17th Annual National Expert Witness Conference June 19-20, 2008 Hyannis, MA The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis   SEAK, Inc. is pleased to present its Seventeenth Annual National Expert Witness Conference. Expert witnesses from all disciplines and with all levels of experience will benefit from multi-disciplinary advanced techniques. Nationally recognized attorneys, experts, judges, and educators will discuss all aspects of expert witness testimony, ethics, and trial techniques. Conference participants will be presented with practical suggestions for succeeding as expert witnesses. This highly-acclaimed two-day program will include lectures, trial demonstrations, lively question and answer periods, and intensive breakout sessions led by a highly qualified faculty.   Conference registrants will have an opportunity to improve their skills while networking and meeting other professionals in a stimulating and collegial atmosphere. We are proud to present eight preconferences this year including two new preconferences. We are also pleased to provide continental breakfast each day, an hors d'oeuvre reception on June 19 and lunch with faculty each day. Our faculty this year includes four distinguished judges. Our expanded program will permit participants to obtain even more information than in past years. We are very pleased to offer continuing education credits this year.

Overview Complete Schedule Preconference Info Registration Information Registration Form Register ONLINE Continuing Education Credits Hotel & Travel Information Seminar Brochure (pdf) SEAK Expert Witness Directory Seminar FAQs     2009 Dates Main Conference: June 25-26, 2009 Preconferences: June 23-24, 2009   Hyannis, MA

Seminar Leader: Steven Babitsky, Esq.

• Seminar Preconferences:
  
  Expert Report Writing Workshop
  June 17, 2008
  Law School for Expert Witnesses
  June 17, 2008
  How to Become the Go To Expert Witness in Your Field
  June 17, 2008
  
  How to Become a Dangerous Expert Witness
  June 18, 2008
  How To Start and Build A Successful Expert Witness Practice
  June 18, 2008
  Advanced Deposition Skills Workshop
  June 18, 2008
  Testifying Skills Workshop
  June 18, 2008
  The Biggest Mistakes Experts Make: And How to Avoid Them
  June 18, 2008

Here's what past attendees have to say!

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

"The presenters were excellent."

"This is my fourth year of attendance. I keep coming as long as I go away with new gems of knowledge or technique."

"Informative, attention holding, practical! Exceeded my expectations in terms of what I would be able to take back with me!"

"User friendly."

"Very professionally done."

"By far the best value of all training I've attended."

"Good job - well done, excellent conference."

"All speakers were outstanding and should be invited back."

"Thanks for the great opportunity to enhance my skills."

"Right on point."

"All speakers were very good."

"All speakers were superb. I would not hesitate to recommend the seminar to others and already have!"

"Very well done, great faculty."

"Excellent presentations, information, handouts, and interaction."

"High quality - exceeded expectations."

"Well done, on time, excellent speakers and good topics."

"All speakers and presentations were very good."

"Impressed with the intellectual atmosphere, the thought-provoking questions of the attendees and the insight brought by judges, lawyers and trial consultants."

"Excellent, clear speakers, very good breakout sessions."

"Very professional, well organized."

"Your program was a pot of gold."

 

Hotel & Travel Information:

• Hotels
• Travel Information

Hotels:

The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis:
A limited block of rooms has been reserved at convention rates ($152.00 + tax) at the site hotel (The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis). These rooms will be assigned on a first request basis. Due to the large influx of people to Cape Cod in June, hotel space will be at a premium. To reserve your room, please call 508-775-7775 and mention the SEAK Expert Group. The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis is surrounded by 52 totally private acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and offers an 18-hole par 54 golf course, a private patio or balcony for the 224 deluxe guest rooms, a complete fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a complete spa, and free parking. The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis is conveniently located within walking distance of Main Street with its many shops and restaurants. Public beaches and the ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are minutes from the hotel.

Alternative Lodging:
As a tourist destination, the Hyannis area has numerous alternative lodging options for different tastes and budgets. SEAK has reserved a block of overflow rooms at the Holiday Inn Hyannis. The discount rate is ($149 + tax single/double). To make your reservations, please call 508-775-1153 and identify yourselves as being with SEAK, Inc. The Holiday Inn Hyannis is approximately 2.5 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis and is located adjacent to the Cape Cod Mall and several restaurants. The Holiday Inn Hyannis was recently renovated and features an indoor pool, restaurant, modern gym and free hi-speed internet access. If you prefer a hotel on the harbor, across from the Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket ferry docks and within walking distance of downtown/waterfront restaurants, we suggest The Hyannis Harbor Hotel (www.hyannisharborhotel.com), which is located 1.3 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. If you are coming with your family or colleagues and prefer a suite or townhouse with kitchenette, we suggest the Red Jacket Green Harbor Resort, which is located directly on Lewis Bay, 2.9 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. If you would like to stay at an oceanfront beach resort with a private beach, jet ski rentals, etc., we suggest the Red Jacket Beach Resort. The Red Jacket Beach Resort is 6.1 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, but please note that traffic can be heavy in the afternoons coming back from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis.

Getting to Hyannis:

The two major airports closest to Cape Cod are Logan International Airport in Boston, MA (70 miles) and T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (80 miles). Barnstable Airport is a five minute drive from the Sheraton, but this is a commuter airport that has smaller planes and fewer flights. T.F. Green is preferred over Logan (if you can get a non-stop flight) as it is usually less congested. Rental cars, taxis and car service are available at all three airports.

Cape Cod:

Cape Cod is a true destination spot that features beautiful beaches, warm water, great restaurants, historic towns, sightseeing, kayaking, whale watching, museums, numerous bike trails, shopping, nightlife, championship golf, and world famous boating. Cape Cod is also gateway to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. For more information on what to do on Cape Cod, please visit www.capecod.com.

 

Scheduleclick to view the complete schedule

• Thursday, June 19, 2008
• Friday, June 20, 2008

Thursday, June 19, 2008

7:00-8:00Registration & Continental Breakfast
 

8:00-9:00A View From The Bench
The Honorable Reggie B. Walton
Washington, DC
 

9:00-10:00What to Do and Not to Do as an Expert Witness: Time Tested Successful Strategies
Gerald S. George, PhD
Lafayette, LA
 

10:00-10:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

10:15-11:15How Expert Witnesses Destroy Themselves: Lessons from High Profile Cases
Daniel Horowitz, Esq.
Oakland, CA
 

11:15-12:15How Lawyers Dig Up Dirt on Expert Witnesses
Jim Robinson, Esq.
Hermosa Beach, CA
 

12:15-1:15LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY-NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

1:15-2:05Breakout Sessions:  Choose  One

A.  Excelling During the Initial Call From Counsel
David T. Tirella, Esq.
Tampa, FL

OR

B.  Excelling at Direct Examination:  What Expert Witnesses Need to Know
James R. Hitchner, CPA/ABV/ASA
Atlanta, GA
 

2:05-2:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

Breakout Sessions:  Choose One

2:15-3:05A.  Mock Trial
David Kochman, Esq.
New York, NY
  and
Kristopher Seluga
Stamford, CT

OR

B. Making the Complex Understandable: What Works for Expert Witnesses
Dr. Seigerman
Livonia, MI
 

3:05-3:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

Breakout Sessions:  Choose One

3:15-4:15A.  When Expert Witnesses Need to Retain Counsel:  Daubert & Beyond
Shannon M. Kos, Esq.
Southfield, MI

OR

B.  Delivering Effective Testimony:  Arbitrations, Mediations, Judge and Jury Trials
Edward L. Fronapfel, MS, PE
Arvada, CO
 

4:15-5:30RECEPTION:  NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

 

Friday, June 20, 2008

7:00-8:00Continental Breakfast
 

8:00-9:00The Perfect Expert Witness
Judge Mark I. Bernstein
Philadelphia, PA
 

9:00-10:00Courtroom Communication: Active Listening Skills for Experts
David M. Benjamin, PhD
Chestnut Hill, MA
 

10:00-10:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

10:15-11:15Effective Presentation of Expert Witness Testimony
Jaine E. Fraser, PhD
Dallas, TX
 

11:15-12:15How to Excel During Impeachment Attempts:  Lessons for Expert Witnesses from High Profile Cases
Douglas Branson, Esq.
Pittsburgh, PA
 

12:15-1:15LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY-NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

1:15-2:05Breakout Sessions:  Choose One

A.  How to Excel at Videotaped Depositions:  What Every Expert Witness Needs to Know
David L. Kwass, Esq.
Narbeth, PA

OR

B.  Preparing to Excel at Trial:  Advanced Techniques for Expert Witnesses
Bernard F. Pettingill, Jr., PhD
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
 

2:05-2:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

Breakout Sessions:  Choose One

2:15-3:05A.  Expert Witness Presentation Skills: How to Excel
Dave E. David, MD
Norfolk, MA

OR

B.  The Expert's Report:  How to Avoid Disaster
Douglas W. Squires, Esq.
Columbus, OH
 

3:05-3:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
 

Breakout Sessions:  Choose One

3:15-4:15A.  How Expert Witnesses Can Assist Counsel: Expanding Role for Experts
Lou Reiter
Greenville, RI

OR

B.  Destroying Expert Witnesses:  How Lawyers Exploit Weaknesses of Experts
Lynn M. Roberson, Esq.
Atlanta, GA