How to Examine Mental Health Experts: A Family Lawyer's Handbook of Issues and Strategies

Designed as a quick and accessible reference, this book helps lawyers understand and address the array of mental health expert issues they will encounter in their cases. Written by John A. Zervopoulos, who is an attorney and a psychologist, each issue in the book is examined through the dual prism of Daubert-Frye principles (the legal perspective) and of professional psychology’s expertise and literature (the psychological perspective). The book provides the tools necessary to develop clear direct examinations, sharpen cross examinations, and compose effective, compelling arguments to the court. These lessons are also useful to attorneys who litigate cases outside of family law.

Every chapter considers a particular topic, such as when experts rely on experts, managing experienced-based testimony, or the purpose of evaluation reports, and considers three aspects to help practitioners understand and effectively manage that issue:
• Spot the Issue – What is the mental health expert issue; and how can lawyers spot the issue in a case?
• Analyze the Issue – What substantive information help lawyers analyze the issue from two aspects: relevant case-law based principles and psychology’s professional literature and standards?
• Address the Issue – How can lawyers address the issue effectively in an expert’s deposition or court testimony and in their oral and written arguments to court?