All posts by Hana Zumout

All Posts
Sales Funnel Expert Witness Practice - Interest Stage
Expert Witness TestimonyMarketingSocial MediaUncategorized

Interest: The Best Content Strategy for Expert Witnesses

on January 21, 2025

INTRODUCTION

In a previous Experts.com blog post, I wrote about how the sales funnel is relevant for expert witnesses. Specifically, we covered the importance of the Awareness Stage and measured its success with reach. But what happens next? What steps do you take after you reach your target audience? How do you keep them engaged? This post delves into the best content strategies expert witnesses can use to nurture their target audience in the Interest Stage.

Sales Funnel for Expert Witnesses - Interest

What is the Interest Stage?

After you’ve acquired your target audience’s attention, some may stick around because they find your content relatable or intriguing. These audience members are part of the Interest Stage, as they have shown consideration for your previous material or find you someone with whom they resonate. Maybe they voted in a poll you posted or thought the introductory video to your practice was worth the watch. Regardless, metrics such as likes, comments, shares, reposts, and follows give you insight into people occasionally interacting with you online. Now that you have the information in mind, how do you maintain their interest?

Unlike the Awareness Stage, where people are familiarizing themselves with your practice, those in the Interest Stage want to know the available solutions to their problems. This includes the advantages and disadvantages of those solutions. At this point, you have strengthened your audience’s recognition of your expert witness practice. Now, your digital marketing efforts need to be taken a step further.

So, nurture your audience by focusing on persuasion. Just simply posting about your brand is not fully engaging. How can you simultaneously stand out amongst competitors while helping your audience begin to consider whether to connect with you or hire you for their next case? What methods can you use to put your expert witness practice, into practice?

Engaging Content - Interest Stage Expert Witness Practice

Content Strategies for the Interest Stage

Thankfully, there are a few options to highlight the benefits of your business. With the following content types, you can clearly communicate why your services are the best option for your potential clients and cement credibility, authority, and trustworthiness.

Comparison Guides

Comparison Guides are excellent for visually communicating the possible advantages and drawbacks of your service. They also allow you to share the aspects of your practice that stand out among other experts in your area or field. Being upfront about all factors of your expert witness practice (price rate, location, industry specialization, certifications, etc.) can inform your audience of everything they need to know before attorneys and law firms decide to retain you.

Here are more examples of things to include:

  • Total number of times you have testified (“I have been retained 15 times in the last 6 years.”).
  • List the states where you hold certifications and licenses
  • Types of courts you have presented your expert witness testimony.

Testimonials

Testimonials are valuable because they are first-hand accounts that praise you and your expertise. Essentially, they are subtle referrals for potential clients to consider when looking for an expert in your field. Even though you already have a positive reputation or an esteemed practice, confirmation from secondary sources can only help you market yourself.

Case Studies

Case Studies are, without a doubt, the most influential pieces of content to show your target audience. It demonstrates your experience in court and/or mediation, and how your testimony helped your client. In addition, it also portrays the types of cases you get retained for or accept. If you have notable cases that you are allowed to discuss, then presenting them to prospecting clients gives them insight regarding how collaborating with you would play out.

Successful Case Study - Expert Witnessing

Parting Words

Overall, identical strategies will not work in all sales funnel stages. There are different methods you can use to maintain and grow your audience’s intrigue in your business and add value to your services. In our upcoming blog, we’ll discuss content strategies for the Conversion and Loyalty stages so you can learn how to retain repeat clients.

Criminal LawEvidenceExpert WitnessFraudLaw Enforcement

Diddy Scandal: Ways Agents Handle Insanely Sensational Cases

on December 6, 2024

INTRODUCTION

In Experts.com‘s previous blog post concerning American Hip-Hop artist, Sean “Diddy Combs, insight from Mr. Joseph E. Gunja, a Jails, Prisons, and Corrections expert, detailed jail protocols for the rich and famous. He awaits his May 2025 criminal trial in jail. According to the Manhattan Federal Court, Diddy faces sex trafficking, prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges (US DOJ).

Consequently, Diddy’s fame and tight-lipped potential witnesses separate this high-profile case from others. He and other Hollywood elites are, without a doubt, major influences in pop culture (BBC). Now, the public wonders which well-known figures perpetuated the decades-long abuse or faced abuse themselves. With contributions from Dr. James F. Pastor, a security and law enforcement expert witness, this blog post explains Diddy’s charges and how law enforcement and federal agents investigate multi-state crimes.

P Diddy Jail for Freak Offs - Police and Federal investigation.

DIDDY CRIMINAL CHARGES EXPLAINED

Diddy’s unsavory reputation certainly adds weight to his case, but his notoriety alone did not land him in criminal court. Below are definitions of Diddy’s criminal charges and their average sentences (United States v. Sean Diddy Combs):

  • Racketeering Conspiracy: A type of organized crime that can be affiliated with individuals, businesses, and corporations, in which a string of illegal crimes are committed. The purpose is to cement a false sense of legitimacy.*
    • Through the Combs Enterprise, Diddy used people within his organization to commit crimes on his behalf.
    • Sentence: Life in Prison (maximum).
  • Sex Trafficking: Transporting people from one area or country to another solely for sexual exploitation by force, fraud, or coercion. Prostitution can be part of sex trafficking.
    • Diddy has property in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City. Crossing state borders with women under the influence and forcing them to join his “freak offs” explains the sex trafficking charge.
    • Sentence: Life in Prison (maximum); mandatory 15-year prison sentence.
  • Prostitution: While legal in some states, it becomes a criminal charge when someone exchanges money for nonconsensual sexual activity.
    • Diddy leveraged his power to coerce women into sexual activity with male commercial sex workers.
    • Sentence: 10-year prison sentence (maximum).

*Distinction*: Racketeering, Conspiracy, and Racketeering Conspiracy are three separate charges. Firstly, Racketeering involves committing crimes within an enterprise. Secondly, Conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime. Finally, Racketeering Conspiracy, Diddy’s charge, is when two or more people agree to participate in a criminal scheme to gain commercial profit. Although there isn’t a requirement, in most cases, the government will try to prove that the enterprise’s establishment was for illegal purposes (RICO).

Pills and Drugs used for Diddy Crimes across state borders.

Expert Q & A: Diddy Scandal Application

Insight from Dr. James A. Pastor – Security and Law Enforcement Expert

Question #1

Q1: How do police and/or federal agencies begin investigating large-scale, multi-state cases?

A: Typically, the initial decision goes to the state vs. federal jurisdiction. In the “Diddy” case, since the charges were brought in federal court, state authorities usually would not be involved—unless they participated in earlier stages of the investigation (which I tend to doubt). In this case, since evidence and witnesses may be derived from multiple areas around the country (or even internationally), the coordination of these investigations likely included US Attorney and FBI offices in several cities. How these resources are marshaled and organized is most likely done through the centralized decision-making of the lead prosecutor in NY.

Question #2

Q2: How is evidence determined, collected, and consolidated to build a prosecutable case?
Evidence Collection

A: This is a big question that is heavily dependent on the nature of the case, the resources devoted to the matter, and the level of cooperation involved within federal law enforcement. Since this is a “heater case,”* my sense is it is a high priority in the Justice Department, as they would not have brought the case if they were not serious about it. As such, the prosecutors surely have a great deal of information and have collected mountains of data, videos, photos, and witness statements. By the time this case becomes public, rest assured that the government has already substantially developed its case against Diddy.

How they collected the evidence typically commences with witnesses or complainants coming forward with allegations. If these allegations appear to have merit, it’s a matter of following up with the witnesses or complainants. Usually, this entails people naming other witnesses, providing photos or videos of the events, and supplementing these with other documentary evidence such as emails, news accounts, voice mails, and many other forms of evidence. In a case this big, with so many people who witnessed things through many years where Diddy’s parties and other events had such a wide array of attendees, the potential sources of information may be so vast as to be too large to effectively manage.

*A “heater case” is an ongoing case that generates significant media attention.*

Evidence Management

A: While I never handled anything so large, my sense is that when the momentum grows, people tend to come “out of the woodwork.” Many people knew of illegal or illicit activities but would not want to get involved. If (and this may have already occurred) those who desire to “tell their story” are influential and powerful, others may then feel free to communicate what they know. This is the tipping point moment.* If people come out of the “woodwork,” what was once only an isolated allegation may turn into a groundswell.

Collecting and managing this level of information then becomes its own challenge. If this occurs, then prosecutors will likely select the best-known, most attractive, and most articulate witnesses with specific factual claims to make their case. All other lesser-knowns will not be part of the legal proceeding and may only weigh in with news and media accounts.  

*For example, ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit against Diddy last November inspired women to share their experiences. (Washington Post).*

Interrogation Room - Diddy Scandal

Questions #3 – #5

Q3: What is the protocol for finding and interviewing witnesses?

A: Not sure there is any one protocol. Getting initial witnesses/complainants to “name names” is typically the initial key factor. Following up on these names, asking these people to tell their version of the events is the most likely sequence of the investigation. Prosecutors may offer immunity deals to some in the early stages of the investigation. Getting these people to make videotaped statements coupled with providing other independent evidence, again, like emails, photos, videos, and the like would be part of this protocol.

So, the adage holds true: follow the facts. As the investigation develops, leads develop into viable evidence, which, as a result, goes to other sources of evidence. It can certainly build upon itself into the “tipping point” described above.

Q4: How does law enforcement find witnesses willing to provide valuable information to the police?

A: People naming other people. Images of people in videos and photos. Emails, voice mails, news accounts, and a host of other sources.

Q5: What are some of the most common obstacles to coordinating multi-state investigations?

A: Usually money—resources and cooperation. Lack of cooperation may be the result of disinterest or of competition, where one agency holds back information or performs parallel investigations in the quest to make the arrest or be the one that gets the credit.

FBI - Diddy Scandal

Questions #6 & #7

Q6: Are there specific departments tasked with investigating Diddy’s separate charges? Or are all the law enforcement officers assigned to his case investigating all of them?

A: In this case, the FBI is likely the lead investigative unit. They have specialized units to manage the facts and circumstances derived from this case. Interviewing women who may have been sexually assaulted at a tender age is one such specialization. Being sensitive to the emotions and even the repressed memories requires skilled professionals who have experience in these investigations.

Q7: At what point during an investigation do federal agencies get involved?

A: It’s a federal case, and likely commenced as a federal case. My sense is that a local jurisdiction would not touch this as Diddy is too big, too rich, and too well-connected.

CONCLUSION

While the Diddy Scandal unravels and news unfolds, we will continue applying expert insight to the case. Thank you to Dr. James F. Pastor, Security and Law Enforcement expert, for taking the time to collaborate with Experts.com on the second blog of the Diddy Scandal series.

Sean Diddy Combs
Criminal LawEntertainmentExpert WitnessJails and PrisonsSexual Abuse

Diddy Scandal: A Look Into Jail Conduct For The Mainstream

on October 31, 2024

INTRODUCTION

After being indicted on September 17th, 2024, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, a household name in hip-hop and a three-time Grammy Award winner, faces a sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and prostitution trial on May 5th, 2025 (ABC News; United States of America v. Sean Combs). Prosecutors say he orchestrated a decades-long “criminal enterprise” where he and others forced women into sexual encounters with prostitutes, called “freak-offs,” through the use of drugs along with physical and sexual abuse. Diddy pleaded not guilty and his defense attorneys proposed a $50 million bail package that the judge denied (AP News).

While we wait for his trial to start, let’s take a moment to learn about Diddy’s history and jail protocols, with insight provided by Joseph E. Gunja, an Experts.com member and Jails—Prison—Correctional Facilities expert.

BACKSTORY: DIDDY’S PAST ALTERCATIONS

TIMELINE

Throughout his career, Diddy has been associated with a slew of violence and grave misbehavior. He was not charged for some of these situations. However, here are some examples of his most notable misconduct from a timeline provided by Rolling Stone:

  • 1991 CCNY Tragedy: A celebrity basketball game Diddy co-promoted at City College of New York ended in 9 deaths and 29 injuries. The number of attendees exceeded the capacity limit, and the security he hired could not manage the crowd. As a result, Combs settled numerous lawsuits from the victims’ families from 1991-2000.
  • 1998 Steve Stoute Attack: Stoute accidentally sent MTV a version of the “Hate Me Now” music video depicting Combs as Jesus Christ being crucified. Combs wanted the scene deleted and was angry that it aired. He and two other men attacked Stoute with a champagne bottle. Along with attending a one-day anger management session, he received second-degree assault and criminal mischief charges.
  • 2019 Gina Huynh Claims Abuse: Combs’ ex-girlfriend Gina Huynh reported to Tasha K, a blogger, that Diddy physically assaulted her during their five-year relationship. For example, she stated he stomped her stomach and punched the back of her head. Huynh also told Tasha K that Diddy’s circle perpetuated the abuse and did nothing to stop it.

At this point, Combs has not faced any significant consequences for his actions. However, that all changed in 2023.

Sean Diddy Combs and ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura

KEY MOMENTS LEADING TO THE DIDDY TRIAL

On November 16th, 2023, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a federal lawsuit against him. The lawsuit detailed physical abuse, intimidation, coerced sex with male escorts while he watched, and rape in 2018. Ventura added another accusation that Combs was responsible for causing Kid Cudi’s car, another famous rapper, to explode back in 2012 to prevent him from pursuing Ventura romantically. Kid Cudi validated the allegation (New York Times). To counter Ventura, Combs claimed she attempted to blackmail him for $30 million before the lawsuit. He and Ventura settled for an unknown amount the following day. Undoubtedly, her lawsuit catalyzed other women, colleagues, and critics to share their stories and corroborate his misdeeds (Billboard).

  • November 23rd – December 6th, 2023: Three women sued Diddy for physical abuse, drugging, and rape within a week and a half after settling Ventura’s lawsuit.
  • December 7th, 2023: Singer-songwriter and activist Tiffany Red wrote a letter to Combs in Rolling Stone. She corroborated Ventura’s claims detailing events she witnessed at Ventura’s 29th birthday party in 2015. Lastly, Red accounts for how she tried to intervene and felt helpless.
  • May 17th, 2024: A 2016 surveillance footage resurfaced depicting Diddy physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. The altercation resembled an allegation Ventura made in her lawsuit last November. According to LA Country District Attorney, George Gascon, “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately, we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
  • September 17th, 2024: Police found 1,000 bottles of baby oil while searching Diddy’s New York residence. A month later, a lawsuit made by another Jane Doe alleged the baby oil, and other lubricants, were laced with GHB (Rohypnol) to drug women for his “freak offs” (E! Online).
Jail cell, where Diddy waits for trial.

JAIL PROCEDURES FOR THE MAINSTREAM

Expert Insight

Presently, Diddy is in jail waiting for his trial to start. Joseph E. Gunja, a Jails/Prisons/Correctional Facilities expert, has graciously opined on jail and prison protocol for high-profile inmates.

Before I delve into the procedures, a distinction between jails and prisons must be included. Jails are under local law enforcement agencies or correctional department supervision. They are for inmates who temporarily await trial and sentencing dates. Mr. Gunja notes that the staff overseeing the inmates receive annual 40-hour training related to their job description. State and federal entities oversee prisons. People go to prison for longer sentences, usually related to more serious crimes. Essentially, Diddy is temporarily in jail, and depending on the outcome of his trial, he may be sent to prison for a longer sentence.

According to Mr. Gunja, “Combs will not be treated any differently than other inmates.” The jail protocols apply to everyone regardless of social and economic status. Regarding visitation, Diddy is allowed to have social visitors, which are set by the staff. Alexandra Shapiro, his attorney of record, can visit as many times as necessary.

Aside from his current legal scandal, Diddy is constantly in the news and media given his celebrity status. Mr. Gunja states that jails “respond to the media inquiry with consultations with the regional Public Information Officer and Central Office Public Information Officer.” Lastly, some inmates may need constant supervision, as Diddy did last month when he was on suicide watch (NBC News). Mr. Gunja states that suicide watch must have the approval of a psychologist or other mental health professional.

CONCLUSION

Since Diddy’s legal scandal is ongoing, and the trial will not happen until next year, we will continue to discuss different aspects of his case with insight from various expert witnesses. A special thank you to Mr. Joseph E. Gunja for opining on jail procedures for high-profile inmates. Please stay tuned for the upcoming ‘Diddy Scandal’ blog post.

Lead Generation for Expert Witnesses - Reach
Expert WitnessMarketingSocial MediaUncategorized

Reach: Why It’s Insanely Valuable for Expert Witnesses

on September 17, 2024

INTRODUCTION

Marketing professionals help companies and clients understand their target audience and accomplish business goals by following a sales funnel. The top of the funnel is the Awareness Stage, which consists of leads, a broad group of people who are unaware or have little familiarity with a company and its products. Companies reach out to specific leads because they show important characteristics that match those of their ideal customer. The goal is to convert those leads into customers as they become increasingly aware of their goods and services.

Sales funnels are not just for marketers. It might be silly to think that a sales funnel can relate to promoting your expert witness practice, but it resonates more than you think it would. Any business selling goods or services, including expert witnesses, needs to connect with its target audience. Building those connections is not easy to achieve unless you have been a practicing expert witness for years. In brief, this blog will define reach and explain why it is vital for expert witnesses and their digital marketing efforts.

Sales Funnel for Expert Witnesses

“REACH” FOR EXPERT WITNESSES

The Awareness Stage is when target audiences first discover a service, company, or person they might need. As an expert witness, expanding your audience is the key to increasing your opportunities. To measure the Awareness Stage of your business, “reach” is the metric to use.

What is “Reach”?

Hootsuite states, “On social media, reach refers to the number of users that saw your content, i.e., how many different people it reached.” For example, if I upload a video tutorial on Instagram, I can see that 700 accounts looked at the post. To clarify, this differs from impressions, defined as the number of times the content appears on a user’s screen. Reach counts users and impressions measure total, cumulative views. In this blog, we will only focus on the former. The number of eyes on your material is far more important than the number of times those same eyes look at your content, like articles, blogs, and videos.

When you begin to promote your practice, your primary goal is to access as many relevant audience members as possible. It is not enough to just freely post material for the sake of posting. Your content must have intention, purpose, and relatability. It is the primary way to cement connections and partnerships. Unless a customer is in dire need of a certain product or service, it is rare for a lead to quickly purchase anything from a company or person they barely know.

So, reach helps you see how many people are interested in you and your practice. The Awareness Stage is where you begin planting and nurturing the seeds toward the ultimate goal, retention.

Why Should Expert Witnesses Prioritize “Reach”?

The initial goal for any entrepreneur or business is to amass as many people as possible to increase their chances of a “sale.” The same can be said for expert witnesses. Getting the attention of those you are seeking can boost your chances of testifying in court for an attorney and their client.

Knowing how many users in your target audience are encountering your content can help you maintain or refine your strategy. For example, say your reach results are insufficient. Hashtags are a great way to expand your audience. It invites users who do not follow you to see your content if the hashtag they click is in your post. This only works if the social media account you are posting from is public.

To track reach on social media, like Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and more, Hootsuite provides information about platform-specific analytics tools . Experts.com offers analytic reporting services as well! You can view audience engagement on your profile page, CV, articles, videos, books, and other content. Ultimately, if you are interested in understanding how well your digital content performs, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these tools.

Reach - Spread the Word

CONTENT IDEAS FOR “REACH”

While people can discover you and your business by searching for your website (an absolute MUST-HAVE for expert witnesses), you still need to put in the effort to aggregate potential clients. Below are some content ideas to help you promote your practice to attorneys and like-minded experts.

Organic Social Media Posts

When you post organically, it stems from either your personal or business social media accounts without paying for sponsorships. You share what you want to share on your own volition! There are a multitude of topics and ideas to to bring to your followers about your work and experience, like notable accomplishments, interviews, polls, and discussion posts. Overall, generating content that can help the audience relate to you will increasingly pique their interest in you and your business.

Blogs

Writing blogs or contributing to articles is another method of showcasing your knowledge to your following. It further cements your credibility as an expert in your field when you opine on industry news, collaborate with other similar experts, or produce your own blog post ideas. Blogsites like WordPress help you use search engine marketing with step-by-step processes to optimize your content. Lastly, you can insert links to gather traffic to your website or other pages you want your audience to visit. With this in mind, you can simultaneously share your knowledge while gaining potential clients. They just need to know who you are and what you do first.

CONCLUSION

In sum, a marketing sales funnel is a useful tool for expert witnesses wanting to track and promote their practice. What you put into your digital marketing efforts is exactly what you will get from it. Lastly, trying is the first step in accessing your desired audience. Stay tuned for the next blog, which covers Engagement and the Interest Stage.

Expert Witness and Attorney Shaking Hands
BusinessExpert WitnessMarketing

Expert Witness 101 (Part 2): Ways to Begin Your Practice

on July 10, 2024

INTRODUCTION

Now that you decided to commit to your expert witness practice, you might be asking yourself a few questions. “What’s the best way to begin?” “How much time and money should I invest? “What is the business aspect of expert witnessing?” Well, this blog post has the answers. LinkedIn Articles suggest numerous tips for starting your practice. To make them digestible, the information is put into two separate categories: the basics and the technicalities.

Expert Witness Practice Investment

HOW TO START YOUR EXPERT WITNESS PRACTICE

The Basics

  1. Add “Expert Witness” on your CV: This title indicates that you are ready to be cross-examined in court and defend your testimony.
    • If you decide not to work in litigation matters, substitute “Expert Witness” for “Business Consultant” or “Consulting Expert.”
    • If you are working as an expert witness and are communicating with the attorney but have not been retained, watermark your CV to clarify your working relationship and protect your practice.
  2. Align yourself with a representative body: Joining organizations like the Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA) can help you connect with other professionals, especially those in your industry. Membership is open to all experts with varying levels of expertise, including those who aspire to testify.
  3. Deal with business promptly: Respond to any inquiries promptly and inform your client of your progress and any possible changes.
  4. Have confidence: Undeniably, your ultimate duty is to objectively opine on the facts of the case. With this in mind, speak with authority. While you do have a duty to your client, your duty to court proceedings and the law should always take precedence. Be ready to defend your position.

The Technicalities

  1. Familiarize yourself with expert witness reports used in litigation: Understanding how to respond to reports helps you distinguish fact from opinion and increases your credibility.
  2. Prepare a marketing plan and include it in financial forecasts: Compare hourly rates in the marketplace and base your hourly rate on your value as an expert witness.
    • The estimate should always contain “plus reasonable disbursements,” including travel, accommodation, and similar expenditures. It is also important to keep a record in case you have to explain financial matters.
    • When you are ready to start marketing yourself and your practice, read Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt. 3 of our “How To Make Your Expert Witness Practice Noticeable” blog series!
  3. Set a solid “Terms of Business”: Some attorneys will try to impose their Terms of Business on you. Bring your own model to the table if you wish to negotiate different provisions.
  4. Manage your caseload: How much work do you want on your plate? Is expert witnessing work in addition to your full-time job? These are a couple of questions to consider when preparing your financial forecasts.
Expert Witness Market Research

Additional Resources

As an online marketing platform for expert witnesses, Experts.com also offers resources on this subject. Our Vice President of Client Relations & Development, Nick Rishwain, JD, recently hosted a webinar series, “The Business of Expert Witnessing: Part 1 and Part 2,“ with guest host and founder of Sandman Legal, PC, Dan Sandman, Esq. Gain insight from industry professionals. Watch our webinars for in-depth advice on how to start your business.

SERIES PARTING WORDS

All in all, becoming an expert witness is a long-term investment for your career. It can serve as your main revenue stream or as an addition to your full-time job. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to make connections and expand your network, cultivating relationships with attorneys and law firms. Becoming an expert witness is not a difficult process. The tools and steps to begin your business are at your fingertips. However, the follow-through is up to you.

Graceland Billboard
Expert WitnessFraudHandwriting AnalysisReal Estate

The Fight For Graceland: New Lawsuit Filed Over Fraud Claims

on June 11, 2024

INTRODUCTION

On May 15th, 2024, Riley Keough, the late Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, filed a lawsuit to halt the auction of the family property, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. According to The US Sun, “Elvis Presley’s historic Graceland home is set to be sold at auction after his daughter (Lisa Marie Presley) allegedly failed to pay back a $3.8 million loan.” Keough’s lawsuit is based on claims of fraudulent loan documents. Learn about the lawsuit details and gain insight from Experts.com member and Handwriting Expert, Wendy Carlson.

From left to right: Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and Riley Keough. Graceland Lawsuit.

GRACELAND LAWSUIT EXPLAINED

Backstory

Elvis Presley bought the 13.8-acre estate for $102,500 and moved to Graceland in 1957 with his family. After his death, Lisa Marie Presley became the sole heir of the property in 1977. She is responsible for transforming the home into one of the most popular museums in the United States. The Graceland Museum opened in 1982 and brings in an average of over 600,000 guests annually. In January 2023, she suddenly passed away from a small bowel obstruction. Due to her untimely death, Riley Keough, her only daughter, inherits Graceland (The U.S. Sun).

In 2018, Naussany Investments & Private Lending granted Lisa Marie a loan. She also signed a deed of trust to secure it. AP News stated, “Naussany Investments & Private Lending said Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice.” In support of Promenade Trust, which oversees the Graceland Museum, Keough filed a lawsuit suggesting Naussany falsified loan documents. More specifically, the paperwork allegedly contained forged signatures in Lisa Marie’s name. Keough’s lawyer, Jeff Germany, wrote, “Lisa Marie Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments” (AP News).

Court Findings

To delve further into the fraud loan signature claims, here is a list of what transpired (credit: USA TODAY and NBC News):

  • In the lawsuit, Keough depicts Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC as “not a real entity.”
  • Keough also states a man named Kurt Naussany sent her attorney emails threatening to sell Graceland if he did not receive the $3.8 million. However, his departure from the company was in 2015.
  • According to Kurt, the person assisting Lisa Marie with the loan was Gregory E. Naussany.
  • Mr. Germany states the notary stamp on the deed of trust is falsified.
    • Kimberly Philbrick, the notary, states she never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized the document.
  • On May 21st, 2024, Gregory E. Naussany sent a fax response to the Shelby County Chancery Court hours before the hearing began.
    • He states, “I respectfully deny the allegations made by Danielle Riley Keough… Naussany Investments & Private Lending is prepared to provide evidence and arguments to demonstrate the relief sought is not justified in this case… It’s apparent that Keough and LMP family was not aware of LMP *mis handling [sic] of money and finances” (NBC News).
  • On May 22nd, 2024, the Chancery Court Chancellor told Mr. Germany, “It appears that… your client will be successful on the merits, providing that you prove the fraud that has been alleged” (NBC News).
    • He also stated that delaying the trial would not hurt Mr. Naussany, as it would allow him time to provide an adequate defense to their claims against Keough.
    • As a result of the hearing, Graceland will remain open to the public.
  • After consulting with his attorneys, Gregory E. Naussany dropped the case.
Graceland Mansion

EXPERT INSIGHT

Wendy Carlson, a Forensic Document Examiner and Handwriting Expert, has graciously opined on this blog topic. She states, “It is a common thing to see fraudulent signatures in real estate transactions. Whether it is property, rights, or an inheritance, there is always somebody out there who wants something that isn’t theirs.” She also analyzes forged signatures and documents outside of real estate. She frequently views questioned signatures on “wills, deeds for automobiles, professional contracts, noncompete agreements, and divorce documents.” Ms. Carlson examines signatures on graffiti, anonymous notes, magazine subscriptions, and even suicide notes as well. Overall, people will forge signatures and documents on anything they can.

With this in mind, how do people actually falsify documents? Ms. Carlson notes a few methods below:

  • Cutting and Pasting
  • Electronically
  • Wording/Paragraphs/Signatures

Also, how can someone determine false signatures? According to Ms. Carlson, handwriting experts analyze and compare fake signatures to real ones. “Sometimes, a deeper examination needs to be done through electronic magnification. Examining and magnifying the original wet ink document is always the best method for making an accurate determination,” Ms. Carlson says. People falsify signatures and documents in order to illegally portray authenticity and genuineness. Now that there are electronic signatures, finding fake ones has been taken to a new level.

Ms. Carlson states, “Sometimes, technology makes it more difficult to ascertain the authenticity of a document or signature. However, a person’s signature is created through repetition and habit, and those habits and idiosyncrasies found in writing are not easily mimicked by a person who does not regularly sign that signature that is being compared.” For this reason, it is crucial to examine original signatures. Unfortunately, most original versions are unavailable. The initial signatures and documents are either missing or destroyed.

CONCLUSION

Overall, fraudulent signatures and documents exist for selfish gain. It is not difficult to understand why someone would want to own Graceland, fraudulently or not, especially with its revenue. However, this nefarious act transcends the rich and famous. Everyone should be on the lookout. Graceland remains in the custody of Promenade Trust and will not be up for auction any time soon. Thanks to the insight from Handwriting Expert and Forensic Document Examiner Wendy Carlson, any signature and document can be fraudulent, but there are ways to find the genuine versions.

United States Court House
Expert WitnessExpert Witness Testimony

Expert Witness 101 (Part 1): What You Need To Know

on April 16, 2024

INTRODUCTION

Have you watched any major court trials, like DEPP V. HEARD on Netflix or Casey Anthony: An American Murder Mystery on Hulu? If so, then you are familiar with a courtroom scene, the judge, jury, attorneys, and their clients. There are always witnesses, but what is the difference between a regular witness and an expert witness? Why are they necessary, and how would an attorney go about finding one? Who knows, YOU may qualify as an expert witness yourself but you just don’t know it. In this blog post you will learn if you have the qualifications and, if so, how to establish a new source of income.

Fair Trial or Deposition for Expert Witness

WHAT IS AN EXPERT WITNESS?

Expert Witness Definition

The significant benefit of this industry is that anyone can become an expert witness! According to Federal Rule of Evidence 702, “An expert witness is a person with specialized knowledge, skills, education, or experience in a particular field who is called upon to provide their expertise in legal proceedings to assist the court with understanding complex, technical, or scientific issues.” Attorneys serving the plaintiff and defendant can both hire expert witnesses and pay them for their testimony and consultation. The expert witness must also qualify under specific FRE 702 criteria to certify their testimony is “relevant” and “reliable.” As of December 1st, 2023, the amendments to the federal rule have gone into effect (photo credit – Perkins Coie):

Amendments for FRE R 702 Expert Witness Testimony

Proskauer similarly describes the new language added by the amendment as:

  1. A court may not admit expert testimony unless the proponent establishes its admissibility by a preponderance of the evidence.
  2. A court must find that an expert’s opinion follows from a reliable application of the methodology to the facts at issue before that opinion is heard by a jury.

Business Consultant Definition

Some experts choose not to work in litigation. They do not want to subject themselves to the possibility of grueling questions or contentious court proceedings. These professionals would be considered Business Consultants or Consulting Experts. They receive payment for their assistance in a settlement or mediation. These experts act in the same way as Expert Witnesses, but they do not testify in trial or present evidence to a court. 

How Much Experience Do You Need?

Unfortunately, a straightforward answer to this question does not exist. It is relative to your chosen industry. For instance, experience in the medical and engineering fields vastly differs from experience in more creative and less analytical fields. However, that is not to say one industry is superior to the other purely based on years of experience. Comparing experiences to others is like comparing apples to oranges; it can not be done. Ultimately, as long as you qualify under Federal Rule of Evidence 702, or the applicable state test, then you can be an expert witness.

Movie: My Cousin Vinny

One of the most unexpected yet hilarious examples of expert witness testimony is from the movie My Cousin Vinny.

Vinny Gambini, played by Joe Pesci, a fairly new street-smart lawyer from New York who’s prone to verbal shenanigans, accepts the opportunity to defend his cousin accused of murder. During the trial scene he puts his girlfriend, Mona Lisa Vito, played by Marisa Tomei, on the stand. From her looks (sequin sweater, short leather skirt, and bright red lipstick), one wouldn’t expect her to be qualified to testify about cars, a pivotal aspect of the case. It turns out her expertise stemmed from her practical experience working in her father’s garage since childhood. Mona Lisa’s hands-on knowledge of cars, engines, and automotive mechanics helped her analyze the tire marks in the scene.

I will spare the rest of the details to avoid revealing any spoilers. While the movie is fictional, the testimony scene is possible at a judge’s discretion. Here is Mona Lisa’s expert witness testimony scene from My Cousin Vinny.

EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY CRITERIA

The Daubert Standard

The court has a systematic framework to assess the relevance, validity, and reliability of expert witness testimony before it is presented to the jury. The Daubert Standard grants trial judges the responsibility to be “gatekeepers” of scientific evidence and aims to mitigate their reliance on an expert’s reputation and credentials. Lastly, all Federal Courts use the Daubert Standard. Some states may use the original framework, the Frye Standard.

From the Daubert Standard, trial courts use these five factors to prove the validity of expert witness testimony and methodology:

  • Whether the technique or theory in question can be, and has been tested.
  • Whether it has been subjected to publication and peer review.
  • Its known or potential error rate.
  • The existence and maintenance of standards controlling its operation.
  • Whether it has attracted widespread acceptance within a relevant scientific community.
Expert Witness Testimony

PARTING WORDS

To summarize, becoming an expert witness is not a complicated process. An expert witness is responsible for objectively opining on the facts of the case using industry knowledge to support their testimony. The law offers guidelines to ensure you qualify as an expert witness to secure valid and unbiased testimony from legitimate professionals. Becoming an expert witness or a business consultant builds credibility and expands business and networking opportunities. With the requisite knowledge, you can be confident and secure in your testimony. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog series, which will give tips for starting your business and the best practices to do so!

Social Media Icons - Expert Witness Practice
Expert WitnessMarketingSocial Media

Pt. 3: How To Make Your Expert Witness Practice Noticeable

on February 13, 2024

INTRODUCTION

Now that you know how to define your personal brand and turn it into tangible content, it is time to be strategic. You must choose the digital and social platforms to share your expert witness practice. The plethora of options for expert witnesses to market themselves are overwhelming. Thankfully, Experts.com has a few suggestions. The final part of this blog series will help you narrow down the wide list of digital platforms for effectively marketing your expert witness practice.

Expert Witnesses Exchanging Ideas

SHARE YOUR EXPERT WITNESS BRAND

HOW TO LIMIT YOUR OPTIONS

There are positive and negative consequences to everything we do in life. Marketing plays by the same rules. For instance, posting too frequently with content marketing will overwhelm your audience. To add, it also diminishes the importance of your message. Implementing a basic strategy will help you effectively promote your practice.

The last stage helps you pick the platforms and content types to commit to or are most relevant to your practice. Ask yourself these 6 questions:

  • How much time can I spend sharing my expertise with the online community?
  • What platforms do I enjoy the most?
  • Which platforms do my target audience frequently use?
  • Would I rather record videos and podcasts or write articles and social media copy (like polls and discussion posts)?
  • Which content types are easily digestible for my audience?
  • What results am I seeking, and will my chosen platform achieve the desired results?
    • Result examples: clicks, shares, comments/engagement, followers, profile impressions, etc.

When choosing your platforms, it is undeniably important to understand your business goals and your target audience. Growing an online presence means sharing valuable insight with those who seek your expertise. But the last thing any professional wants is to experience burnout. Content creation is not an easy task, let alone mixed with a full-time job. A sentiment to remember is that content marketing should complement and boost your expert witness practice.

Overall, it is advantageous to choose your platforms and content types strategically. Attempting to tackle all of them is simply unattainable. Answering the questions above can help you scale down the many available avenues to one or two successful platforms. Now, let’s dive into the most applicable options for your digital marketing needs.

PLATFORM TYPES

Many digital platforms cater to various industries (TechTarget). For the purpose of this post, the focus will be on three digital platform types: social media, content creation, and business collaboration.

Social Media

Social media was briefly discussed in the previous blog post. It summarized that content, like articles and blog posts, can be repurposed on those applications. However, it did not detail which ones were best to use. According to the New York Bar Association, here is a list of social media platforms to consider as expert witnesses:

All listed social media platforms cater to text, images, and video to varying degrees. For instance, X is more discussion-based than Instagram, but it allows users to post videos and photos. Facebook is an advantageous platform because its 3.03 billion users surpass the other three options (Backlinko). All three media types are popular on this platform, and it helps you reach an exponentially higher number of people to market your practice. Lastly, LinkedIn is essentially Facebook for professionals. You can join free discussion groups based on your specialty and target a more precise audience.

Content Creation

Part 2 of this blog series covered the surface of the increasing influence of videos. While it may be considered a social media platform, YouTube is fundamentally a platform for content creation. It is the most prominent place to post videos related to your expertise.

LinkedIn states there are several benefits to uploading videos to YouTube:

  • Cost-Effective: Unless you’re sharing a TEDx Talk, interview, or conference panel, expert witnesses do not need to create long videos. Short 1-2 minute videos are significantly cheaper to make and would effectively communicate your desired message in the long run. Look at our “Experts.com Files” series on YouTube, which details years of locating expert witnesses for various legal cases.
  • Extend Audience Reach: YouTube has more than 2.70 billion monthly active users as of 2024, approximately 34% of the world’s population (Global Media Insight). This statistic further proves the rise of video consumption and confirms your need to seize this opportunity.
  • Shareable: Again, videos can be repurposed for social media. Share them on platforms where your audience is located or where you see the best results.
  • Great User Experience: YouTube is not bound to any specific device. Online consumers can watch your short videos on a laptop and mobile devices. Catering to your audience’s needs can result in more viewership and engagement.

While video content may require more time and effort to execute, YouTube is a great user-friendly tool for beginners. Any user with a YouTube account can edit, schedule, and upload their videos easily using YouTube Studio.

Business Collaboration

Finally, video conference platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype are great avenues for hosting webinars and informational meetings. You can invite your connections to register for your digital event and showcase your knowledge live. Partner with other experts in your field, attorneys, or online legal marketing firms to share your expertise and include your audience in the conversation with Q&As.

Business Collaboration platforms emphasize relationship-building more strongly than the previous two platform types. Attendees can get as close to an in-person impression as they can in a digital forum. Experts.com hosts quarterly webinars that connect the broader legal community and highlight the insight from our guest speakers.

Zoom Conference - Expert Witness Practice

PT. 3 CONCLUSION

All in all, the platforms you use should align with your schedule, audience, and goals for your expert witness practice. If you want to connect with other professionals, then meet them where they are located to avoid reinventing the wheel. Generally, marketing is about learning what works through trial and error. While these tips can help improve your digital marketing efforts, success looks different for each expert witness. As you promote your practice, take note of your defined successes and continue to implement strategies that produce them.

SERIES PARTING WORDS

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” Wayne Gretzky, former NHL player.

Ultimately, it’s worth it to try something new than not to try at all. While digital marketing is not the sole solution to creating connections and business, it certainly holds relevance now. It is a disservice not to take advantage of its potential. If you seek visibility for your expert witness practice, be proactive about your digital marketing efforts. Many cost-friendly content and platform options are available to showcase you and your expertise to your audience. Decide which platforms work for you and start taking those shots. Some days will have better outcomes than others, but the journey will eventually lead you to your destination.

Content Marketing for Expert Witness Practice
Expert WitnessMarketingSocial Media

Pt. 2: How To Make Your Expert Witness Practice Noticeable

on January 23, 2024

INTRODUCTION

In Part 1, you learned about the importance of personal branding for your expert witness practice. Showcasing your “professional total package” in physical and online spaces is in your best interest. Cementing your clear brand identity can help you stand out among competitors, increase job opportunities, and cultivate new and existing relationships. How can you turn that brand into tangible material? What are the benefits of dedicating time to doing so? Discover the power of content marketing in Part 2 of this 3-part blog series.

MAKE YOUR EXPERT WITNESS BRAND TANGIBLE

ORGANIC CONTENT

You may have heard terms such as “organic” and “paid” content. For the purposes of this blog, only “organic” content will be discussed. According to Forbes, “Organic social media content is any free content shared on social media profiles including posts, videos, stories, and more.” These posts are composed and uploaded by any user and are not supported by sponsors or advertisers. Overall, the content you post organically can be seen by your connections and anyone who shares it.

The main and best benefit of organic content is, without a doubt, the lack of financial strain for you and your practice. Its effectiveness does not rely on a large budget. You can sign up for most social media and blog sites for free, and upload your thoughts and accomplishments when you can! Ultimately, you gain new relationships and potential revenue without losing money outside your current expenses.

Content Marketing Formats for Expert Witnessing

CONTENT TYPES FOR YOUR EXPERT WITNESS PRACTICE

Because it is rooted in consistency, content marketing is a walk in the park for expert witnesses. The industry itself is the definition of consistency, as professionals opine on a given case relevant to their field of study. Expert witnesses would have an easier time developing new pieces compared to those in creative fields. For instance, your content can be based on past work experiences. Previous cases or takeaways from events you have engaged in are great examples for content ideas. Continuing education, in which most professionals must participate, is another resource for original organic content.

Surprisingly, translating your practice into concrete material is not as complicated as it seems. It may require a little extra work and time you might not think you have, but it is a long-term investment for your expert witness career. Bring visibility to your practice with these three suggestions:

Articles & Blogs

According to LinkedIn, blogs help strengthen and support the brand you solidified in the first step. Adding your unique tone of voice to relevant topics provides insight into your personality and professionalism. To add, it also builds relatability with readers, adds depth to your posts, and instills credibility in your reputation. Written content like articles and blogs are a great start for those unfamiliar with posting online content. HubSpot has named other notable benefits:

  • Increases traffic to your website – a necessity for expert witnesses.
  • Content can be repurposed for social media.
  • Solidifies authority for the author, you!

Here are some examples of articles and blogs from our legally trained team and esteemed members of Experts.com.

Topical Social Media Posts

Posting directly to social media adds a crucial element to your content – engagement. For example, you can create a poll, suggest feedback in the comments section, or highlight achievements and noteworthy news. Whichever route you take, you invite your personal and extended connections to view and interact with your online material. For beginners, a discussion-based medium is recommended. Platforms like LinkedIn and X (aka Twitter) allow you to share professional wisdom and follow groups and individuals with similar interests.

Videos

Because text tends to be overwhelming, visuals are integral to any marketing campaign. Videos mitigate the mundaneness of reading text while maintaining curiosity for the audience as they wonder what happens next. Viewers can also watch them from any device, whether at their office desktop or on mobile devices for their on-the-go lifestyle. The mentioned reasons explain the increase in video consumption in recent years. HubSpot named a few statistics that occurred in 2023:

  • On average, people consume 17 hours of online videos per week.
  • HubSpot anticipates the number of digital video viewers to total 3.5 billion.
  • Out of all other content types, people are 52% more likely to share videos.

In addition, 1–2-minute videos can showcase introductions, interviews (participants in a webinar or panel also count), your ability to explain convoluted concepts quickly, and your personality. Becoming comfortable in front of the camera is a hurdle worth getting over. It is a skill that is a continuous work in progress. Do you want to be prominent in your audiences’ minds? Gaining new connections and nurturing existing ones means keeping them engaged with your material and insight.

Desired Results for Expert Witness Practice

PARTING WORDS

All in all, your brand identity and the material you create should work in tandem. Think of content marketing as the vehicle that drives your knowledge and personality to those you want to reach. Why not try to put your insight online in a cost-effective way! Of course, content creation should not add stress to your work life. Write, record, and publish content when you have ample time or when your industry allows you to do so. Ultimately, content marketing will maximize your desired results from your audience. What results are you looking for? Which platforms would be best to reach them? Answers to these questions will be available in the upcoming final third part.  

Build Your Brand - Expert Witness Practice
Expert WitnessMarketingSocial Media

Pt. 1: How To Make Your Expert Witness Practice Noticeable

on December 19, 2023

INTRODUCTION

In the thirty years Experts.com has participated in the expert witness industry, our team has noticed a shift in legal marketing. In-person networking and phone calls were the main avenues for connecting with professionals. Since we have entered the digital age, the primary networking methods aren’t as extensive. Expert witnesses now have various options to promote themselves and their practice. Surely, the endless networking options digital marketing creates can be overwhelming. Some of you may have adjusted to it, but the array of options can be simplified for novices. Part 1 of this three-part blog series discusses the importance of personal brand definition and why it’s necessary for your expert witness practice.

PERSONAL BRAND DEFINITION – EXPERT WITNESSING

What is a Personal Brand?

As an expert witness, you provide your insight to attorneys and law firms. However, many people in the same field as you are doing the same thing. How will you stand out among the other industry experts? What is the distinct factor that influences attorneys to hire you for their case? Is it location, certifications, or notable accomplishments? Why are you the best fit for a client and their legal team? That’s where Personal Brand Definition comes in (Social Media Examiner).

According to Sprout Social, a personal brand is “a culmination of the experiences, skills, and values that differentiate you.” Given that the phrase is associated with marketing, professionals in that field may use their brand to “sell” themselves to clients. Expert witnesses, on the other hand, can use their brand to build connections with attorneys and law firms so they can get hired for their next case.

For instance, think of combining your expertise and individual image as a “professional total package.” Marketing your experience is half the battle; the other half is marketing yourself. You could be the top expert on paper and not get retained due to poor demeanor. The expert witnesses attorneys look for are those who communicate complex observations in layman’s terms, making their insight digestible for juries and the court. You know what you excel at and have the résumé to prove it. Being approachable and well-versed in your field is the first step to positioning your practice to those in the broader legal industry.

Expert Witnesses Expanding Connections

Why Personal Brand Definition is Necessary for Expert Witnesses

Ultimately, expert witnesses need a defined personal brand to distinguish themselves from those in identical fields. Because there are many occupations under the umbrella of general industries, like business or engineering, defining your niche is essential for your personal brand. For example, stating that you’re a medical expert is not enough information for attorneys to hire you. Depending on the case, an attorney might need a nurse, an orthopedic surgeon, or a pharmacist. Attorneys need a professional that has mastery over the nature of the case and can simplify complicated concepts. Setting yourself apart from experts alike and expressing a sincere disposition to attorneys and law firms will make your practice memorable.

In addition to standing out from competitors, there are many benefits to having a personal brand. According to Forbes, branding helps you:

  • Cement trust, consistency, and credibility with your desired audience.
  • Build lasting relationships.
  • Expand your network and career opportunities.
  • Maintain a consistent online presence.
  • Present transparency, expertise, and your unique personality.

Understandably, the word “brand” may seem ridiculous to the logical nature of expert witnessing. Although your knowledge may decide the case, your online image and branding are the gateway to the opportunity. Unless marketed successfully, your expertise could remain the best-kept secret.

PARTING WORDS

To summarize, it’s crucial to take advantage of new marketing methods in the digital age. A great place to start is by defining your personal brand. Intellect alone cannot sufficiently promote your expert witness practice. However, a balance between your experience and attitude can. Demonstrating the “professional total package” to relevant audiences in both physical and digital spaces will keep your name and practice at the forefront of their minds. As a result, it can expand your pool of connections and cases. Having a personal brand for your expert witness practice is the building block for your digital marketing efforts. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Experts.com covers how to turn your brand into tangible content.

1 2 3 4