When selecting an expert witness, their CV and spoken communication in an interview are certainly important. But there’s an even more revealing step that many attorneys unfortunately skip: requesting redacted work product. A truly credible expert, one with nothing to hide, should be ready and willing to provide examples of their past reports with sensitive client information removed.

Think of these redacted reports as a direct window into an expert’s mind and their most crucial communication tool. This isn’t just about checking a box; it’s about evaluating the very core of what they’ll deliver for your case. As you review these samples, ask yourself critical questions:

• Do they flow naturally? Is the narrative easy to follow from one point to the next?
• Are they logical and persuasive? Does the expert build their arguments in a way that makes sense and compels agreement?
• Are they clear and concise? Can you, as a legal professional, easily grasp their findings and reasoning?
• Do they sound robotic or human? An expert’s report shouldn’t read like a dry academic paper. It needs to connect with its audience.
• Would a jury understand and trust what they’re reading? Ultimately, the report’s effectiveness hinges on its accessibility to laypersons.