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Provides Testimony In

Defamation, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Publicity, Promotions, Crisis Communications, Management, Image Development, Negative Image, cause repair, Branding, Journalism, Media or Press Exposure, Relations, Analysis, Pre Litigation publicity, Litigation Support, Public Perception, Malpractice or Improper Billing Communications Professionals, Marketing Communications, Consequences of Failure Perform of Communications Professionals, Defamation, Public Image, Invasion of Privacy, Libel, Slander, PR

EXPERT WITNESS EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Expert has served as an expert witness in litigation on behalf of both defendants and plaintiffs and has been deposed and testified both in court and arbitration hearings. Expert is well qualified to serve as an expert witness based on his 52 year career in public relations, marketing, advertising, journalism and communications.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Public Relations
  • Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Journalism
  • Defamation (Libel, Slander)
  • Damage to Image or Reputation
  • Crisis Communications/Management
  • Media Operation/Procedures/Ethics
  • Effects From Negative or Inaccurate Media Exposure
  • Effects from Litigation Media Exposure
  • Public Perception/Opinion
  • Communications Analysis/Evaluation
    Cause and Repair
  • Consequences of Failure to Perform
  • Professional Malpractice
  • (Improper Guarantees/Flawed Strategies/Bad Execution)
  • Over or Improper Billing
  • Communications Firm Operation, Procedures, Policies

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Expert is veteran public relations, marketing and communications executive and counselor with 52 years of experience, including the past 43 years operating his own firm, based in Los Angeles. He has provided counsel and services to clients in a broad range of business, professions and industries locally, nationally and internationally.

While a communications generalist in the breadth of his professional background and experience (journalism and public relations), Expert is a nationally recognized expert in communications for law and litigation, crisis communications and image repair and counseling. His firm was a national pioneer in creating and developing public relations and marketing/communications programs for the legal profession (having represented over 130 law firms) and has provided litigation support (communications) for hundreds of trials and cases throughout the United States.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Prior to founding his firm in 1978, this expert’s work experience consisted of serving in the following positions in the fields of journalism, promotions and public relations:

  • New York Times Newspaper Reporter
  • Los Angeles Beautiful, Inc. Non Profit Public Relations Director
  • Harshe, Rotman & Druck National PR Firm Assistant Account Executive
  • Burson-Marsteller, Inc. National PR Firm Account Executive
  • Atlantic Richfield Plaza Shopping Center Promotion Director
  • Doremus & Company National PR Firm Account Supervisor
  • Fisher & Associates, Inc. PR Firm President

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Among the professional, business and trade organizations Expert has belonged to (and served leadership positions in), include:

  • Public Relations Society of America (Executive Committee Member of Counselor’s Academy)
  • Public Communicators of Los Angeles (officer for five years)
  • Institute of Management Consultants (board member)
  • American Heart Association (Vice Chairman, Communications Committee)

LECTURES AND PUBLICATIONS

Throughout his professional career, this expert has spoken and written on a wide variety of subjects related to public relations, marketing and communications in general.

Lectures/Presentations – He has lectured at universities (e.g. UCLA), to national conventions
(American Bar Association) and at a variety of speaking forums (e.g. weekly/monthly meetings, seminars, symposiums) of a variety of professional and business organizations.

Publications – He has written approximately 50 articles for a variety of local, regional and national general, business, professional and trade publications, online and offline, including newspapers, magazines, newsletters and websites.

EDUCATION

San Jose State College
Bachelor of Arts degree
Public Relations (1966)
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Periodic courses to upgrade knowledge.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

While in the United States Army (1966-68), Expert served in the Public Information Office in West Germany and provided traditional public relations counsel and services.

MEDIA EXPERT INFORMATION SOURCE

Because of this vast experience, Expert has been utilized by the mass media nationally as an expert media information source on news, issues and matters relating to litigation communications, image development and repair, controversial people/businesses and those facing a crisis (articles and video tape examples available upon request). One prime example, during and between the O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials, he was often interviewed by media both in this country and around the world.

LEGAL BACKGROUND

Expert’s firm was possibly the first firm in the United States representing the legal profession beginning the day after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bates v. Arizona
Decision (1978). Over the years, the firm has represented over 125 legal entities, including law firms, bar associations, bar review courses and lawyer referral services. As a result, this expert has been involved in hundreds of litigation cases and trials, handling the communications as part of the litigation strategy. Therefore, he has extensive knowledge, experience and experience in all aspects and phases of the litigation process.

EXPERT WITNESS EXPERIENCE

  • This expert is an experienced expert witness having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in 94 cases in 31 states throughout the United States (California, New York, Florida, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, Utah, Tennessee, New Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, New Jersey, Louisiana, Massachusetts) plus the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.).   He has testified in nearly 20 depositions, five trials in state and federal courts and three arbitrations hearings.Following is an overview of the type, nature and diversity of cases he has participated in:

DEFAMATION

  • Served as an expert witness in a defamation case representing the defendant who was accused of trying to divert attention from the Russian interference/2016 election scandal by falsely accusing Plaintiff of being the source of the DNC emails provided to WikiLeaks. (Washington, D.C.)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant in a defamation case brought by the Defendant, a prominent journalist, for comments he made in retaliation for her accusing him of sexual assault and rape. (New York, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a prominent New York City sex crime official in a defamation case against Netflix and the director and writer of an award-winning mini-series based the plight of and subsequent trial. (New York, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff, a psychologist, in a defamation lawsuit against the American Psychological Association and two law firms who claimed that he colluded with the Department of Defense to counsel and train the military on enhanced interrogation techniques. (Washington, D.C.)
  • Served as an expert witness in a defamation case representing the plaintiff, the ex-husband of an actress, who filed a lawsuit against her for false and defamatory statements she made about his conduct during their marriage in a book she wrote about her life. (Austin, Texas)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case. The plaintiff is a doctor and the defendant is one of the nation’s largest health care providers. The company sent out false information on the plaintiff saying he had been sanctioned and also was unable to write prescriptions. The company first refused and then was slow in rectifying error causing damage to the plaintiff’s reputation and practice. (Tampa, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a defamation case. Plaintiff was accused of insider trading and terminated by her employer, one of Wall Street’s largest stock brokerage firms.  (Washington, D.C.)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a student, in a defamation case against Louisiana State University related to his expulsion from its law school. (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a 27-year employee, in a defamation case against the Town Manager for false statements and misrepresentations of his conduct with youth. (Andover, Massachusetts)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a defamation case who claimed the defendant (An Automobile Association) had issued false statements about its company that resulted in lost business. (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a defamation case involving false statements that a woman in Brussels made on the internet and to law enforcement about alleged criminal activity of a U.S. Citizen. (Cleveland, Ohio)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant, a restaurant, in a defamation case relating to the disparagement of a law firm in a Yelp review. (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant, a newspaper, in a defamation case in which the Plaintiff alleges the newspaper accused her of murder in a series of articles. (San Francisco, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a content removal and storage service, who was allegedly defamed by an Insurance Company affiliate. (Mesa, Arizona)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case. The plaintiff is a branch manager of a large national bank who was accused by a competitor of being unethical, incompetent, unprofessional and having no skills by a competitor in a series of communications to others in their industry.  (Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, an airline pilot who suffered several reputation damage from a false alcohol test result issued by national laboratory which resulted in a suspension by the airline. (West Palm Beach, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness on behalf of defendant in a defamation case involving an internet blog that expressed great displeasure with a major community theatre and its artistic director who had fired the defendant for his personal sexual life as it intersected with his duties at the theatre. (Spokane, Washington)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiff in a defamation case involving two prominent women in the African-American community, one of which used social media and electronic communications to defame the other. (Denver, Colorado)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a Circuit Court Clerk, in a lawsuit against a Circuit Court Judge, for defamation based on illegal efforts to have her removed from her elected position. (St. Louis, Missouri)
  • Served as an expert witness for the defendant in a case in which the defendant filed a counterclaim for defamation against the plaintiff, a former employer. After the defendant resigned and started his own business, the plaintiff initiated a series of negative communications within the industry which damaged the defendant’s image and reputation. (Minneapolis, Minnesota).
  • Served as expert witness on behalf of plaintiff (doctor) in a defamation case whereby his reputation in the medical community was damaged. (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
  • Provided counsel to defendant (car dealership) in defamation case involving alleged factual errors in direct mail solicitation letter which damaged reputation of plaintiff. (Oakland, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant in a defamation case in which an events planner accused the defendant of disparaging the company and making false statements about its capabilities and performance. (Sacramento, California)
  • Provided counsel to a defendant in a case involving two insurance companies that had a dispute over an action taken by one of them. Plaintiff sued for defamation claiming defendant misrepresented the action taken and made false statements that caused damage to its reputation. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs in a defamation case involving one company disseminating a variety of untrue statements about a competitor specifically to damage its reputation and good will in the industry. (Pensacola, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case involving an internationally prominent doctor suing his ex-wife who made a series of disparaging comments and false statements about him to family, friends and business colleagues. (La Jolla, California)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs in a defamation case representing the contractor and property management company that were accused of failing to eliminate health hazards on a military base in Hawaii as well as not disclosing them to current and prospective residents. (Honolulu, Hawaii)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case involving false statements made by a company against a former employee which claimed he committed illegal acts. (Orange County, California)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff – an attorney and political figure – in a defamation case in which numerous individuals made negative comments about her on several social media forums on the internet. (Orange County, California).
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a school teacher, in a defamation lawsuit she brought against the school for allegations of racism and bigotry associated with an action taken against an child of middle eastern heritage. (Maplewood, New Jersey)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs (two separate cases joined as one) in a defamation lawsuit involving two national associations and a major certification company in the real estate home inspection and testing industry. (Denver, Colorado)
  • Served as an expert witness for a cross-complainant (a developer) who claimed that the plaintiff (a homeowner) defamed him in respect to a residential complex under construction adjacent to the plaintiff’s residence. (Lynwood, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a multi-dimensional business and entertainment complex, in a defamation case against a school district which had harmed its reputation in response to postings on Facebook and Twitter which the defendant deemed to be misogynistic and racist. (Riverside, California)
  • Served as an expert witness for the defendant in a defamation case in which an accountant claims that a client defamed him by posting untrue, derogatory statements on an internet review site. (Los Angeles, California)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case involving a series of highly negative false allegations made on a social media forum disparaged a nonprofit organization and its President. (Broward County, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a defamation case involving a negative internet review posted by a former employee of a construction company that caused severe reputational harm. (Mesa, Arizona)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff, a law firm, which was the subject of defamatory remarks made by a former client regarding misappropriate and illegal handling of funds resulting from the settlement of a case. (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff, a medical service provider, in a defamation case against the CEO of a Chief Executive Officer of a hospital which it provides services to. (Burlington, Colorado)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a construction company, in a defamation case against a company which notified insurance companies that it was guilty of overbilling and fraud. (Maricopa County, Arizona)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff (a manufacturer of nutritional products) in a defamation/reputational harm case involving a former distributor who engaged in a campaign to disparage the company. (Salt Lake City, Utah)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a medical clinic, in a defamation case in which it was accused of illegally and improperly vaccinating children. (Cumberland, Kentucky)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant, a manufacturer, in a lawsuit filed by an ex-employee who started a rival business and sued it for defamation. (Riverside, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a manufacturer of flooring in a defamation case against a competitor who made false claims regarding its manufacturing process. (Naples, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness for the Plaintiff, a commercial real estate company, in a defamation case against a competitor who disparaged it through emails and advertising. (Los Angeles, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a contractor, who was disparaged by false statements made during a bidding process for a school project. (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
  • Served as an expert witness representing plaintiffs, both former city employees, in two lawsuits brought against the City of Delray Beach, Florida for defamation. (Delray Beach, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a war veteran and former police officer, in a defamation lawsuit emanating from an online campaign of disparagement initiated and coordinated by a former associate. (Suffern, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant in case involving two former business partners, one of which allegedly created five websites to disparage the other. (Maricopa County, Arizona)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant and counter-claimant, a nationally prominent attorney, who was defamed through allegations made by the plaintiff through words and actions in conjunction with a legal dispute. (New York, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a national pool manufacturer in a defamation lawsuit against a competitor in the same industry. (Tampa, Florida)
  • Served an as expert witness representing the Respondent-Counterclaimant, a financial planning firm which filed a counterclaim for defamation against another financial planning firm in a dispute over the termination of a mutual business relationship. (Orange County, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant in a defamation lawsuit filed by a man who claimed she defamed him in front of patrons in a bar of a hotel accusing him of rape. (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • Served as an expert witness representing two plaintiffs, both high school students, who filed individual lawsuits which were consolidated) against a private school for defamation associated with their expulsion. (Cleveland, Ohio)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the defendant, a pharmaceutical industry executive, in a lawsuit brought by his ex-partner for defamation in conjunction with a federal lawsuit. (Irvine, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiffs, two county officials, in a defamation lawsuit brought against the head of a public relations firm who conducted a vitriolic communications campaign to denigrate the plaintiffs for terminating her husband’s employment. (Union County, New Jersey)
  • Represented the cross-complaintant, a manufacturer of indoor golf simulators, in a defamation lawsuit against an entertainment company for statements made in a business dispute. (Carmel, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, a construction firm, against a homeowner who was alleged in numerous postings on several internet review sites to be an alcoholic. (Cherry Hill, New Jersey)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, an internationally prominent doctor and medical researcher in a defamation case against his former employer, a renowned biomedical research institute. (San Diego, California)

DEFAMATION FROM NEGATIVE MEDIA EXPOSURE

  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff (the founder of a high profile New York City law firm) in a defamation lawsuit against the New York Post pertaining to a series of articles it published related to a legal dispute with a former partner over the control of the firm. (New York, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness in a case against the NBC television network for a report and article it presented related to the death of a baby and disparaging the mother who became prominently nationally as an advocate and spokesperson for the anti-vaccination movement. (New York, New York)
  • Served as an expert witness for the defendant in a defamation case brought by a former employee and contractor against the Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu. Plaintiff claimed the agency failed to protect the company and owner when there was significant media coverage of a major public dispute that damaged their image and reputation.  (Honolulu, Hawaii)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff (a male pilot) in a lawsuit against a major airline, Alaska Airlines, and a female flight attendant for defamation related to a false sexual assault charge she alleged in media interviews. (Seattle, Washington)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiff in a defamation case against The Huffington Post, two writers and an attorney for accusations of kidnapping and “baby-stealing” related to an adoption case. (Birmingham, Alabama)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a case involving a lawsuit against the Scottsdale Police Department for image/reputation damage that emanated from a false arrest and the resulting negative media coverage that ensued. (Scottsdale, Arizona).
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiff in a defamation case who alleged that her ex-spouse defamed her in an article in a prominent real estate publication which damaged her reputation in her industry. (Miami, Florida)
  • Represented the plaintiff, a newspaper editor in a defamation lawsuit against the editor of a rival newspaper for an article published accusing him of murder. (San Jose, California)
  • Served as expert witness for the plaintiff, Virginia College, a chain of medical-oriented colleges in a defamation lawsuit where it alleged the defendants made false accusations against it in a series of media interviews. (Jackson, Mississippi)
  • Served as an expert witness for the defendant (attorney) in a defamation case where the plaintiff (attorney) accused defendant of generating media exposure of sanctions plaintiff received from Bankruptcy Court, thus damaging reputation resulting in loss of business. (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Served as counsel/expert witness for the defendant (police) in a case where plaintiff claimed his image and business was ruined from media exposure related to actions by police after an arrest. (Charleston, West Virginia)

REPUTATION/IMAGE DAMAGE

  • Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in litigation against one of the nation’s most respected and prestigious universities, Duke University. Plaintiff was a senior at the university when he was accused of engaging in an illegal act off campus of which he was innocent.  Plaintiff was expelled from school depriving him of a degree, the loss of a major business position and negative national and international media exposure.  (Durham, North Carolina)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiffs, the largest chain of health facilities in Southwest Florida, in a lawsuit against its law firm which failed to provide proper counsel which resulted in a $130 million legal action filed by the federal government for violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The eventual settlement was the largest in U.S. History for that type of industry.  (Miami, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiffs, a plastic surgery practice and the building owner, in a lawsuit against the Defendant, a contracting firm for actions that negatively impacted one of the plaintiffs, a candidate for Governor. (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, an internationally-renowned photographer, whose career was irreparably damaged of false allegations of improper sexual conduct and child pornography. (Raleigh, North Carolina)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, the CEO of a major public utility in a case against the Nye County Sheriff’s Office involving a false arrest and reputational harm suffered from mass public media exposure and allegations of wrongdoing. (Pahrump, Nevada)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiff’s, two government workers, in a lawsuit against the City of Delray Beach, Florida for reputational harm emanating from their termination in the wake of a whistleblower action. (Palm Beach County, Florida)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a case brought by one manufacturer against another for copying its products thus infringing on its intellectual property (copyrights and trademarks). Assessed harm and damage to image, reputation and brand. (Los Angeles, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff in a dispute with an insurance company relating to unlawful instructions provided to the plaintiff by the company’s legal counsel in a previous litigation which resulted in reputational harm. (Baltimore, Maryland)
  • Served as an expert to prepare an analysis/report for an attorney who had been sanctioned by the California State Bar detailing the negative effects the publication of the sanction has had on his image and reputation thus harming his ability to practice law. (Los Angeles, California)
  • Served as an expert witness representing the Plaintiff in a case involving reputational harm emanating from a fraudulent email sent out in the Plaintiff’s name, the content of which caused him to be viewed in an unfavorable manner. (Fort Myers, Florida)
  • Served as a consultant to a residential real estate leasing company that filed a lawsuit against the University of California at Irvine based on a breach of contract and subsequent actions by the university which caused reputation harm to the plaintiff worldwide. (Orange County, California)

OTHER CASES

  • Professional Malpractice/Performance – Served as an expert witness representing the plaintiff, the National Rifle Association, in a dispute with its public relations, advertising and communications firm for improper business practices, poor performance and harmful dissemination of confidential information. (Alexandria, Virginia)
  • Journalistic Standards – Served as an expert to the Fox News Network on journalistic procedures and standards in a lawsuit brought against it by Dominion Voting Systems related to the furor emanating from the 2020 Presidential Election. (State of Delaware)
  • Right of Publicity Violation – Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff, a prominent television morning show co-anchor, in a lawsuit against Facebook, Inc. for violating a law by enabling an unauthorized and improper use of her image. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Fraudulent Sale – Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a case where the buyer of a newspaper sued the seller post-sale for breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, interference with a business relationship, etc. based on false information provided during sales process, lack of performance and detrimental actions taken after the sales. (Palm Beach, Florida)
  • Business Relationship – Served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a case where the plaintiff is a residential real estate agent who was accused of interference with a business relationship involving a client of another real estate company. A breach of ethics complaint was filed against her with no merit and the public exposure of it and other actions damaged her reputation. (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Failed Performance/Overbilling – Represented one of the nation’s largest communications companies which was a defendant in a lawsuit brought by a public relations firm claiming it wasn’t paid by them for services rendered (e.g. evaluated quality of service and strategy as well as provided and analyzed all billing to determine appropriateness and amount of money billed.  (Los Angeles, California)
  • Business Assets – Counseled a plaintiff in a divorce case on discovering assets in a firm partnership and the equity one person has in a partnership. (Los Angeles, California)
  • Professional Status – Provided counsel to a defendant in a case where a journalist claimed loss of income, property and damage to potential earnings resulting from loss of portfolio in a fire. (Walnut Creek, California)
  • Career Damage – Served as an expert witness for the defendant, City of San Diego in a case where an entertainment/media professional was struck by a police car and claimed that her injuries would have severe negative impact on her future career. (San Diego, California)
  • Identity Theft – Represented plaintiff (individual) in a defamation lawsuit against former employer (insurance company) which claimed that plaintiff after leaving company had stolen clients and was involved in identity theft. (Union City, California)
  • Business Operation – Counseled a plaintiff in a divorce case on discovering assets in a firm partnership and the equity one person has in a partnership. (Los Angeles, California)

Expert has testified in depositions and at arbitration hearings and both jury and bench court trials.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Expert and his firm have received numerous awards from public relations and marketing organizations for its counsel and service to clients during the past three decades.

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