Expert Witness and Legal System Work
Expert-Witness and Legal-System Work
Dr. Mendonsa provides independent expert services throughout the life of a legal or administrative matter - from preliminary case consultation and evaluation planning through report preparation, deposition, or trial.
His role is to identify the relevant psycholegal question, examine the available evidence, apply appropriate psychological methods and professional standards, and communicate his findings in language that attorneys, judges, jurors, agencies, and other decision-makers can understand.
Depending on the referral, his expert witness and litigation services may include:
- Independent clinical and forensic psychological evaluations
- Preliminary consultation concerning psychological issues in a case
- Review of medical, psychological, employment, correctional, educational, and administrative records
- Evaluation of psychological testing, diagnoses, treatment records, and professional methodology.
- Plaintiff, defense, or rebuttal IME
- First, second, and rebuttal opinions
- Critical review of opposing expert reports and testimony
- Behavioral-health standards-of-care analysis
- Opinions concerning psychological causation, functional impairment, treatment needs, prognosis, and future care
- Assessment of alternative explanations and competing hypotheses
- Written reports, declarations, affidavits, and professional opinions
- Deposition and trial testimony
- Consultation concerning complex behavioral-health evidence
Dr. Mendonsa approaches each matter independently. His responsibility is to the evidence, the applicable professional standards, and the defined referral question; not to a preferred outcome or litigation position.
His reports distinguish documented facts, clinical findings, reasonable professional inferences, conflicting information, and the limitations of the available evidence. He is attentive to the difference between clinical possibility and an opinion that is sufficiently supported for a forensic or administrative purpose.
Dr. Mendonsa has never been subject to a Daubert Motion or sanctions.
