Standard of Care Expert Witnesses: 125

Paul W. Burkett, JD, CPCU, CIC, ARM,CRM, ALCM is an Insurance and Risk Management specialist. President and CEO of Snoaspen Insurance Group, Inc., Mr. Burkett began his career as a Loss Control Representative for SAFECO Insurance Company after serving as an Officer in the United States Air Force. During his career with SAFECO, he served as a Loss Control Supervisor, Loss Control Manager, Commercial Sales Representative, Division Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager, and Regional Workers Compensation Manager.

From Safeco Insurance Company, Mr. Burkett worked for Frank B. Hall & Company as a Vice President in charge of Risk Management Services. He was responsible for design and implementation of alternative insurance programs such as pools, self-insurance, and captives. From Frank B. Hall, Mr. Burkett assisted in establishing the Meadowbrook of Colorado office and focused on developing specialized group programs. Paul assisted in establishing TUITIONGard which specialized in coverage for private student loans provided through banks in the United States.

Mr. Burkett currently provides litigation support services to attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defense. He has been deposed and/or testified approximately 10 rimes in the last five years.

Areas of Expertise:

• Insurance Company Good and Bad Faith
• Agent / Broker Standard of Care
• Insurance Industry Customs and Practices
• Risk Management
• Business Contract Insurance Clause Analysis and Application
• Insurance Coverage Analysis
• Insurance Claims Disputes Analysis

View Paul Burkett's Consulting Profile.

William B. Stetson, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine with an expertise in Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Surgery of the shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Stetson spends over 90% of his time in clinical practice and research and has over ten years experience as an expert witness and in reviewing complex medical-legal issues. He is the Team Physician for the USA Men's and Women's Olympic Indoor Volleyball Teams and accompanied both teams to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. He is a former athlete himself, a two time All-American volleyball player at the University of Southern California (USC). He is also a recipient of the NCAA's prestigious Silver Anniversary Award, given to former NCAA athletes who have gone on to distinguish themselves after graduation. 

Areas of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialization:

Knee Arthroscopy Shoulder Arthroscopy Rotator Cuff Repair ACL Reconstruction Treatment of Arthritis

Knee Ligament Reconstruction Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation Shoulder Impingement / Bursitis Meniscus Repair and Meniscectomy Elbow Arthroscopy

View Dr. Stetson's Consulting Profile.

David A.Sugar, MD, is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon. He has been in practice since 1997. Working as a general Orthopaedic Surgeon, he has treated an extremely wide array of Orthopaedic conditions and injuries.

Dr. Sugar has served as the Managing Partner in a group as large as 11 doctors and worked on the Surgical QI Committee ( currently serves as the Chairman) at the 35th largest hospital in the United States. Dr. Sugar is currently the principal surgeon at Sugar Orthopaedics where they provide surgical and non-surgical treatments for muscular and skeletal problems of all types.

Litigation Support - Dr Sugar has offered expert witness services for attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant for 20 years. His services include independent medical evaluations (IMEs), medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony. Dr. Sugar's cases have a heavy emphasis on Fractures, Knee, Shoulder, Sports Medicine, and Pediatric Orthopaedics.

Areas of Expertise:

Orthopedic Surgery Occupational Medicine Chronic Pain / Pain Management Personal Injury

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Sports Medicine Medical Malpractice

David J. Brotman, FAIA, is an accomplished Senior Executive with proven career and solid experience in all aspects of Architectural and Engineering Firm Management, including project management, profit and loss, business development, mergers and acquisitions, sales and marketing, and strategic planning. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, with over fifty years of practical experience. 

Principal at Sunset Consultants, Mr. Brotman provides strategic planning and management consulting services for various entities, including those that need help with planning or architectural projects. He has served as Chairman of the City of Malibu Planning Commission where he advised on land use matters including the local coastal program, specific plans, zoning, conditional use permits, and subdivisions. Mr. Brotman spent 25 years with RTKL Associates Inc., one of the World’s largest Architect and Engineering Firms where he eventually served as its Vice-Chairman.

Presentation by: David J. Brotman, FAIA

Litigation Support - David Brotman provides expert witness services to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. His skills include all facets of Architectural practice. His worldwide, multi-million dollar project experience includes retail, office, hotel, institutional, and mixed-use. Mr. Brotman's services include affirmative and rebuttal report preparation, mediation, and trial testimony. 

Areas of Expertise:

Professional Standard of Care Construction Documents Analysis Architectural Design and Coordination Building Code Analysis Scope of Work Definition Errors and Omissions Analysis

Construction Defects & Negligence Change Order Analysis Communication Analysis Construction Administration Slip, Trip & Fall Architectural Detailing

View David Brotman's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Roy G. Taylor is a current Chief of Police with over 40 years of experience in a wide-range of federal, state, local, and private criminal justice positions. Dr. Taylor specializes as an expert witness in Police Practices and Procedures and Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Current Positions:

• Chief of Police Blue Ridge Public Safety (2014)
• President/CEO Signal 88 Security of Charlotte (2012)
• President/CEO Capitol Special Patrol (2012)
• Chief of Police Capitol Special Police (2002)
• Lt. Colonel – Provost Marshal, Army National Guard (2000)
• Antiterrorism / Emergency Management Branch Chief DoD (2007)
• Provost Marshal Joint Civil Support Task Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff (2014)

Litigation Support - Dr. Taylor is called upon to analyze cases from both defense and plaintiff perspectives. His services include case review, written reports, deposition, and trial testimony as needed. 

Areas of Expertise:

Police Standards & Practices Use of Force & Deadly Force Electronic Control Devices Standards of Conduct High Speed Vehicle Pursuits & Chases Law Enforcement Policies and Procedures

Failure to Train Law Enforcement Malpractice Failure to Supervise Violations of §1983 Civil Rights Personnel Selection & Retention Police K-9

View Roy Taylor's Consulting Profile.

Richard M. Teichner, CPA, ABV, CVA, MAFF, CFF, CRFAC, CRFAU, DABFA, FCPA, CGMA, CDFA, licensed in both Nevada and California, has over 45 years of experience in public accounting, and for approximately 25 of those years his areas of practice have been primarily providing expert services and consulting services in business litigation and family law matters. With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, Mr. Teichner's practice extends to various jurisdictions throughout the United States.  Although Mr. Teichner's services are mainly weighted toward complex business litigation and divorce matters, they also include performing valuations of businesses and business interests for estate tax and gifting purposes and for buy-sell situations. Clients have been both businesses and individuals involved in various industries, such as manufacturing, distribution, retail sales, construction, real estate development, and transportation, and in professional practices, e.g. medical, law and accounting, and other service businesses.

Litigation Matters - Expert services are provided to business litigation and family law litigation attorneys representing either plaintiffs or defendants. Presently, Mr. Teichner has testified 50 times at trial and 47 times at depositions. He has been engaged as a testifying expert or consultant in a variety of complex business litigation and family law matters. Such matters have involved forensic accounting, damages claims; contract disputes; disputes among business owners; fraud, including white collar crime; breaches of fiduciary duty; standards of care; and personal injury and wrongful death.  Family law matters have involved property division, tracing, marital waste, alimony, business valuations, and tax implications of divorce.

Additionally, Mr. Teichner provides receivership services.

Areas of Expertise:

Economic Damages / Lost Profits Forensic Accounting Financial Fraud Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Damages Divorce and Family Law Matters

Business Valuations / Appraisal Franchise Valuation Intangible Assets Appraisal White Collar Crime Standards of Care; Breach of Fiduciary Duties

Reno Office 3500 Lakeside Ct, Suite 210 Reno, Nevada, 89509 Telephone: (775) 828-7474 or (775) 530-5106

Las Vegas Office 8275 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 200 Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 Telephone: (702) 724-2645 or (702) 467-8335

Willeam A. Choby, DMD, MPA, MAGD, FICCMO, DICOI, has over 40 years of experience Dentistry and Oral Surgery. He is a Board Certified Implant Dentist that perfoms both the Surgery and the Restoration of Implant Teeth. A “Master” in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), Dr. Choby has been recognized by other general dentists as a leader and an example to other dentists of the importance of quality continuing dental education to patient care. Masters have accepted the charge to keep abreast of advances in dentistry for the benefit of patients and the betterment of dentistry. Dr. Choby is also a Fellow in the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (FICCMO), earned a Masters of Public Administration (MPA), and is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (DICOI). He is recognized as One of America's Top Dentists by the Consumers Research Council of America. Litigation Support - Dr. Choby's expertise is frequently called upon for second opinions for quality assurance companies, peer review panels, workmen's compensation disputes, automobile accident claims, dental insurance companies, physicians, attorneys, and other dentists. He has offered his expert opinion in more than 100 dental malpractice cases, inspected over 1,100 dental offices for insurance companies, and performed over 1,000 second opinion case reviews, IMEs and peer reviews. His cases have included issues concerning:

Dental Implant Surgery Dental Implant Restorations Neuromuscular Occlusion Crowns Bridges / Dentures

Root Canals Hard and Soft Tissue Lasers Extractions Cosmetic Dentistry Oral Cancer Treatment

View Dr. Choby's Consulting Profile.

Janet Grace Attard, RN IV, RNC-MNN, NRP Instructor, High-Risk OB Nurse (NICU, PP, L&D), OB Professor of Nursing.  

Ms Janet Grace Attard has over 30 years of High-Risk Acute Nursing at a variety of top teaching Hospitals throughout the United States (Johns Hopkins Cancer Center, University of Maryland Laminar Flow-Cancer Research Unit, Sloan Kettering Research Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Stanford Children’s Hospital Bone Marrow Unit, etc.

Ms. Attard provides confidential, timely, accurate consultation, litigation support, and expert witness service to attorneys, insurance companies, and multi-system hospital organizations. Jan offers thorough, detailed, fact-based medically significant chronologies, concise, factual analysis of medical records, and relevant health care documentation review in collaboration with the legal team in preparation for deposition and or trial with prompt, efficient identification of breaches in the relevant Standard of Care accurate case analysis and issue spotting. 

Ms. Attard is experienced, concise, thorough, and timely in the expert review and chronology reporting of cases involving hospital sentinel events.  

Real Estate Brokerage Expert, Manager, Educator

Jane Trust Ryan has over 27 years of experience as a licensed Real Estate professional. She has served as a Real Estate Brokerage Leader, Compliance Officer, and Transaction Manager. Shé has over 20 years of experience training 1,000+ agents in agency, law, contracts, negotiation, disclosure, compliance, and other real estate-related topics across various brokerage models. 

Ms. Trust Ryan is currently licensed as a Broker in NY, NJ, and PA, with past licenses in MD, DC, and VA. She has managed offices with 100+ agents and currently serves as Broker of Record within a network of over 400 agents.

Litigation Support - As an expert witness, Ms. Trust Ryan helps clients navigate the complexities of real estate lawsuits. She specializes in providing clear, actionable insights through thorough research and expert analysis. Her goal is to equip clients with the knowledge and information they need to make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes in their legal matters.

Areas of Expertise

Real Estate Standards of Care Real Estate Brokerage Management Brokerage Agreements Real Estate Contracts Agency Fiduciary Duties Compliance Disclosure

Code of Ethics Due Diligence Real Estate Education Agent Supervision Training & Recruiting Fair Housing Agent Misconduct Broker Malpractice Real Estate Fraud

Dan W. Wall, BSME, specializes in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics and Motor Vehicle Injury Causation, Human Factors, and Injury Prevention in Motor Vehicle Design. Mr. Wall is fully accredited with ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction), ACTAR No. 1140.

Dan Wall has conducted scientific and engineering analysis of motor vehicle collisions since 1987 for both plaintiff and the defense in civil and criminal cases. A qualified expert witness since 1987, he has offered litigation support services to insurance companies and attorneys in Arizona, California, Colorado, Tennessee and Louisiana and has testified in both Civil and Federal Courts.

Mr. Wall's past cases have involved commercial vehicle design and analysis, insurance investigations, low speed collisions and injury analysis, motorcycle collisions and rider analysis, vehicle handling and dynamics, seat belt analysis and injury mitigation, tire failures and rollover analysis, general accident reconstruction, and roadway analysis. He has conducted human factor analysis including reaction and perception, environmental effects, and general driver behavior. With a large library and the tools needed to do all types of motor vehicle reconstruction investigations, Mr. Wall is an asset to any team.

Dan Wall currently owns and rides a Harley Davidson Ultra Electra Glide Classic motorcycle and has gone through various levels of motorcycle training. He also has extensive experience as a boat operator and Marine Instructor.

For more information, visit www.wallaccidentreconstruction.com

Also view Dan Wall's article in Attorney At Law Magazine at http://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/phoenix/2014/01/17/accident-reconstruction-expert-dan-wall/

Areas of Expertise:

Mechanical Engineering Biomechanics Human Factors Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Forensic Investigation Motor Vehicle Design Dynamics and Handling Motorcycles Commercial Vehicles Rollovers Signage

Conspicuity Low Speed Collisions Marine Safety Bicycles Slip and Fall Accidents Pedestrians Accidents Tire Failure Seat Belt Issues Road Defects Off Road Driving Accidents Construction Zones Product Liability

View Dan Wall's Consulting Profile.

Jeffrey Phillip Weinstein, AIA, a California licensed Architect since 1982, with Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from USC, has been involved in the development, design and construction of office buildings, high-rise condominiums, multi-family residential podium-type projects, retail, neighborhood shopping centers and regional malls, hotels and resorts, hospitals, and schools (K-12 and University).

Expert in real estate development, government approvals, entitlements & permits, architect's standard of care, construction management, claims & defects, A/E/C agreements. Expertise includes building envelope & water intrusion, zoning & building codes, errors/omissions, destructive testing & repair, schools (DSA), hospitals (OSHPD), condominiums, commercial/retail/mixed-use projects, high-rise structures, hotels & resorts. Previous employers include Nadel and Callison Architects, Tishman Construction, Trammel Crow Company, Kaiser Permanente, and California State University.

Professional Licenses / Certifications / Affiliations:

• California Registered Architect, License #12822
• Member, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Construction Specification Institute, and Society for Marketing Professional Services
• Member, North Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review

Litigation Support: Jeffrey Weinstein has been retained as an expert witness as Owner's Representative, Construction Manager, Contract Administrator, Project Manager and Architect by Developers, Builders, Institutional Owners (Hospitals & Schools), Municipalities, and Corporate Clients. Mr. Weinstein provides professional Architectural and Construction Expert Witness opinion, testimony and services on matters, such as:

Architectural Forensic Architectural Construction Management Building Code Requirements Construction Industry Standards Professional Standard of Care Design Defects, Errors & Omissions

Construction Defects & Failures Architectural Practice & Peer Review Construction Claim Evaluation Change Order Analysis & Cost Overruns Zoning Entitlements, Land-Use, and Permitting Project Delivery - Fast-Track, Design-Build, GMP Design & Construction Accident Claims

View Jeffrey P. Weinstein's Consulting Profile.

Clinton F. Merrill, Jr., MD, has over 35 years of experience in clinical Internal Medicine and 28 years of experience in Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Merrill is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all solid tumors as well as the full range of hematologic malignancies. He has special expertise in benign hematology including: anemias, low blood cell counts, iron overload disorders, bleeding and clotting disorders. Litigation Support - Dr. Merrill offers expert witness services to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defendant. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Dr. Merrill takes pride in providing thorough record review, meticulously researched reports reflecting unbiased opinions, and excellent communication skills with the ability to make the complex understandable. Areas of Expertise:

Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Lung Cancer Tumors Leukemias Lymphomas

Myeloma Myeloproliferative Disorders Myelodysplastic Syndromes Benign Hematology Anemia Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

James M. Wheeler, MD, MPH, JD, magna cum laude in Biology / Psychology from Harvard, is an OB/GYN trained at Baylor, with subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology / Infertility at Yale. He is also a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Yale, focusing upon clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and health policy. He also earned his MPH at Yale majoring in Biostatistics, minoring in Maternal/Child Health. He graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a JD in 2005, and was invited to join the Health Law division there. He has completed ADR training, having completed training programs separately in mediation, and arbitration.

Dr. Wheeler is a former national officer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and served on several of their health policy committees including the Health Care Commission and the Hysterectomy Committee. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers on a wide array of topics in ob/gyn, with a particular emphasis on methodology. He has given over 200 invited lectures to ob/gyns, reproductive endocrinologists, radiologists, midwives, nurses, surgical technologists, law students et al. He sees himself first and foremost as a caregiver, and second to only that, as a teacher.

Dr. Wheeler has consulted in several hundred medicolegal matters for over 20 years, mostly in ob/gyn, but including family practice, internal medicine and several of its subspecialties, general surgery and several of its subspecialties, and dermatology. He has been a testifying expert before the FDA for drugs and devices, and has testified before U.S. Congressional staffers on health policy issues. He reviews for attorneys from both plaintiff and defense bars, as well as insurance companies (e.g. Pro-Assurance), and health plans (e.g. Harvard Community Health Plan). He has helped with Board of Medicine reviews, and constructing/defending class action suits. The combination of his training in medicine, basic and clinical research, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics and law make him a uniquely qualified person to review the complex issues of medicolegal cases.

Dr. Wheeler is a qualified first-reviewer, and a convincing expert during testimony. He has never been excused from a case as insufficiently expert.

Areas of expertise:

Gynecologic surgery Forceps / Vacuum Uses/ Complications Fetal Stress vs. Distress Cesarean vs. Vaginal Birth Shoulder Dystocia Pregnancy induced Hypertension / HELLP Syndrome Hysterectomy: Indications and Complications

Preterm Labor Incompetent Cervix Endometriosis Pelvic Adhesions Leiomyomata Uteri Infertility Advanced Reproductive Technology (IVF)

Jeffrey M. Wilder, DC, DABCO, FICC, has over 42 years of experience as a Chiropractor, and 38 years in private Chiropractic Practice. Engaged in private family-oriented practice as a chiropractor in Madison, Wisconsin since 1981, Dr. Wilder has completed a post-doctorate program in chiropractic orthopedics from National College and is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Specialist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Neuromuscular Medicine. This program is successfully completed by less than 1% of the nation’s chiropractors. 

Dr. Wilder has also been certified by the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, a 120-hour certificate program dealing with sports training, and the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. He has completed state requirements in physiological therapeutics, surface EMG, and clinical nutrition, among others.

Dr. Wilder has also served as an officer on the Board of Directors for the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, which commissioned the chiropractic profession’s first nationwide clinical protocol, known as, Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters: Proceedings of the Mercy Center Consensus Conference, 1993, Aspen Publishers, Gaithersburg, MD.  

A Past President of the 1,800 member Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, Dr. Wilder had one of the longest terms (6 years) in the 100+ year history of the organization. He currently serves as the representative for the chiropractic profession to the Wisconsin Medicare Carrier Advisory Commission.  He has also been a consulting expert to the state of Wisconsin's Worker's Compensation Division for the past 22 years.

Dr. Wilder has taught extensively to chiropractors around the country, providing continuing education. He has been a frequent spokesperson for chiropractic in the press, television and radio, including regular appearances on statewide Wisconsin Public Radio.

Litigation Support: Dr. Wilder has extensive experience over the past 29  years as a court-recognized Chiropractic Expert throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Dr. Wilder has served as an expert in over 300 cases of alleged Chiropractic Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Fraud Review.   He has reviewed and testified in court for both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving chiropractic treatment, including claims of:

Chiropractic Standard of Care Clinical Malpractice Negligence Sexual Boundary Issues License Issues Disciplinary Actions

Fraud Review Informed Consent Documentation Worker's Compensation Diagnosis / Evaluation Management

Merrill S. Wise, MD, is Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology with special qualifications in Child Neurology, and he is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Involved in the full-time practice of sleep medicine, Dr. Wise has evaluated and managed the full range of Sleep Disorders since 1991.

Dr. Wise evaluates children, adolescents, and adults with the full range of sleep problems and disorders. He is involved with supervision and interpretation of polysomnography (sleep studies), Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT), and integration of these findings with the clinical history in order to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Because of the population served in Memphis, Dr. Wise evaluates a large number of pilots (FedEx world hub), air traffic controllers, commercial drivers and barge pilots, rail engineers, and shift workers. He is experienced in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, and other disorders of excessive sleepiness, insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.  This expertise and experience allows him to analyse and provide valuable opinions on a wide range of sleep-related legal issues.

Litigation Support - Dr. Wise has reviewed a wide variety of cases involving both neurology and sleep medicine for greater than 20 years including report generation, testimony at deposition, and at trial. He has served on numerous national task forces and committees, as well as the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). These experiences have exposed him to the full range of sleep disorders, as well as healthcare systems, best practices and evidence-based standards of care, policies, and the legal aspects of sleep problems and disorders. 

Special Interest and Expertise:  

• Individuals with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Downstream Effects of Sleepiness on
  • Cognitive Function
  • Driving
  • Safety
  • Work
  • Behavioral Regulation