Process
How Expert Placement Works
From initial inquiry to expert shortlist, our process is designed for the pace of litigation. We move quickly, with precision, and with full transparency.
Start a Matter InquirySubmit Your Matter Details
Complete our secure intake form with a brief description of your AI-related matter, the jurisdiction, your timeline, and any relevant background on the technical issues involved. You do not need to share confidential attorney-client communications at this stage.
- Secure, confidential intake process
- No obligation to retain
- Available for federal and state matters nationwide
Technical Triage
We conduct a structured technical triage of your matter before any expert search begins. This step identifies the specific AI systems involved, the evidentiary or liability questions at issue, and the precise technical expertise required. Triage ensures that the expert profile we search against is correctly defined, reducing the risk of a mismatch between expert background and matter requirements.
- Structured technical issue identification
- Expert profile definition before search begins
- Conflict check initiated immediately
- Initial assessment delivered within 24 hours
Expert Identification and Vetting
We search our curated network for candidates with the precise background, methodology, and availability your case demands. We evaluate each candidate's technical credentials, prior testimony experience, publication record, and suitability for the specific issues in your matter.
- Curated network, not a generic directory
- Evaluation of prior testimony experience
- Assessment of methodological rigor and courtroom readiness
Candidate Shortlist Presentation
We present a shortlist of qualified candidates with relevant credentials, a summary of their relevant experience, conflict-check status, and availability. We provide enough information for you to make an informed selection decision without requiring you to conduct your own vetting from scratch.
- Typically two to four candidates
- Credential summaries and relevant experience
- Conflict-check status and availability confirmed
Expert Introduction and Engagement
We facilitate the introduction between your team and the selected expert, and support the engagement process including retention documentation, initial matter briefing, and data request coordination. We remain available throughout the engagement to support timeline management and any issues that arise.
- Facilitated introduction and initial briefing
- Retention documentation support
- Ongoing engagement support available
Ongoing Support
We remain available as a resource throughout the engagement. If the matter evolves and additional expertise is needed, or if circumstances require a change in expert, we can assist with identifying additional resources and managing the transition.
- Available for additional expert identification
- Support for expert transitions if needed
- Technical consultation available throughout
Our Standards
What We Evaluate in Every Expert
We do not maintain a large directory of self-registered experts. We maintain a curated network and conduct targeted searches. Every expert we present has been evaluated against the following criteria.
Technical Credentials
Relevant academic credentials, publications, and demonstrated expertise in the specific AI domain at issue.
Methodological Rigor
A documented, reproducible methodology that can withstand Daubert or Kelly-Frye scrutiny.
Prior Testimony Experience
Experience with expert reports, depositions, and trial testimony, or the academic and professional background to support a credible first engagement.
Source Verification Practices
A commitment to human verification of all sources and citations, with no reliance on unverified AI-generated content.
Communication Ability
The ability to explain complex AI concepts clearly and credibly to judges, juries, and opposing counsel.
Conflict-Free Status
A clean conflict check with respect to the parties, counsel, and subject matter of the specific matter.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies someone as an AI expert witness?
An AI expert witness must have specialized knowledge in the technical area at issue, whether that is machine learning systems, algorithmic decision-making, digital forensics, or AI-generated media. Under Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and analogous state standards, the expert must be qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, and must apply reliable principles and methods to the facts of the case. The 2023 amendment to Rule 702 heightened the gatekeeping standard, placing additional emphasis on documented methodology and verifiable analytical processes. Qualifications are evaluated on a matter-by-matter basis, and the specific technical issues in dispute determine what background is required.
How is an AI expert witness different from a general technology expert?
A general technology expert may have broad familiarity with software systems, networks, or digital devices. An AI expert witness has specific expertise in the design, training, evaluation, and failure modes of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. This distinction matters because AI systems raise technical questions that general technology expertise does not address, including model architecture, training data composition, algorithmic output evaluation, and the statistical methods used to assess system performance and bias. Courts and opposing counsel increasingly scrutinize whether an expert's specific background matches the technical issues in the case.
Do your experts testify in court?
Yes. Our experts are available for deposition testimony, trial testimony, and arbitration proceedings, as well as for expert report preparation, rebuttal analysis, and non-testifying consulting roles. The appropriate role depends on the matter and is discussed during the initial consultation. We also identify experts for consulting-only engagements where the attorney does not intend to call the expert as a witness but needs technical guidance to evaluate the opposing expert's opinions.
What does the Daubert standard require of an AI expert?
Under Daubert and the 2023 amendment to Federal Rule of Evidence 702, a court must find that an expert's opinion reflects a reliable application of reliable principles and methods to the facts of the case. For AI expert witnesses, this means the expert must be able to document the specific analytical steps taken, identify the tools and data used, explain the basis for each conclusion, and acknowledge the limits of what the analysis can establish. Opinions that rely on undisclosed or unverifiable methodology are vulnerable to exclusion. We evaluate every expert we place against these standards before presenting them to counsel.
How quickly can an expert be retained?
Conflict check is completed within 24 hours of receiving your inquiry. Initial technical triage and expert identification are typically delivered within five business days. For urgent matters with imminent deadlines, we can often accelerate this timeline. Contact us directly if you have a deposition, hearing, or report deadline within two weeks.
Do you support both civil and criminal matters?
Yes. We support both civil litigation and criminal defense matters involving AI-related technical issues. This includes cases involving AI-generated or AI-processed digital evidence, algorithmic decision systems, deepfake media, digital forensics, and government AI deployments. The intake process is the same for both civil and criminal matters.
What information do I need to provide to get started?
A brief description of the matter, the jurisdiction, the technical issues involved, and your timeline is sufficient to begin. You do not need to share confidential attorney-client communications or privileged work product at the intake stage. The more specific you can be about the AI system or digital evidence at issue, the more precisely we can define the expert profile required.
Do you work on both plaintiff and defense matters?
Yes. We work with attorneys on both sides of AI-related disputes. Our role is to identify the right technical expert for the matter, not to advocate for a particular outcome. We do conduct conflict checks to ensure that an expert has no prior relationship with any party, counsel, or subject matter that would create a conflict.
What jurisdictions do you cover?
We are based in California and are available for federal and state matters nationwide. We have particular familiarity with the Northern District of California, the Central District of California, the Southern District of California, and California state court proceedings. We also work with attorneys in other federal circuits and state jurisdictions where AI-related litigation arises.
Can your founder serve as a testifying expert?
Yes. Michael Noffsinger is available to serve as a lead AI systems advisor or testifying expert in appropriate matters, particularly those involving AI reliability and failure analysis, digital evidence authentication, forensic data analysis, and AI systems deployed in government or law enforcement contexts. Contact us to discuss whether your matter is a fit for direct engagement.
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
We initiate a conflict check immediately upon receiving a matter inquiry. We check for prior relationships between our network experts and the parties, counsel, and subject matter of the case. An expert will not be presented to you if a conflict exists. If a conflict is identified after engagement has begun, we will notify you promptly and assist with identifying a replacement.
What types of AI matters do you handle?
We handle matters across the full range of AI-related litigation, including deepfake and synthetic media disputes, algorithm bias and discrimination claims, machine learning system failures and product liability, AI evidence authentication, AI intellectual property disputes, AI employment discrimination, and government AI system challenges. If your matter involves an AI or algorithmic system and you are uncertain whether it falls within our scope, contact us and we will advise whether we can assist.
What are your fees?
Our placement fees are discussed during the initial consultation and are structured to align with the scope and complexity of the matter. Expert witness fees are set by the individual expert and are separate from our placement fees. For direct advisory and expert services provided by the founder, fees are discussed on a matter-by-matter basis. We do not charge for the initial consultation or conflict check.
Get Started
Ready to Discuss Your Matter?
Submit your case details and we will identify the right AI expert for your specific litigation needs. Conflict check within 24 hours. Initial triage within five business days.