On March 3, 2020 at 2:00pm (ET), The TASA Group, in conjunction with transportation engineer, Nazir Lalani, will present a $35, one-hour interactive webinar presentation, The ABCs of Expert Witnesses: Best Practices for Setting Up and Operating Your Expert Witness Business for all expert witnesses.
Learning Objectives:1. Identify five common pitfalls for starting up an expert witness business2. List ten objectives that must be accomplished for a successful expert business3. Illustrate best practices for communicating with new and existing clients4. Discuss five ways of minimizing overhead expense and streamlining operations5. Demonstrate five optimum ways to keep a business solvent
Starting up and operating an expert witness business is not well described in any well know publications. It is very easy to make critical mistakes during the initial phase of the business and maintain a successful operation. The presentation will cover the following topics and include more details:
• Establishing a business identity
• Selecting a business plan and funding it
• Establishing best payroll practices
• Effective C.V.s for experts
• Billing rates and retainers
• Use of referral agencies
• Keeping existing clients satisfied
• Invoicing practices/tracking receivables
• Essential equipment for field work
• Keeping overhead costs low
• Avoiding rogue clients
• Marketing for new clients
Nazir Lalani is a transportation engineer. Although a portion of the program will refer to Tort Liability legal processes, the content of the course is applicable to non - Tort Liability experts as well because the pitfalls of starting and operating an expert witness business are similar.
Presenter:
Nazir Lalani, P.E., is President of Traffex Engineers Inc. Ventura, California specializing in transportation engineering for local agencies, technical training and expert witness services. In June 2009, Nazir completed ten years’ service as the Deputy Director of the Ventura County Transportation Department. Nazir has also held local government positions with the Cities of Ventura, California, Lakewood, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona as well as Santa Barbara County, California. He began his career with the Greater London Council in England. Nazir obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Exeter in Devon, England and Master’s Degree from ASU. He holds engineering licenses in Colorado and California. Nazir is a course instructor and traffic safety expert for UC Berkeley. He was the Institute of Transportation Engineer’s International President in 1999. Nazir has received numerous awards from ITE including Burton W. Marsh Award, Coordinating Council Special Recognition Award and the ITE Western District Lifetime Achievement Award.