As an expert witness, one of the greatest honors you can receive is when opposing counsel, after a matter concludes, reaches across the aisle and hires you for future cases. It’s not just a new client; it’s a profound validation of your professionalism, impartiality, and the quality of your work.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few such experiences. One that particularly stands out took place during a nine-hour deposition in Denver. Now, attorneys really shouldn’t be doing nine-hour depositions, but I was happy to do it! I genuinely love depositions. The session was a mix of laughter, humor, and very serious, intense discussions—a bit of a war of attrition, you could say. 

Throughout the long day, I made sure to remain professional and respectful to everyone involved, especially to opposing counsel. My goal wasn’t to win an argument but to provide an impartial and ethical perspective on the standard of care.

After the deposition, we shook hands, and everything was very professional. Then, within a few months of the matter concluding, I started receiving emails from the opposing law firm asking me to review cases for their attorneys. We’ve had a great working relationship ever since. This is what you should strive for if you’re an expert witness. The most important thing is to be professional at every stage of the game and to be respectful. This builds the trust that shows you are not a hired gun, but a true authority whose opinions are respected, regardless of which side is paying the bill.