Expert Witness

Expert Witness experience is invaluable. Bennett Bibel of Satori Associates, Inc. has been acting as an expert witness for many years. He has been designated as an expert witness in well over 100 cases, been deposed more than 50 times, and has testified in court or at arbitrations more than 20 times. An expert's function is to communicate effectively as a teacher to the attorney, judge, and jury. He must be persuasive, but not offensive; to sound thoughtful and sincere, but not to appear as a "hired gun";and he must know how to project an aura of confidence based on experience. Given an expert's wide latitude in presenting opinions and evidence, he must know when to be aggressive and assertive, and when to be conservative. He must not be rattled by cross examination, and fortunately Bennett Bibel actually likes the cross examination process as it can allow him to get matters into evidence that are important to the case, but were somehow overlooked, or not highly emphasized, in direct examination. Situationly there are times when cross examination will allow the expert to reinforce or even clarify his opinions as to complex matters. In short, the expert witness at trial is a salesman, and successful insurance brokers certainly wear that identification, as they not only have to convince their clients, but also their insurance carriers, that the transference of risk is to their mutual interest and benefit; not any easy chore.

Over the years Bennett Bibel has learned how to conduct himself at deposition. The deposing attorney/s get accurate, concise, thoughtful answers, but seldom obtain information beyond the direct scope of the question. He understands that he is not there to convince the opposing side that they are wrong. He knows that anything he says may well be brought up at trial, and mostly in a negative way. He was once deposed by a battery of attorneys over a full three day period, and this was a great learning experience.

He generally does not take notes in discussion nor in reviewing materials; thus there are few written materials to discover beyond time sheets and letters of appointment, C.V.s and the like. Satori Associates, Inc. has produced written reports, graphs and charts, spreadsheets, etc., when so requested, and we have full office facilities to prepare such documents. No databases of cases are maintained, and at the conclusion of a case, all materials furnished to Satori are shredded in-house, or otherwise disposed of, in such a way as to maintain confidentiality.

Fees are generally based on hourly rates in two classifications: Sworn Testimony, and All Other Work. Expenses are charged at their direct cost. We normally request a fully creditable retainer fee in the amount of our minimum per case fee. These various figures are available upon direct request.