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Experts.com Proudly Partners with Legal Innovators California: Where Innovation and Technology Meet the Law

on May 11, 2023

Experts.com is excited to announce its partnership with the Legal Innovators California, taking place in San Francisco on June 7 and 8, 2023. As a media partner for the event, we are thrilled to support this gathering of the legal industry’s key decision makers and experts in the field of legal innovation and legal technology.

Legal Innovators California is organized by Artificial Lawyer, the premier legal tech publication, and Cosmonauts, a recognized leading conference firm. Following three successful events in the UK from 2019 to 2022, the conference will bring together law firm partners, general counsel, legal ops/legal technology professionals, legal service delivery specialists, legal tech start-ups, and investors in technology for a two-day event.

The conference offers a unique opportunity to network with like-minded legal professionals, learn and share insights, and stay updated on the constantly changing world of legal innovation. The impressive line-up of expert panelists, speakers, and exhibitors from around the world will explore a range of topics, including the reshaping of legal services through technology, how in-house legal teams and legal operations professionals are applying rigor to the delivery of legal services, the legal research revolution, and the huge increase in the value of legal data.

Day 1: Will focus on law firms and Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSP).

Day 2: Will focus on in-house counsel and legal operations.

Legal Innovators California promises to be an informative and exciting event, where attendees can learn about the latest developments in legal technology, innovation, and the business of law. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting in the field, the conference is the perfect place to connect with industry experts, explore new ideas and learn about the future of the legal profession.

As a media partner for the event, Experts.com is committed to supporting the Legal Innovators California Conference and its mission to promote legal innovation and technology. We invite you to join us for this fantastic opportunity to connect with industry experts and learn about the future of the legal profession. Don’t miss out on Legal Innovators California Conference 2023!

Experts.com Discount Code:

I’ll be at the event and I hope to meet you there! You can get your tickets here: Tickets. Use code: “EXPERTS25” for 25% off of your ticket!

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Experts.com Brings Attorneys and Expert Witnesses Together with its AssistedSearch Service

on August 9, 2022

In the years since Experts.com launched, we have offered an expert witness location solution which reduces the costs of litigation. Our founder, Nabil Zumout, was deep into the Internet while practicing as law as an attorney in 1999. He was searching for an expert on a case and was using Google before Google was the cool 800-pound Gorilla of search engine advertising that it is today.

At that time, Nabil determined there was no need for him to reach out to an expert witness broker to locate expertise. Information was democratized and at his fingertips. He could search for experts himself. The benefit of self-searching is his client didn’t have to pay an additional 25-50% markup on each hour billed by the expert witness. There was also no need to pay a finder’s fee for those brokers who required such.

For years we encouraged lawyers to search our site and contact experts directly. In fact, we still encourage this effort. In most situations, you can locate and communicate with the appropriate candidates for all your needs. Based on our data, we estimate about 99% of our users search the site, locate an expert, and retain them without having to contact Experts.com.

Our mission was being accomplished. For those willing to use the Internet, they could find what they needed by conducting a simple search on Experts.com. However, over the years we’ve discovered there is another group of lawyers who do not want to conduct the search themselves.

Whether they are too busy or still uncomfortable with a basic Boolean search, we do not want to lose them as customers and we do not want our experts to lose the prospective business.

Announcing our AssistedSearch Service:

To continue our mission of reducing the cost of litigation, we did not want to participate in billable hour markup or brokering of the engagements between lawyers and experts.

We determined the best way to achieve this while also efficiently connecting attorneys and experts, was to offer a flat-fee location service. For those who have read this far, our flat-fee service is $995.00.

What’s Included?

Simply reach out to us by clicking Assisted Search Request. Provide us with a brief description of the case and the type of expert you need.

  • We’ll follow up with a brief questionnaire for a clearer understanding of the nuances of the case, opposing counsel, and timeline.
  • After our communications with you, our team will begin the search, interviewing potential candidates to determine qualifications and ability to assist.
  • At the conclusion of our communications with available candidates, we will send you a report of our most qualified group of candidates with a brief description of the exchange. The referral is processed at this time.
  • Additionally, we create an account for you on Experts.com and include a link to each qualified expert. Each of your requests is tracked separately in this account. You can even communicate with the candidates through our cloud-based tracking system.
  • Our flat fee is $995 for a minimum of 6 hours of location services at an hourly rate of $165. If we are unsuccessful in providing qualified candidates, the fee is waived.
  • At no point do we add a premium to the expert’s hourly fees.

Free Database Search:

Don’t want to use our AssistedSearch service? You always have the option of searching Experts.com and communicating directly with the experts. The contact information of those actively marketing their services on our site is always available.

Ultimately, the goal at Experts.com is to make the process efficient and affordable for all parties. If you have any questions about Experts.com or our newly minted AssistedSearch service, feel free to reach out to us here.

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Creating Compelling Legal Content – Lawyers Gone Ethical Podcast

on July 20, 2018

A huge thank you to Megan Zavieh, of Zavieh Law, for having me on the Lawyers Gone Ethical podcast this week.

This week, I was honored to be a guest on the Lawyers Gone Ethical podcast from California State Bar defense attorney Megan Zavieh. It was a fun, educational experience and Megan is a fantastic host!

What I was surprised to learn is lawyers are very concerned about the ethical ramifications of creating content. The fear is not dissimilar to the concerns of expert witnesses regarding content marketing.

Granted, experts are more concerned that content created to market their services may later be used against them for impeachment purposes (if this is one of your fears, check out this post from a few years ago). Lawyers, on the other hand, are more concerned with upsetting state bar regulators.

The concerns of lawyers and experts are understandable, but they are based in fear. Lawyers can add appropriate disclaimers to their content marketing materials. Experts should not be creating any video or written publications that they cannot defend. In fact, experts can add disclaimers too. For example, “the facts of each case are different. The analysis used in this article/video/blog post may not be applicable in every case.”

The bottom line: Both sets of professionals need to get over the fear and start creating interesting and compelling content. Do so after taking proper consideration of your practice and any ethical standards which may apply. But, get started!

If you are not utilizing content marketing to expand your practice, you are missing out on the ability to distinguish yourself from your competitors.

There are reasons we encourage Experts.com members to write articles. It differentiates them from their competitors, reinforces their expertise, showcases their analytical and writing abilities, and drastically increases their online visibility.

Don’t let the fear win!

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

compelling-content

Megan Zavieh’s Contact Information:

Website – www.zaviehlaw.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ZaviehLaw

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lawyers-gone-ethical/id1352001379

Stitcher – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/megan-zavieh/lawyers-gone-ethical

Oh, and if you love how the podcast was produced and edited, you should definitely check out Abboud Media.

 

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Technology and Awareness: How to bridge the access to justice gap?

on February 22, 2018

Our final blog post of 2017 highlighted an upcoming event I’m really enthusiastic about. I’ll be moderating a panel at the ABA-GPSolo/GLSA 2018 Joint Spring Meeting (April 25-28, 2018) in New Orleans. This is the GLSA’s (Group Legal Services Association) annual educational conference.

Why am I so excited? Well, it will be held during Jazz Fest in New Orleans! Why wouldn’t I be excited?!

In all sincerity, I’m thrilled to be sharing the panel with some awesome lawyers. Our group has worked diligently to create a valuable presentation for our audience.

Five individuals, with little prior knowledge of each other, have come together through solid teamwork to create a coherent presentation underlining the obstacles facing client access to justice and some steps to improve access.

What started as “legal technology and the access to justice” has morphed into a topic of technology and awareness building to bridge the access to justice gap.

I can’t wait to meet my teammates and the readers of this blog post in person! Allow me to introduce you to the team:

Sarah Kieny:

Sarah is a shareholder in the Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis law firm and has been with the firm since 1997.  Sarah received her J.D. from Creighton University Law School in 1994, and a BA in Religious Studies in 1991 from Regis College in Denver, Colorado.  Sarah is the firms’ LegalShield Supervising Attorney where she manages LegalShield front line 20+ attorneys and staff in day-to-day operations. She has also spearheaded the firms’ involvement in raising community awareness about the availability of legal services. Sarah has coordinated a quarterly “Law Day” program with Denver’s nonprofit organization, Warren Village, for the specific purpose of offering legal access to single parents who are transitioning to self-support through education, training, and commitment.

Wayne Hassay:

Wayne is the managing partner of Maguire Schneider Hassay, LLP. He joined the firm in 1998, and became a partner in 2004. He has been with the firm almost 20 years, practicing in the areas of personal injury, probate, and collection, plus he lectures regularly on the non-traditional delivery of legal services. His firm services the legal needs of over 36,000 Ohioans as part of legal service plan, LegalShield.

Wayne and I are sort of kindred spirits, although we approach legal technology and access to justice a bit differently, since I don’t practice. In a Law Practice Today article from last year, Wayne stated “Client-facing tech is the norm in so many professions. Can you imagine working with a bank that does not have client-facing technology? No. Yet law lags far behind.” Let’s work to correct this, Wayne!

Kerry Lavelle:

Kerry began his own practice, Lavelle Legal Services, in 1989, focusing primarily on matters of tax law. Today the firm, now known as Lavelle Law, Ltd., has grown to include 22 attorneys with practice groups in tax, business law, commercial real estate, estate planning, criminal law, home health care, small business, gaming law, bankruptcy, corporate formation, family law, litigation, grocery law, employment law, residential real estate, securities, and LGBT law. He is the author of The Business Guide to Law: Creating and Operating a Successful Law Firm, published by the Division. In 2016, Kerry was designated a Top 100 Attorney in Illinois by Super Lawyers. In 2015, his firm was one of 13 law firms nationally to receive the Beacon of Justice Award for pro bono service from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA).

Tony Clayton:

Tony is the managing partner of Clayton, Fruge & Ward. He graduated from Southern University’s Law Center in 1991 and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar that same year. While establishing his private practice, Tony has had the privilege of also being involved in other areas of the legal profession, including District Court Judge for the Louisiana Supreme Court and Special Prosecutor for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Moderator / Panelist, Nick Rishwain:

I am the Vice President of Client Relations & Business Development for Experts.com, an online marketing platform for expert witnesses and consultants. In my free time, I am quite active in social media. In 2015, I founded and co-host a live video vlog, LegalTechLIVE, which advocates for and highlights the advancements in the legal technology sector. Additionally, I co-host SocialChatter, a live, weekly, social media news show.

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Paul Manafort Indicted: What expert witnesses can we expect to see from defense and prosecution?

on October 30, 2017

Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the US Presidential Election has resulted in the indictment of Paul Manafort and one of his business associates, Rick Gates. It has been reported that a third individual, George Papadopolous, has pleaded guilty for making false statements to the FBI.

None of this is particularly surprising. On Friday we learned the first indictments would be handed down as early as today, and that is exactly what happened. As of this writing, Paul Manafort has turned himself into the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

ABC News reported the list of charges against Mr. Manafort and Mr. Gates. The 12 counts include: “conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, serving as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts.”

We are not writing to take any political side and it should be noted that an indictment does not mean the defendants are guilty of the charges. In fact, they are innocent until proven guilty. Rather, we wanted to discuss the expertise which may come into play in this matter.

What types of expert witnesses can you expect to see?

Forensic Accountants:

Based on the counts enumerated above, it appears the FBI has followed the money. As such, we expect the forthcoming prosecution will hinge on financial transactions and accounting related issues. As stated above, Manafort and Gates were charged with seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts in addition to conspiracy to launder money. If money is flowing in and out of multiple bank accounts forensic accountants are going to be needed to analyze the transactions and explain those transactions to the trier of fact.

Money Laundering / Anti-Money Laundering Experts:

Are you surprised to hear this type of expertise exists? Money laundering experts may have a background in forensic accounting, financial fraud, banking, and banking compliance. Again, there was a charge of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Failure to report these accounts might be a compliance issue. The prosecution could argue such a failure was purposeful and intended to evade reporting. Whereas, the defense may contend failure to report was accidental or negligent. We expect to see both sides presenting expert evidence on financial transactions and reporting.

Computer/ Digital Forensics:

Nothing in the counts of the indictment specify a digital forensics expert will be necessary. We are assuming that many of the financial transactions were done electronically and therefore attributing the transactions to the defendants may require electronic discovery and other digital forensic investigation / analysis.

This list should not be viewed as exhaustive. Looking at the counts in the indictment, it appears the upcoming case will be heavily litigated on financial matters. Going forward, we will look for news items related to forensic accounting and inform our readers as we know more.

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Expert Witnesses Embrace Digital Media Platforms – Interview with Attorney Mitch Jackson

on October 27, 2015

On October 14, 2015, Experts.com interviewed Expert Witness and 2013 California Lawyer of the Year, Mitch Jackson, on the benefits of Expert Witnesses embracing digital media to promote their services. To watch the interview, click the link below.

Mitch Jackson was admitted to the California Bar in 1986 and immediately opened up his own practice representing victims of personal injury and wrongful death. In 2009, Mr. Jackson was named Orange County “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. In 2013, he received the California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award for litigation. According to California Lawyer Magazine, the CLAY Award recognizes attorneys who have changed the law, substantially influenced public policy or the profession, or achieved a remarkable victory for a client or for the public and have made a profound impact on the law. Mr. Jackson is also an expert witness in legal malpractice matters.

Mr. Jackson is an active social media influencer with a strong presence on Twitter, Facebook, Periscope, Blab, Instagram, among others. In addition to his legal practice, Mitch Jackson maintains several websites promoting: livestreaming, communication, Rotary service, and, most importantly, “Being Human.” To learn more about Mitch Jackson, his practice, and his social influence, visit the following sites:

http://jacksonandwilson.com/
http://streaminglawyer.com
http://human.social/

Experts.com was established to allow professionals a platform to showcase their areas of Expertise. Since 1994, we have been providing millions of users worldwide with access to specialized knowledge. We believe our members should have control over monetizing their specialized knowledge and expertise. In this day in age of high technology, there is no need for a broker or middle man to mark up fees or market your expertise. Put your best foot forward with Experts.com.