Expert Witness Testimony:Fear and Loathing or Fun and Games?

David S. CurcioJackson Walker L.L.P.

1401 McKinney, Suite 1900Houston, Texas 77010

713.752.4441 Tel713.754.6714 Faxdcurcio@jw.com

Preparation Know the case

Know the evidence

Know your lawyer

Know the opposition

Rules

Always:• TELL THE TRUTH• Stick to your area of expertise• Pay Attention

For Depositions/Cross:• Interrogator is the enemy• Do not volunteer• Do not converse

Characteristics

• Belief / Indifference

• Knowledge / Ignorance

• Humble / Arrogant

“It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Abraham Lincoln

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything else.”

Mark Twain

“There are three signs of old age: loss of memory ... I forget the other two.”

Red Skelton

“Pretend inferiority and encourage your enemy’s

arrogance.”Sun Tzu

“Liars when they speak the truth are not believed.”

Aristotle

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

Colin Powell