In this episode of Cross Lab, hosts Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa welcome personal injury trial attorneys Susie Injijian and Jon Choate, along with personal injury and criminal defense attorney Russell Goodrow.

Watch as these 3 attorneys cross-examine Steve, who portrays an expert radiologist on behalf of the defense. They’ll challenge his opinion that only soft tissue injuries and pre-existing conditions—not lingering effects from MTBI—are present in the plaintiff.

What’s covered in this episode:

• Techniques for a 'yes, and' cross-examination that questions expert conclusions
• How to score points against an expert who protests too much
• The power of improvised loops to solidify words and concepts for the jury
• How to leverage the power of what an expert doesn’t know
• The offensive word that will make an expert witness bristle (even if it’s the truth)

Time Stamps

00:00 What’s Cross Lab?

3:18 How to start formulating a cross

6:22 Case Description: Sandra Little v. Grant School District & Gary Carpenter

9:20 Jon Choate’s cross: Word choice that paints a clear picture for the jury

19:35 How to stay out of an argument with the witness

29:40 Russell Goodrow’s cross: Loops to control a witness and an easy physical demonstrative

40:55 What to do when a witness that won’t answer the question

49:50 Susie Injijan’s cross: Techniques for being an effective teacher/guide for the jury

1:00:47 The word that no expert will want to hear (because it’s sooo good for you)

1:04:48 Your biggest weapon in the courtroom

1:09:44 Top takeaways of you had to cross a witness like this

Would you like to be a guest or have an idea for a future episode, reach out to us here!

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