ASHA Learning Pass

An expert witness is responsible for providing specialized knowledge to assist in understanding the evidence or determining a fact at issue in a criminal, civil, or special education due process proceeding. This session will provide an overview of the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of an SLP who may be asked to serve in an expert witness role. The speakers will discuss associated judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; methods for providing written and oral testimony as an expert; and tips for organizing your resume for this role.

This course is a recorded session from the 2023 online conference "Keys to a Successful SLP Private Practice."

Related Courses

See more sessions from this online conference.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Compare your expertise with the qualifications typically expected of an expert witness 
• Evaluate sample oral and written testimony for effectiveness in meeting the responsibility of an expert witness 
• Organize your resume to meet the expectations of serving as an expert witness

Presenter Information

Brenda Seal, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Professor Emerita in Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University and retired professor and director of Speech-Language Pathology at Gallaudet University. Dr. Seal and Dr. Lissa Power-deFur are co-authors of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses (2020, ASHA Press). She has served as an expert witness in criminal, civil, and due process disputes; she has published and consulted with Dr. Power-deFur on expert and fact witnessing.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Co-author of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press 
• Has been a paid expert witness

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Lissa Power-deFur, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, Professor Emeritus, has served at Longwood University for many years, serving as the first program director and department chair as well as interim dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Previously, she worked at the Virginia Department of Education, where she served as a director in the Office of Special Education and Student Services. Lissa has served as an active volunteer throughout her career, with volunteer leadership in ASHA and the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). Her work includes service as ASHA's Vice President of Ethics and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (2014–16), Council on Academic Accreditation site visitor, SHAV President and Board member, and various other ASHA and SHAV committees and boards. She regularly writes and presents in the areas of ethics, special education, educational standards, and serving as an expert witness. She co-wrote Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press, with Dr. Brenda Seal. She has received teaching, leadership, and service awards from Longwood University and from various professional organizations.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Co-author of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press 
• Has been a paid expert witness

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete and submit the learning assessment by the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Online conference dates: May 10–22, 2023, September 6–18, 2023
End date: February 12, 2029

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).