Expert Witness Blog

Entertainment expert witnesses may testify on motion picture distribution, media piracy, royalties, and related topics. In Protecting Creativity, Expanding Consumer Choice, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. writes:

Respect for copyrights is central to the ability of creative artists to make great movies and TV shows and help our economy grow. The MPAA and its member companies are committed to protecting the rights of those who create the content we love. We are also committed to embracing new technologies and innovative approaches that enable consumers to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows in exciting and flexible ways. Indeed, the motion picture industry has always been at the forefront of such innovation. Think of the transition from silent pictures to sound or black-and-white to color or, today, 2D to 3D.

Read more: mpaa.com.

In What the Defendant Can Do Wrong, security management and risk management expert witness Ira Somerson, BCFE, CPP, CSC, writes on security oversight:

Unfortunately security managers are not taught security management in business schools. Most security problems are business and people problems, but still no serious effort exists (with an established business school) to provide this important curricula to future business executives. Security is taught within criminology curricula, but that is more like preaching to the choir. As a result, a business organization’s operation is usually not structured to include and coordinate security oversight. It is often left to others, not qualified to understand security risks, to assume this important stewardship. This could be an argument for hiring a security manager if your organization does have unique and developed security threats, but it also begs the issue of ensuring that other disciplines within an organization include analysis of security threats in their agenda. For example: audit, safety/environmental, operations, human resources, legal and/or facilities are routinely exposed to security issues. Discovery and investigation will more often than not identify that organizations do not understand or provide desired stewardship of security within their organization.

Property insurance expert witnesses may write reports and opine on flood insurance, earthquake insurance, home insurance, and related topics. Here, Sheryl Devereaux, Houston Political Buzz Examiner, reports on Texas House Committee legislation regarding property insurance:

Impassioned and expert testimony about two bills in the Texas Legislature, HB 272 and HB2818, attempting to solve problems with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) lasted hours in hearing by the House Committee on Insurance today. The committee discussed the claims of the authors, Representatives Smithee, and Taylor respectively, to improve the psuedo-governmental agency and allow better efficiently and effectively pay out on claims.

Discussion focused upon ways to solve the failures of the organization that covers 14 coastal counties including Houston’s Harris County. The bills attempt to provide better efficiency to processing claims–that proved to be painfully sluggish after Ike, and greater transparency, including publishing the salaries of board and other employees of TWIA. The most controversial section of the bill is a clause that requires arbitration for a disputed or inefficiently processed claim rather than a law suit. One member of the panel argued that the Texas State Constitution provides the right of all citizens due process of the courts for remedy. The packed audience applauded.

Semiconductors expert witness Ron Maltiel includes links on his website to industry information which includes a Semiconductor Glossary. The purpose of the glossary is to “give you an instant explanation of key terms and concepts in the area of semiconductor materials, manufacturing and devices.”

You may also find links to:

Semicyclopedia

Long term disability insurance expert witnesses may opine on disability income insurance, state disability insurance, disability insurance benefits, and related topics. In How To Prepare For Your Disability Hearing, Insurance News writes on the hearing process and what to expect:

You’ll probably be in a room with the judge, a hearing assistant who will record the proceedings, any witnesses and, if you have one, your SSDI representative. The Administrative Law Judge also may ask medical or vocational experts to attend and offer their opinions. The medical expert, a doctor, will review your medical records and give his or her opinion about your testimony. The vocational expert will respond to hypothetical questions from the judge about any limitations related to your ability to work.

The ALJ may ask questions about your disability, pain level, and how your disability affects you life. They usually won’t ask technical questions because this information is in your file. When you answer questions, don’t just explain your medical condition. Instead, thoroughly describe how your condition affects your life. For example, tell the judge if you are unable to sit, stand, walk or concentrate. Do not exaggerate your condition.

In What the Defendant Can Do Wrong, security management and risk management expert witness Ira Somerson, BCFE, CPP, CSC, writes on tracking security incidents.

The trick is to create a policy and procedure with management’s strong support that ensures employees will report incidents the very first time they experience an incident or reasonable suspicion. Instead, senior management and house counsel persistently avoid doing this pointing to their concern of it creating a self-incriminating record. In fact, failure to understand one’s history and risks is the best route to self-incrimination. If employees believe that their customers and their own best interests are served, they will support a well developed incident reporting and loss tracking program. Discovery and investigation will more often than not identify that organizations do not perform this vital function and are therefor doomed to persistent security incidents.

In Introduction to Semiconductor Device Manufacturing, semiconductor expert witness Ron Maltiel writes:

Semiconductor technology is continuously evolving and becoming more prevalent in our lives due to the significant advances in the technology and decreases in cost. One of the prominent trends in semiconductor technology over the last 40 years has been the shrinking in size of the individual transistors. This increases the number of transistors that can be included in each new generation of products.

The following narrative is a basic introduction to the semiconductor fabrication (commonly referred to as fab) manufacturing process.

Business expert witnesses may advise regarding executive management, director duties, executive compensation, and related topics. CrainsNewYork.com writes that about 98% of corporate executives believe succession planning is important, yet only 35% have a succession plan in place, according to a recent survey by the Korn/Ferry Institute. In Taking Over: Insider Tips from a Third-Generation CEO, Mitchell Kaneff, chief executive of Arkay Packaging in Manhattan, offers a guide to succession planning.

1. Plan early. “Start succession planning a minimum of five to 10 years prior to the next generation coming into the business,” advised Mr. Kaneff. Sometimes, the process may get stalled, so it is important to build in extra time.

2. Get an outside perspective. Making decisions about succession can be lonely, so it helps to have a sounding board outside of your family or colleagues. “We brought in an industrial psychologist,” said Mr. Kaneff.