A Practical Guide to Deposing Plaintiffs' Expert Witnesses in Asbestos Litigation

Anyone that defends clients in asbestos litigation knows what a pivotal role expert testimony plays in that litigation. Expert deposition testimony can have a far-reaching impact on your cases, affecting the likelihood of winning summary judgment, a case's settlement value, and the potential for a defense verdict. Because many of the issues in asbestos litigation are too complex for lay witnesses to address, much of the evidence jurors hear is in the form of expert testimony. Thus, it is imperative that you understand the role played by each type of expert witness in this litigation and how to effectively depose those experts.

During this presentation, a panel of highly experienced asbestos litigation defense attorneys will discuss the role played by certain types of experts commonly used by plaintiffs in asbestos litigation, provide tips for preparing for the depositions of those experts, and offer practical advice for deposing those experts.

Featured Speakers

	Andrew German is an Associate at Husch Blackwell LLP in their St. Louis office. Andrew defends clients in matters involving toxic tort, product liability, premises liability and personal injury. Andrew earned his J.D., cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis, where he served on the Washington University Global Studies Law Review, earned the Honor's Scholar Award and the Dean's Service Award for Pro Bono Service.
	Erica Longfield a partner with Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago, where she represents corporate clients and insurance companies in all phases of litigation. She focuses her practice in the defense of product liability and toxic tort matters, specializing in asbestos and benzene lawsuits. Erica has experience trying cases to verdict in multiple venues throughout Illinois, as well as extensive arbitration and deposition experience. She is also an active member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and Chicago Bar Association.
	Edward J. McCambridge is a founder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd. and has served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He concentrates his practice on complex tort litigation, with a focus on toxic tort and product liability actions. He has substantial trial experience in toxic tort, asbestos, product liability, automobile, premises and sports liability litigation. Mr. McCambridge has defended companies in asbestos, automobile, premises and sports liability litigation. Mr. McCambridge has lectured extensively on toxic tort and asbestos litigation across the country. Mr. McCambridge is a member of the State Bars of Illinois and Michigan and the Federal Bars of the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois, the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, the Eastern District of Missouri, and the Northern District of Indiana. He is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and the Chicago Trial Lawyers Club and is a Senior Fellow in the Litigation Council of America. He is also an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1975 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of St. Thomas in 1971.
	Gregory W. Odom of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC in Belleville is an experienced trial attorney whose practice is focused on complex business litigation matters in the areas of toxic torts, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, environmental law, and commercial litigation. He represents individuals, local businesses, and Fortune 500 companies in state and federal courts across Illinois and Missouri. He has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict and has successfully argued before the Illinois Court of Appeals. Mr. Odom received his B.A. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 2005 and his J.D. from Southern Illinois University in 2008. He is Chair of the IDC Toxic Tort Law Committee for the IDC and a member of the IDC Board of Directors. In addition to his membership in the IDC, Mr. Odom is a member of the Madison County and St. Clair County Bar Associations. He also serves as an arbitrator for the Third Judicial Circuit Court-Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Program.
	Patrick W. Stufflebeam is a partner in the St. Louis Metro Office of Tressler LLP. He concentrates his practice on the defense of civil litigation including toxic tort (asbestos, talc, and benzene), premises liability, product liability, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage issues. Patrick also maintains a practice in assisting individuals and businesses with cybersecurity and privacy issues, corporate formation, reorganization, acquisition, and contracts. Patrick obtained his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law after graduating from the Western Illinois University. He is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (twice elected Director, 2011-2017), Madison County Bar Association, International Association of Privacy Professionals, and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. Patrick holds an AV Preeminent® rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was named a 2018 Leading Lawyer by Leading Lawyers, Products Liability Defense and Toxic Torts Defense.

Continuing Legal Education Credit 

Credit has been approved with the MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois for 2.0 General CLE credit.