Round Table Group’s 2025 Engaging Experts season brought together one of the most diverse guest lineups to date, from real estate and cosmetology specialists to mycologists, linguists, mining engineers, and financial compliance professionals. This year also featured a significant rise in attorney guests, offering listeners direct insight into the expectations, pressures, and practical realities of expert and attorney collaboration.

Across all disciplines, guests illuminated what it takes to thrive as an expert witness today. Adaptability, precise communication, ethical clarity, and an unwavering commitment to truthful, well supported opinions shaped the conversations throughout the season.

Fresh Perspectives on Expert Engagement

Experts emphasized the importance of approaching every case with openness rather than assumptions. Real estate expert Michael Maxwell described treating each engagement as a unique matter, allowing him to maintain neutrality and avoid bias. Forensic cosmetology expert Laura DuPriest reinforced the importance of physical presence and courtroom demeanor, reminding us that juries form impressions long before testimony begins.

In technical fields, experts shared the challenges of simplifying highly complex topics without sacrificing accuracy. Many emphasized that understanding an attorney’s technical fluency early prevents over explaining or miscommunication.

Communication, Delivery, and Credibility

This season reinforced that even the most qualified expert can falter without clear and accessible communication. Attorney Kevin Hensley explained that communication skill often outweighs credentials when he evaluates experts. Linguistics expert Professor Stanley Dubinsky advised reading reports aloud to eliminate jargon and ensure clarity. Mycologist Dr. Nicholas Money demonstrated how visual aids can bridge the gap between deep science and jury comprehension.

Guests across disciplines described how credibility is built through composure under pressure, consistent opinions, and the discipline to answer only what is asked during deposition.

Ethics, Boundaries, and Professional Resilience

Ethical strength emerged as one of the most pronounced themes of 2025. Experts repeatedly emphasized:

• Never working without a retainer.
• Securing signed contracts before contributing work.
• Avoiding work outside one’s true lane to protect credibility.
• Maintaining objectivity even under attorney pressure.

Experts also discussed managing emotional responses, setting boundaries with attorneys, and adapting to modern testimony formats including Zoom based depositions.