Pathway 2: Independent Expert Witness Services

Pathway 2: Independent Forensic Evaluations (IFE)

Attorney-Retained Expert Services

Submit this intake form to receive a customized proposal for independent expert services within 24 hours.

Nature of Services and Work-Product Protection

This "arm's-length" pathway is designed for any engagement where expert testimony is, or may become, a possibility. It preserves the integrity of the expert opinion by maintaining a clear boundary from the legal team's strategy. This structure provides counsel with a candid, objective expert opinion to inform case strategy, while deferring the waiver of work-product privilege until expert designation is certain. All initial work is conducted as protected attorney work product pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3) and applicable state equivalents.

Essential Protocols for a Defensible Work Product

To protect the integrity and admissibility of the expert opinion, counsel's adherence to the following two protocols is mandatory. Every engagement is conducted with the methodological rigor and ethical neutrality required to withstand cross-examination and Daubert challenges.
- The "Information Quarantine" Protocol (What NOT to Provide): The expert must be rigorously firewalled from the legal team’s strategy. To avoid tainting the expert's independence and inadvertently making your own mental impressions discoverable, you must not share any attorney work product. This includes litigation strategy, case theories, opinions on the client or opposing party, or any commentary on the facts of the case.
- The "Complete Record" Protocol (What You MUST Provide): The validity of an expert opinion depends entirely on the completeness of the information reviewed. An opinion based on a selective record is easily invalidated on cross-examination. You must provide all relevant documentation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, and other materials, especially information that may seem adverse to your case. Withholding information creates a fatal flaw in the work product.
Two-Stage Engagement Structure

Stage 1: Protected Independent Expert Analysis
This initial engagement provides counsel with a complete expert analysis while maintaining work-product protection. It includes a thorough review of all provided records and integration of data sources according to accepted forensic standards.
- Deliverable: A detailed verbal report of findings delivered exclusively to the retaining attorney. No written documentation is generated during this stage.
- Budgetary Consideration: This initial stage is typically covered by a flat fee of $3,500, providing cost predictability for the complete evaluation and verbal findings.
Stage 2: Expert Witness Designation and Formal Reporting
This separate engagement commences only upon written instruction from counsel formally designating Dr. Long as a testifying expert. This designation constitutes an explicit waiver of work-product privilege.
- Deliverable: A comprehensive forensic report suitable for court submission, detailing the methodology, data, and findings. Upon designation, all underlying data becomes fully discoverable.
- Budgetary Consideration: This stage is initiated with a flat fee of $2,000, which exclusively covers the preparation of the written report. Any subsequent services (e.g., deposition, testimony) are handled under a separate hourly agreement.
Evaluator Qualifications

Dr. Long maintains licensure under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), authorizing telepsychological services in participating states.

👉 View PSYPACT Map
👉 Access Dr. Long's CV

Jurisdictional Limitations: Services are not available in non-PSYPACT jurisdictions.
Law Firm Name
Jurisdiction: (e.g., "Superior Court of California, County of San Diego")
Your Name

First NameLast Name
Your Email*
example@example.com
Case Number (if applicable)
Your Clients First Name *
Your Clients Last Name *
Your Clients Email*
example@example.com
What state is your client currently located in?*
.
Please select the primary service you require:*

1. Independent Forensic Evaluation (IFE) of a Client. Includes a comprehensive record review, clinical interview, and psychological testing. This stage concludes with a detailed verbal report of all findings, delivered exclusively to counsel to maintain work-product protection. Standard Stage 1 Flat Fee: $3,500.2. Rebuttal Report / Critique of Opposing Expert Includes a thorough review of an opposing expert's report, file, and data to form an opinion on their methodology, analysis, and conclusions. Standard Stage 1 Flat fee: $3,500.3. Specialized Research Review for Testimony. Includes a comprehensive review of scientific literature to form an expert opinion on the state of research relevant to a specific psychological issue in the case. Stage 1 Retainer: Quoted upon review of referral.Other
Referral Question & Case Documents

To ensure the absolute objectivity of the expert analysis, we rely exclusively on the formal case record and the specific referral question posed by counsel. Please articulate your primary referral question(s) below and upload the core documents (e.g., pleadings, existing expert reports) for review.
Please articulate the Primary Referral Question(s) you would like Dr. Long to address. e.g., "Critique the methodology of Dr. Smith's report regarding psychological damages."; "Evaluate the parental fitness of the client."; "What does the current scientific literature state regarding the psychological effects of chronic workplace stress?")
Please describe any upcoming deadlines, court dates, hearings, or time-sensitive events we should be aware of.
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Primary Case Documents

The defensibility of an expert opinion hinges on the completeness of the record reviewed. An opinion based on partial or selective information is easily invalidated during cross-examination. To ensure a robust and defensible work product, it is in your best interest to upload all relevant documents, including pleadings, discovery responses, depositions, and especially any information that may seem adverse to your case.

Please upload up to 20 files (40 MB maximum per file).
For video, audio, or files larger than 40 MB, please email David@drlisalong.com for secure transfer instructions.
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Acknowledgment & Agreement for Initial Consultation

By submitting this form, I acknowledge and agree to the following critical terms:
1. I have read and understood the complete service description, including the two-stage engagement structure.
2. I understand that Stage 1 is an engagement for protected consulting services, with Dr. Long acting as a non-testifying consultant. All work product generated during this stage is for my internal trial preparation.
3. I will adhere to the "Information Quarantine" protocol. I will not share any litigation strategy, case theories, or attorney opinions with the consultant.
4. I will adhere to the "Complete Record" protocol. I understand the validity of the consultant's opinion hinges on a complete factual record and agree to provide all relevant documentation.
5. I confirm my client is physically located in a PSYPACT-participating state.
Conditional Engagement: This submission constitutes my request for expert consulting services. Upon Dr. Long's written acceptance and fee proposal, this document shall automatically constitute our executed agreement for the Stage 1 consultation, with the fee due within 48 hours of acceptance.

Electronic Signature Authorization: By entering my name below, I certify that I am authorized to retain expert services on behalf of my client and agree that this electronic signature shall have the same legal force and effect as a handwritten signature.
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Referral Question & Case Documents