your next decision is often a choice between breadth of experience and depth of specialized skills. It is common to find an expert with senior management experience in areas such as project management and development methodology, but who lacks recent credentials in detailed languages and tools. Alternatively you may find skilled programmers or designers, but these often lack the communication skills and business experience to discuss issues in terms that can be understood by a judge and jury. When you are looking for an Expert Practitioner who has both breadth of experience and depth of specialized skills, Fair Opinion is the place to start.
