Using expert testimony two-edge sword

Expert Opinions

By Norman Ruber

Norman Ruber has been an Illinois trial lawyer for approximately 40 years. In bench and jury and trials in both Illinois and federal court, he has presented and cross-examined numerous expert witnesses. These include physicians, medical examiners, evidence technicians, economists, psychiatrists, psychologists, accountants, architects, business valuation experts, and other forensic professionals. His current column focuses on Illinois and federal court opinions related to expert witness disclosure and testimony. Comments can be sent to normanruber@outlook.com.

Posted January 2, 2019 12:34 PM

An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less. —Nicholas Murray Butler, American educatorWhen evaluating the nature and extent of expert witness testimony, it is useful to keep in mind that Illinois Rule of Evidence 702 provides that an expert may testify “in the form of an opinion or otherwise.”This “opinion or otherwise” language in the Illinois rule is identical to that in Federal Rule of Evidence 702, also relating to expert witness testimony.The federal advisory committee …

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