subject: Varied Approaches for Getting the Word out to Attorneys about Your Availability as an Expert Witness [print this page] Varied Approaches for Getting the Word out to Attorneys about Your Availability as an Expert Witness
Many promotional techniques exist for expert witnesses, subject only to the time, energy, and/or money you are willing to put into advancing your expert witness life:
* Write articles. You can write articles for journals in your own specialty, for magazines or publications aimed at the general public. If your specialty area, like mine in computer forensics, might have appeal directly to attorneys, you can consider submitting articles to legal publications. You can also write articles on the Internet. A wide variety of websites publish useful articles about a myriad of topics.
Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook may appeal to you. If you use them for networking to attorneys, you should maintain complete professionalism in your posts. Silly, stupid, and sarcastic posts in these public settings will only return to haunt you later.
* Speak at legal conferences about your specialty.
* Become a published book author. Attorneys will frequently hunt for authors who have written entire books about the technical subject of their case. Being a published author adds credibility to your credentials when they do consider whether to hire you.
* Network with new colleagues at professional meetings. Many specialists and field professionals do not want to be expert witnesses but may still be contacted. Tell your colleagues about your interest and willingness to be an expert witness. They may then refer you to attorneys.
* You can occasionally send a focused mailing to a subset of attorneys with cases in your specialty. For example, attorneys who specialize in automotive accidents might like to know that as an automotive design engineer you are interested in expert witness work. In a mailing like this, a simple cover letter with your CV/brochure will be enough for attorneys to file your materials for later reference.
* Print advertising is another option. This could contain advertising in your local Yellow Pages, especially if your specialty is also localized, like local real estate or building appraisals. You might consider advertising in specialty legal publications, although these can be costly.
