Dr. Jeffrey D. Joy is a Vocational Expert with more than 20 years of experience serving persons with disabilities in various vocational rehabilitation settings. Dr. Joy's past work includes that of Director of Vocational Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Department of Veterans Affairs and has served persons in various vocational rehabilitation settings. He is Nationally Certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification as well as a Board Certified Vocational Expert.
Dr. Joy has been qualified as a Vocational Expert to the Social Security Administration and accepted as a Vocational Expert from members of the Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts Bars. He has been called as both a consulting and testifying Vocational Expert in Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, and Family Law matters. Dr. Joy consults on complex disability related matters including:
Employment and Catastrophic Injury
Earning Capacity and Employability in Family law, Workmen's Compensation, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability
Lost Earning Capacity & Present Value Analyses
Vocational Expert for Social Security Administration Disability Hearings
Michael J. Canaan, CPP CFLC, is a Premises Liability Expert Witness with over 45 years of experience in military and civil law enforcement, as well as corporate and private sector security and investigative positions.
Assignments have taken him from the Bering Sea to Southeast Alaska, across Canada and the United States, to countries in Central and South American in case venues ranging from educational settings, amphitheaters and stadiums, nightclubs and sports bars, ships, casinos, retail environments, food processing facilities, malls, and shopping centers.
Expert cases have involved evaluating failure to meet best practices, duty or standard of care in areas such as:
Inadequate or negligent hiring, retention, training, supervision, staffing, and terminations
Use of force or excessive force, threats, harassment, and intimidation
Inadequate or non-non-existent policies and procedures, post orders
Assaults, voyeurism, rape, sexual assault, robbery, shootings, stabbing, and homicide
Security technology integration, improper or inadequate physical security infrastructure or systems installation
Workplace violence
Mr. Canaan has worked over 35 expert cases, with testimony experience in both deposition and trial.
He is Board Certified in Security Management by the American Society for Industrial Security, International. ASIS is the largest professional security practitioner association with over 38,000 members worldwide, of which only 2200 have received this prestigious certification. Mr. Canaan is also a Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant with the Forensic Expert Witness Association.
Maureen Clark, SPHR,President of Three Sixty HR, Inc., began her Human Resources career in finance and Fortune 100 manufacturing. Ms. Clark has been consulting in Human Resources for over 30 years serving more than 200 clients in the high tech, manufacturing, services, not-for-profit, education and public sectors.
Ms. Clark is particularly skilled at analyzing difficult workplace problems and creating win-win outcomes. Her practice has expanded to include HR investigations (PI#27972), litigation consulting and expert witness testimony for both plaintiffs and defense. Ms. Clark is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the Northern California Human Resources Association, the Association of Workplace Investigators, and the Forensic Expert Witness Association.
Expert cases have included allegations of:
Age and Pregnancy Discrimination
Adequacy of Employer’s Response to a Complaint of Discrimination,
Failure to Accommodate a Disability
Adequacy of Employer’s Response to a Complaint of Sexual Harassment
Negligent Hiring
Wrongful Termination
Constructive Discharge
Failure to Comply with Meal and Rest Period Requirements
Failure to Pay at Termination
Discrimination Based on Disability
Adequacy of Investigations
Liability for a Tort Occurring During the Course of Employment
Dr. Ernst specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Competency/Capacity evaluations, Mitigation evaluations, and Employment Evaluations. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and one of fewer than 35 psychologists in California who have undergone the rigorous examination process necessary to obtain Board Certification in Forensic Psychology. As a trauma expert, Dr. Ernst chose to complete an additional year of fellowship training in PTSD at the San Francisco Veterans Hospital. Having completed over 350 forensic evaluations, Dr. Ernst is frequently retained to conduct a diverse range of civil and criminal evaluations including, but not limited to, mitigation evaluations (juvenile & adult), competency/capacity evaluations, personal injury evaluations, mental state at the time of the offense evaluations, violence risk assessment, and employment evaluations. He is currently a Qualified Medical Evaluator for the California Department of Industrial Relations and serves as a member of the Criminal Panel for Psychological and Psychiatric Experts for multiple Superior Courts. Dr. Ernst's past professional experiences including providing treatment and expert testimony as a member of the medical staff of Napa State Hospital and completing VA forensic evaluations on veteran's alleging psychiatric injury from military trauma. Areas of Expertise:
Assessment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Personal Injury Evaluations
Employment Evaluations
Assessment of Civil and Criminal Competencies
Violence Risk Assessment / Threat Assessment
Mitigation Evaluations
Capital Sentencing Evaluations
MSO Evaluations
Assessment of Neuropsychological Functioning
Assessment of Malingering
Independent Medical Exams (IME)
Trial Consultation
Disability Evaluations
Drug Abuse / Drug Addictions
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Depressive Disorders
Panic Disorders
Schizophrenia Assessments
Violence Evaluations
Alameda Office 1402 Park St., Suite C Alameda, CA 94501 Telephone: 415-913-8096
Roy G. Taylor is a current Chief of Police with over 40 years of experience in a wide-range of federal, state, local, and private criminal justice positions. Mr. Taylor specializes as an expert witness in Police Practices and Procedures and Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Current Positions:
Chief of Police Blue Ridge Public Safety (2014)
President/CEO Signal 88 Security of Charlotte (2012)
President/CEO Capitol Special Patrol (2012)
Chief of Police Capitol Special Police (2002)
Lt. Colonel – Provost Marshal, Army National Guard (2000)
Antiterrorism / Emergency Management Branch Chief DoD (2007)
Provost Marshal Joint Civil Support Task Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff (2014)
Litigation Support - Mr. Taylor is called upon to analyze cases from both defense and plaintiff perspectives. His services include case review, written reports, deposition, and trial testimony as needed. Areas of Expertise:
Susan D. Green, M.S., CRC, FVE, ABVE has been active in the rehabilitation community for over 20 years in the areas of Workers' Compensation, Disability Management, and Vocational Consulting. Ms. Green is a Forensic Vocational Expert, Certified Vocational Expert and Certified Vocational Counselor. Since 1995, she has been President of Susan Green and Associates. Ms. Green provides expert testimony as requested by plaintiff and defense attorneys as well as by the Court.
Ms. Green's services include counseling industrially injured workers under the auspices of the State Department of Industrial Accidents. She offers comprehensive vocational rehabilitation counseling, vocational exploration, evaluation, research, plan development, monitoring and job placement services.
Areas of Expertise:
Forensic Rehabilitation Vocationologist
Vocational/Employability Evaluations
Return-to-Work Services
Post-Incident Mitigation Potential
Loss of Expected Earnings and Earnings Capacity Analysis
Stephen M. Raffle, M.D. is double Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. Dr. Raffle has over 49 years as a clinical and forensic psychiatrist offering his expert opinion in Federal and State jurisdictions nationwide. In addition to serving as an expert witness, Dr. Raffle consults to attorneys, judges, insurers, and to employers regarding Fitness for Duty and Risk of Violence (Threat) Assessment:
5000+ psychiatric assessments
Expert testimony in 700 depositions and trials
Successful clinical practice
The job of an expert witness is to educate a jury, judge, attorney, and trier of fact about the forensic psychiatrist's conclusions and how those opinions were derived in a manner well-reasoned, skillful, and easily understood by every person, not only another forensic psychiatrist. In short, an educator. Dr. Raffle’s experience as an educator extends well beyond a forensic venue, yet underpins the key to his ability to explain his opinions.
Prof. of Psychiatry, UCSF Medical School, 20 years
U.C. Hastings College of the Law postgraduate course "Trial and Appellate Advocacy" instructing seasoned attorneys about the direct and cross-examination of expert witnesses, with special focus on mental health experts and licensed medical professionals, Psychiatrists (MDs), Psychologists (LCSWs / MFTs), and physicians in other medical specialties, 11 years
Stephen M. Raffle, M.D. & Associates' expertise is well-established in forensic assessment in the areas of:
In order for a medical opinion to be admissible as evidence in civil, criminal and administrative cases, the basis of the opinion must fulfill either the Daubert Criteria or the Frye test, depending on the jurisdiction. The judge of the court rules on the admissibility of the expert opinion. The effect of Daubert has been to limit expert testimony to opinions which are based on a scientific foundation. Daubert specifies that adequate scientific support and method and a known error rate must exist. The testimony of a mental health expert rendering an opinion using criteria which does not meet Daubert standards is weakened by the implication that it is not based on "sound science." In some instances, for example, a mental health expert uses an approach where there are no peer-reviewed studies or methods, such as when psychologists compose their own neuropsychological test batteries. In most cases where an attorney is considering a "Daubert challenge," a contemporaneous and up-to-date literature search is indicated. Also, extensive case law presently exists as to specific issues. Being familiar with the Daubert criteria enhances effectiveness in challenging a mental health expert's opinion, whether on voir dire or cross examination. On direct examination, the strengths of an opinion reached under Daubert criteria become a "teaching moment" for the trier of fact, because it will be founded on the science of mental health assessment.
Undue influence occurs when the testator's freewill and freedom of choice in the disposition of the assets of his or her estate is replaced by the substituted judgment/wishes of another. This can apply to creating a will, codicil to amend a will, trust or other legal instrument.
The medical expert cannot express an opinion about the ultimate question to the trier of fact: how much is the plaintiff's emotional distress (emotional injury) worth in dollars? Yet when the question of these monetary damages is put to a jury, their deliberations are better-served if considered in the context of a Forensic Psychiatrist's knowledgeable findings and testimony.
My teacher and mentor, Dr. Bernard Diamond, pondered the question about the role of the psychiatric expert and other experts in the courtroom. My first public presentation was to the American Criminology Society on this topic, and it has continued to occupy my attention to the present
All psychiatric reports evaluate something, but not always the same thing. For example, eligibility for benefits, or fitness to do a job. To make sense of the report, the reader must determine what is being evaluated and how it is being done
In civil cases where emotional distress is alleged, it often occurs that the plaintiff’s attorney designates the treater as his expert. Usually the argument is that the plaintiff’s own therapist has spent many more hours with the plaintiff than the defense expert and therefore "knows" the plaintiff better. The treater often agrees with this reasoning
Dr. Richard K. Skala, DC, QME, has been a Doctor of Chiropractic since 1976, providing chiropractic manipulation and spinal manipulation, as well as related physiotherapy. Certified in Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA), he has been granted Hospital / Surgery Center privileges for MUA and has performed hundreds of MUA cases. He was one of the first chiropractors in California to train for and provide Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatments (EWST). He has post graduate certification in the performance and interpretation of neuro-electrodiagnostics. Consultation and Expert Witness Services for Attorneys regarding
Personal Injury
Industrial Medical-Legal Cases
Standard of Care involving General Chiropractic, Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA), Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, and Extracorporeal Shockwave (EWST)
Chiropractic Licensure Compliance California
Workers Compensation
One of the foremost experts in Workers’ Compensation in California, he has taught many doctors on the subject and testified at numerous WCAB trials and hearings. He has been declared an expert witness by the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. He has been a Qualified Medical Evaluator since 1992, an Independent Disability Evaluator since 1992, a certified AMA Impairment rater since 2003, a Fellow of the Academy of Chiropractic Forensic Consultants (AFICC) since 2003, and a consultant to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners since 2008.
Dr. Skala is a noted author in his field of expertise. He has written numerous published newsletter articles on Chiropractic and other topics related to that field.
Dianne Simmons-Grab, MA, CCM, CDMS, CLCP, is Life Care Planning and Vocational Rehabilitation specialist with over 30 years of experience. She is a Certified Case Manager, Certified Disability Manager, and a Certified Life Care Planner.
Professional Associations and Experience - Ms. Simmons-Grab has taken an active role in the rehabilitation industry on a national level by serving on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) for six years (1997-2004), and on the state level by serving on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Brain Injury Association (2000-2004). She also served on several committees and taskforces including the IARP Annual Conference as chair (2000-2006), TBI Medicaid Waiver Taskforce, New Jersey Brain Injury Association Conference Planning Committee for over 11 years serving as co-chair (2001-2005), the NARPPS ethics committee, the NJ CMSA ethics committee, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Padula Institute of Vision and Sage Rehab, Inc.
Litigation Support - Dianne Simmons-Grab is routinely retained by plaintiffs and defendants due to her unbiased opinion and thorough review. Her primary focus is on individuals with Brain Injuries and their secondary injuries including orthopedic, amputations, burns, and mental health issues. Her expertise is called upon for Workers’ Compensation, Catastrophic Injury, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, and Motor Vehicle Accidents. Ms. Simmons-Grab's services include:
Life Care Planning:
Future Medical Costs & Services - comprehensive assessment, data analysis and research which provides an organized concise plan for current and future needs with associated costs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs
Medical Record Review & Analysis - to determine the level of function in the workplace and the subjects' ultimate employability and recovery
Following a neurological event such as a traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular event, multiple sclerosis, etc., the medical needs of the person are of primary importance initially, for purposes of survival. As medical treatment proceeds and the survival needs of the person are met, the team of rehabilitation professionals will be established in an attempt to improve upon function performance in order to sustain quality of life. The rehabilitation team may be composed of a physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, recreational therapist, vocational specialist, case manager, the psychologist, social worker, and nurse, to name several. It is often during this tim e that additional medical and rehabilitative needs are identified through diagnosis or observation by member s of the rehabilitation team.
1. Proper Classification of Past Relevant Work (PRW)
A. Define PRW according to Recency and Duration
B. Job Titles, including DOT codes, according to the U.S Dep't. of Labor (Source document)
C. Skill (SVP) and Exertional Level (Posture and Lift/Carry)
Michael S. D’Angelo, CPP, CSC,CHPA is the founder of Secure Direction Consulting, LLC. He has been in the public safety and private security industries for over 25 years.
Background - Before transitioning into security management, Mr. D’Angelo was a Police Captain, serving 23 years with the South Miami Florida Police Department. During his law enforcement career, he served in a variety of specialized units and gained significant managerial experience as a supervisor, middle manager, and senior commanding officer. Upon transitioning to the private security profession, Mr. D’Angelo was hired as the Corporate Security Manager for Baptist Health South Florida, where he served as an internal consultant for security and emergency preparedness to six hospitals and a multitude of outpatient/non- hospital facilities. D'Angelo achieved both Board Certification in Security Management (CPP) and Board Certification in Security Consulting (CSC). Expanding his expertise in the healthcare sector, he went on to achieve both the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) and Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP) designations.
Litigation Support - Michael S. D’Angelo provides forensic litigation support for cases involving security negligence and premises liability. Mr. D'Angelo's services include case review, expert testimony, and consultation on security standards and best practices. *Please contact for Mr. D'Angelo's CV.
Former police and military personnel possess attractive skill sets for the private security industry; however, the transition to the corporate arena is not without challenges. Competition for these jobs is fierce. Many candidates possess degrees in security management?some having spent their entire professional careers in private security. From Police to Security Professional: A Guide to a Successful Career Transition provides tips on overcoming the inherent obstacles law enforcement professionals face in making the switch and supplies a practical roadmap for entry into the private security world.
As a highly professional & credible Expert, Consultant, & Speaker, Jean Seawright has provided trusted advice & HR Consultation to thousands of organizations nationwide. As president of Seawright & Associates, a Human Resource Management-Consulting Firm, Ms. Seawright is widely respected for her knowledge of state & federal employment regulations including, but not limited to FLSA, ADA, FMLA, Title VII, & others. Since 1987, she has focused on engagements involving hiring, coaching, & terminating employees; regulatory compliance; charges of discrimination; performance management systems; internal investigations (including harassment); employee handbook development; compensation plan design; HR audits; hiring systems; job descriptions; & others. Ms. Seawright is a frequent speaker at state & national trade associations & is the author of numerous articles & publications in the field of human resources, including the popular book, The Employment Genie®, an exclusive hiring, coaching, & termination system for businesses.
Areas of Expertise:
Negligent Hiring and Retention
Discrimination and EEO Compliance
HR Policies and Programs
FLSA and Wage and Hour Compliance
Harassment
Expert Witness Services for Employment Law Matters
ADA
FMLA
Hiring Procedures
Title VII
Employee Handbooks
Ms. Seawright is available for case analysis, case theory evaluation, expert witness reports, depositions, analysis of other expert testimony, and trial testimony.
Now you can own a complete human resource department ‘in a box!’ Worried about hiring, coaching, and terminating employees legally and effectively? As a business owner, you know that one bad hire or poorly executed termination can bring your business to its knees. Finally, there’s a solution! With The Employment Genie® system, you can hire smart, reduce turnover, limit liability, and implement consistent employment practices!
Timothy A. Dimoff, CPP, founder and president of SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc. a leading security consulting firm, has over 40 years of experience in Law Enforcement and Security matters for both the public and private sectors. He is multi-certified in the security field and is considered one of the nation's leading authorities on negligent security procedures; security & vulnerability issues; police procedures and operations including use of force; high-risk workplace and human resource issues; narcotics investigations and enforcement.
Mr. Dimoff is board certified by ASIS as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP?) which is internationally recognized as the “gold standard” certification for security management professionals, demonstrating their knowledge and competency in seven key domains of security.
Litigation Support - Mr. Dimoff has over 20 years of experience in testifying and consulting as an expert witness in over 500 cases and trials for both the plaintiff and the defense sides. His expert witness experience includes law enforcement procedures, security negligence of business or physical premises, human resources issues, meeting standards of practice in hiring and termination, employment practices, proper documentation, training, supervision, policies and procedures, harassment, discrimination, internal investigations, threats and excessive use of force.
Mr. Dimoff is a renowned speaker, trainer, and author who has offered expert commentary to national media including Dateline, NBC, CNN, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The LA Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of four books, including How to Recognize Substance Abuse, The YOU in Business, and Life Rage, a chilling examination of societal rage and safeguards against it.
Mr. Dimoff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology from Denison University.
Medical marijuana is now legal in many states and many other states are considering legalizing it. This creates a host of issues and questions, legal and otherwise, that employers must address. This also affects workplace issues and policies. And since each state is different, how do you know how your state laws vs. federal laws affect the issue? It is confusing but this is an area where it is critically important to understand and to act accordingly.
School shootings - church shootings - road rage – bullying - workplace rage. We are so angry! It seems as if there are no boundaries anymore. Have we completely forgotten how to deal with life’s setbacks in a civilized manner? Have we become a world full of life’s rages
It began with "Road Rage" and quickly expanded into "School Rage", "Work Rage", "Air Rage", "Anti-government Rage" and "Anti-business Rage." . . . Life Rage examines these rages...their causes and effects, and offers hope and solutions. Americans can come together and make our lives and businesses safer and better.
This book reveals a darker, grittier side of American culture that many people never see. Readers will be stunned by the impact drug abuse has in our homes, our workplaces, schools and even on the athletic field. A must-read for anyone who needs to be able to spot the signs of drug abuse or stop it before it begins.
This fun-to-read book is for anyone who manages or owns a small business. Filled with real-life in-the-trenches stories, you will gain exciting insights into the fundamentals of building a business from the ground up. You will also learn how to develop long-lasting customer relationships to grow your business and place it on the fast track to success.
Rose Porterfield Group (RPG) has over 30 years of experience providing Business Performance and Human Resource services. As experts in human behavior, we provide litigation support strategy and testimony for attorneys and corporations. Offering unbiased, detailed, and objective expert opinion on all aspects of human behavior in the workplace, we can help determine the facts, motivations, and human factors involved in the case.
Forensic and Expert Testimony Cases Include:
Sexual Harassment
Workplace Injury
Discrimination
Retaliation
Wrongful Termination
Robyn W. Porterfield, PhD - Managing Principal at RPG, spent over ten years in sales and marketing prior to completing her PhD in Industrial Psychology. While completing her PhD, Dr. Porterfield served as Director of Client Services for a Texas-based on-line psychological testing firm, consulting to management on such issues as individual and team fit, conflict resolution, hiring, coaching, and management succession planning.
As a consultant, Dr. Porterfield has assessed executives in such diverse industries as financial management, food service, telecommunications and retail. For five years Robyn and Bob co-wrote a column for the Dallas Business Journal titled, C-Level Coach. Robyn is also a professional mediator and currently mediates for Dispute Resolution Services of Tarrant County, Texas.
Robert G. Rose, PhD, Principal at RPG, received his PhD from Florida State University. Since 1976 he has served as consultant to organizations in virtually every industry including health care, retail, IT services, manufacturing, construction, aviation, and many others. In his over 30 years as a consultant, Dr. Rose has encountered virtually every problem that an organization can experience, and has seen that good teamwork - from hiring to development - always benefits both the individual and the company.
Bob is the author of numerous articles on communication, crisis handling, and conceptualizing purpose and culture within organizations, and his books on consulting are required reading by major corporations..
As an employment attorney, or perhaps as General Counsel for your organization, you have probably been fielding more and more questions about bullying in the workplace-we certainly have. While bullying isn't illegal - yet - you also probably know that it costs a lot in terms of its effect on production. Plus, you know it's not right-not really. So, what's the right approach? Our rule of thumb is not to overact to simple, appropriate work behavior, but you also can't put up with bullying either. We'll share some examples from our practice; see if any of these sound familiar.
If you are the CEO or General Counsel of your company, you should be preparing for a new challenge. The gaining momentum of the #metoo movement means there will likely be an increase in sexual harassment complaints. Raghu and Suriani certainly think it's already happening (#METOOWHATNEXT: Strengthening workplace sexual harassment protection and accountability, nwlc.org, 2017.), and our clients are certainly calling us more often to investigate claims. To better prepare, here are some suggestions we urge you to consider.
Let's say you have Bill who is a good guy in many ways but he can be a grouch. He is particularly likely to nag the young female accounting staff for inquiring about his expense reports. He looms over them and talks loudly sometimes shaking his finger, and using occasional mild profanity. You've talked to him and he always gives a half-hearted sheepish apology - and then does it again the following month.
Almost all of us have been to the yearly company football game, company barbeque, or happy hour. Organizations often think these events create closeness, trust, a sense of "teamwork", or even a sense of family. We love a good burger and a beer as much as anyone but in our experience the injuries, harassment and other complaints that can come from company social events may cause problems for employers. And we find that the defense that the events were "voluntary" may not hold up.
This book discusses testing as a critical aspect of the hiring process. Dr. Rose presents a clear, concise picture of the real issues and advantages in testing in an easy to read enjoyable format.
Randall N. Smith, MD, has over 40 years of experience as an Orthopedic Surgeon. Dr. Smith practices in General Orthopedics, Non-Surgical Orthopedics, and Pain Management Medicine. He specializes in Joint and Trigger Point Injections and Pain Management Treatment. Litigation Support - Dr. Smith provides expert witness services to counsel representing both plaintiff and defendant. His cases involve injury issues from Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, and Motor Vehicle Accidents. Dr. Smith's services include written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. Areas of Expertise:
Pain Management - A branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain.
Independent Medical Examination - Independent orthopedic evaluations including review of medical records and expert narrative reports.
Disability Assessment Evaluations - Evaluations to determine ability to work and/or restrictions from work or daily activity.
Howard is one of America's most sought after Restaurant, Bar, Food, & Beverage Industry Experts in the country. With over 32 years of experience, Judges & Juries respect Howard's industry expertise in regard to his restaurant expert witness& restaurant litigation support services - having provided expert witness testimony, opinions, and reports in both State & Federal Cases for Plaintiffs & Defendants.
• Federal Certification with 29 CFR 1910 from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration
• Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC)-the American College of Forensic Examiners
• Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points Manager Certification (HACCP)
• National Environmental Health Association Certification • ServSafe Food Safety
• On-Premise Alcohol - TIPs 2.0
Nationwide Services - NO CHARGE for Domestic Travel
250+ Litigation
300+ Pre-Litigation
State & Federal Cases - Plaintiffs & Defendants
Restaurant, Bar & Hospitality Industry Matters - Since 1987
Highly-recognizable books, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting A Restaurant" (1st & 2nd Ed) and "Restaurant OSHA Safety and Security: The Book of Restaurant Industry Standards & Best Practices", found in 76 countries around the globe.
Howard Cannon - Restaurant Expert Witness
With 250+ Litigation and 300+ Pre-Litigation cases as a Restaurant Expert Witness, Food Safety & Contamination Expert, and Restaurant & Bar Safety & Security Expert, Howard provides Credibility, Integrity, and Unbiased Analysis & Reports. Howard is well-spoken - having given hundreds of restaurant, food service & hospitality industry speeches and seminars, and is quite comfortable in any court of law. He is a published author/experienced writer with books & articles published in dozens of markets around the globe - delivering clear & concise expert reports with an effective and efficient opinion & basis. Howard NEVER misses a deadline – his expert witness reports & opinions are always on time.
Did you know that restaurants are more likely to experience workplace violence than any other industry in America? In this article we will help you find out why restaurants are so prone to violence, what leads to violence, the practical steps to help make restaurants safe, and the insider information that you need when dealing with one of these legal matters.
OSHA guidelines, standards and safety rules apply to nearly every restaurant industry legal matter and it is a whole lot more than the little bit of text on the OSHA wall poster. Your case will more likely than not depend on the standards applied and whether or not you know the standards and how best to apply them to your legal matter as it pertains specifically to restaurants.
If you have a pending lawsuit that pertains to a restaurant or bar industry legal matter, you need to know what "shared space" is, and how it applies to your underlying legal matter, and the role that OSHA guidelines, codes and safety rules will have. Shared space is an industry specific formula and will impact the standards that you apply and could be the difference between winning or losing your case.
Compiled from more than 1,000 hours of research and statistical analysis, Restaurant OSHA Safety and Security was written to help provide restaurant owners, managers, executives, employers, employees, and vendors what they need to know about OSHA and industry standards and best practices in simple language, so they can concentrate on being successful and making money.
In this revised edition, aspiring restaurateurs will find everything they need to know to open a successful restaurant, including choosing a concept and location, creating a business plan, finding the cash, and much more. New content includes information on tips, tip-outs, and reporting for the entire staff, choosing the best POS system, setting up a bar and managing the wine list, and making the bottom line look good long-term.
Dianne Simmons-Grab, MA, CCM, CDMS, CLCP, is Life Care Planning and Vocational Rehabilitation specialist with over 30 years of experience. She is a Certified Case Manager, Certified Disability Manager, and a Certified Life Care Planner.
Robyn W. Porterfield, PhD - Managing Principal at RPG, spent over ten years in sales and marketing prior to completing her PhD in Industrial Psychology. While completing her PhD, Dr. Porterfield served as Director of Client Services for a Texas-based on-line psychological testing firm, consulting to management on such issues as individual and team fit, conflict resolution, hiring, coaching, and management succession planning.
Robert G. Rose, PhD, Principal at RPG, received his PhD from Florida State University. Since 1976 he has served as consultant to organizations in virtually every industry including health care, retail, IT services, manufacturing, construction, aviation, and many others. In his over 30 years as a consultant, Dr. Rose has encountered virtually every problem that an organization can experience, and has seen that good teamwork - from hiring to development - always benefits both the individual and the company.
Howard is one of America's most sought after Restaurant, Bar, Food, & Beverage Industry Experts in the country. With over 32 years of experience, Judges & Juries respect Howard's industry expertise in regard to his restaurant expert witness& restaurant litigation support services - having provided expert witness testimony, opinions, and reports in both State & Federal Cases for Plaintiffs & Defendants. 
