What are the key things to consider when choosing a survey expert?
When hiring a survey expert, the most important criteria to consider (in no particular order) are testifying skill, credentials, expertise, and availability. Look for a survey expert who can provide an admissible opinion under the Daubert-Joiner-Kumho gate-keeping tests and remain cool when testifying under oath despite intensive questioning. The expert should have prior court and deposition experience as well as strong academic and/or survey practitioner credentials. Ideally, survey research experience should cover both survey development and survey rebuttal. It is also helpful for an expert to understand economic issues and the process for calculating damages. Last but not least, an expert must be available and able to meet the demands of the case in a timely and thorough manner. Experts often work in partnership with a market research firm, and it is important to ensure that this firm is familiar with legal processes, documentation, and communications, and can provide guidance to at
