Standard of Care Expert Witnesses

Lawrence Amsel, MD, MPH, specializes in Forensic Psychiatry, including personal injury and psychiatric malpractice. With an MD from Yale University and an MPH in Biostatistics from Columbia University, Dr. Amsel combines his academic credentials, including multileg publications, and clinical expertise including decades as an inpatient and emergency room psychiatrist. With this experience he serves as an expert witness to offer excellent evaluations, written reports and court testimony. 

Dr. Amsel provides Litigation Support services to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. His services include serving as expert witness in psychiatric aspects of personal injury, psychiatric malpractice,  medical record review for causation and standard of care. He has expertise in trauma, PTSD, suicide, Prolonged Grief Disorder, competency issues and medical decision making. He was one of the early champions of the application of Decision Science, Game Theory, and Behavioral Economics to Psychiatric Research.

Areas of Expertise:

Psychiatric Personal Injury   Psychiatric Malpractice  Trauma  PTSD  Suicide Prolonged Grief Disorder  Competency

Psychiatric Practice Standards  Public Health Family Loss Neuropsychiatry Health Care Standards  Behavioral Economics in Health Care Health Care Game Theory

Background - Dr. Amsel serves as an expert witness in matters related to psychiatry, with a focus on  Malpractice, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide, Grief, Medical Decision Making, Hospital Psychiatric Care, and appropriate Evidence-based Standards of Care. Excellent references from multiple law firms are available on request. 

Dr. Amsel's expertise in dealing with the interface of legal and psychiatric issues is based on 28 years of experience in clinical practice, academic psychiatry, research, and public health, as well as his experience as an expert witness.

As an expert on the effects of traumatic experiences, especially after 9/11, Dr. Amsel co-directed the Trauma Studies and Services Division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He has been extensively involved in treating victims of 9/11 and their families, in doing research on the effects of the 9/11 attacks on the survivors and First Responders, and in training clinicians in cutting edge treatments for PTSD and Complicated /Traumatic Grief. This has given him a strong foundation as an expert on PTSD and other psychological effects of various types of trauma. It has also made him an expert on malpractice cases in this area. 

Dr. Amsel studied mathematics at Columbia University before entering Yale University School of Medicine. After completing residency training he joined the Columbia faculty completing two prestigious National Institute of Mental Health research fellowships and obtained an Masters in Public Health (MPH) specializing in mental health statistics, and Child Psychiatry Research. 

View Dr. Amsel's Consulting Profile.

Hugh S. Selznick, MD, is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with subspecialty fellowship-based training in Orthopaedic Traumatology. Dr. Selznick is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.). He holds academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and has served as Medical Director/Chief of Trauma Services for Orthopaedic Trauma Services at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in Las Vegas. He is the Medical Director of Consultants Medical Group since 2006.

Litigation Support - Dr. Selznick performs Orthopedic Independent Medical Exams and Record Reviews and can provide objective reviews and analysis of cases arising from personal injury litigation. He also has access to a network of highly qualified physicians across other subspecialties, allowing us to bring in additional expertise when needed. He has extensive experience in forensics since 2006, and has been able to assist attorneys and insurance professionals in understanding the medical/orthopedic issues particular to each case, with a focus on utilizing evidence-based medicine.

Areas of Orthopedic Trauma Expertise:

Spine & Musculoskeletal Trauma High Energy Fractures Pelvic and Acetabular Trauma Complex Lower Extremity Fractures Femoral Neck / Shaft Injuries Open Tibial Fractures ACL Tear Gunshot-Related Orthopedic Injuries

Total Knee Arthroplasty  Post-Operative Complications   Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Knee & Joint Surgery Cartilage Transplantation Ankle Surgery

Education/ Training:

• BA in Biological Sciences from Cornell University (Magna Cum Laude, Arts & Sciences)
• MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, elected to Alpha Omega Alpha
• Orthopedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute in New York, served as Chief Resident
• Fellowship in Orthopaedic Traumatology at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle

Lisa Landis, CPM,has 28 years of Multifamily Property Management experience, progressing from onsite management through regional leadership to senior executive oversight of large, multi-state portfolios. She has been responsible for portfolios of more than 150 properties and 10,000 units, including market-rate, LIHTC, HUD-assisted, and other affordable housing communities.

Lisa's experience includes establishing and enforcing policies and procedures, overseeing property operations and regulatory compliance, supervising and training management teams, addressing resident and operational issues, and evaluating management performance and accountability.

Litigation Support - Lisa provides expert witness and litigation consulting services involving multifamily property management, apartment operations, and affordable housing. Her experience includes oversight of market-rate, LIHTC, HUD-assisted, and other affordable housing communities across multiple states, providing perspective from the property level through senior executive leadership. This breadth of hands-on and executive experience provides a practical foundation for evaluating property management actions, decisions, documentation, supervision, escalation, and adherence to accepted industry practices in litigation matters.

She is available for litigation consulting, case evaluation, document and policy review, standards analysis, expert reports and opinions, deposition, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Property Management Practices and Responsibilities Management Policies and Procedures  Premises Operations - Negligent Hiring Safety and Security Practices Access Control Resident Complaints and Management Response Leasing and Occupancy Practices

Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodations Maintenance Practices and Escalation Procedures Employee Training and Supervision Staffing Responsibilities and Accountability Regulatory and Affordable Housing Compliance LIHTC and HUD-Assisted Housing Operations Management - Company Oversight.

Education/ Degrees - Ms. Landis holds an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management and has completed extensive professional education and specialized training in multifamily property management and affordable housing. She is a Certified Property Manager (CPM®) through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Certified Housing Asset Manager (CHAM®), Blended Occupancy Specialist (BOS), and Tax Credit Specialist (TCS).

View Lisa Landis's Consulting Profile.

Craig Chiappone is a seasoned multi-family Real Estate Professional with 26 years of hands-on experience spanning brokerage, general partner roles, consulting, investment sales, and asset management. 

Mr. Chiappone is a former Principal of Apartment Realty Advisors (later ARA Newmark), participating in brokerage operations, investment sales, and strategic initiatives culminating in the firm’s acquisition in 2015.  As an owner and operator of multifamily assets, and general partner of various LLCs which own and operate multifamily assets, he has a transaction history of $2.5B. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Chiappone is available to serve as a testifying or consulting expert witness in matters involving complex Real Estate Matters. He is experienced in presenting complex investment analysis to institutional investors, lenders, municipalities, and private investment partnerships and individuals. Mr. Chiappone is available for case review, rebuttal analysis, and deposition preparation support.

Areas of Expertise:

Multi-Family Investment Disputes / Dissolution Large Partnership Disputes Multi-Family Investment Valuation Large Partnership Governance General Partner Conduct and Standards Brokerage Conduct and Standards Partnership Structures

Asset Mismanagement 1031 Exchanges Partnership / Operating Agreement Interpretation Customary Promote / Waterfall Structures Multi-family Underwriting and Operation Fiduciary Standards / Professional Negligence Real Estate Marketing Standards

Jacob Rebo is an AI governance attorney and expert witness who brings an uncommon combination to the standard of care for artificial intelligence: the law of a JD, the business judgment of an MBA, the analytical discipline of a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, the credentialed expertise of the IAPP AIGP, and years spent building and transforming enterprise AI governance at scale. Mr. Rebo renders opinions grounded in all of them.

He opines on how a reasonable organization or professional should select, validate, govern, monitor, and document AI systems, including large language models, and on whether a party met that standard. His approach is analytical rather than theoretical: he measures the actual decisions, controls, and documentation against the duties and frameworks that govern them, the way a Master Black Belt measures a process against its requirements.

Mr. Rebo has built and led enterprise AI governance for two multibillion-dollar technology companies. At Infinera he built the AI governance program from the ground up. At Nokia he transformed an outdated and ineffective function into a compliant and efficient program, approving large language models for deployment and authoring the policies, procurement standards, and contracting terms that put responsible AI into practice. He also led the enterprise-wide adoption of an AI-based contract lifecycle management system.

Litigation Support: Mr. Rebo assists litigators and firms in matters where AI use is at issue, including professional malpractice, standard of care, and commercial disputes. He also advises insurers and corporate legal departments, and accepts engagements nationwide, for plaintiff and defense, for case review, consulting, and testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Standard of Care for AI Adoption and Use Enterprise AI Governance Frameworks and Programs AI Risk Assessment, Tiering, and Management Large Language Model Validation and Oversight

Generative AI in eDiscovery and Document Review AI Procurement, Vendor Governance, and Contracting AI Regulatory Compliance (EU AI Act, U.S. State Frameworks) Organizational Change Management for AI Adoption

Mr. Rebo holds a JD and an MBA from the University of Montana, the IAPP AIGP credential, and Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification. He previously litigated civil matters in Montana state and federal courts, and is a decorated United States Army veteran who served 15 years and retired at the rank of Captain.

David Friedler, MS, MPH, CNHA, LMHC, Is an expert in Wrongful Injury, Abuse and Neglect in Health Care. His experience is in the regulatory standard of care in Nursing Facilities, Psychiatric and Substance Use Rehabilitation as well as Adult Foster Care. He holds MPH and MS degrees and has worked clinical and administrative roles for four decades. He has extensive experience with survey compliance, Federal and State regulation, JCAHO and CARF accreditation, OSHA compliance and policy and procedure adherence.

Areas of Expertise:

• Long Term Care
• Nursing Homes
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Behavioral Health / Psychiatric Care in Drug Treatment Facilities
• Psychiatric care in Nursing Homes, Group Homes

Dennis E. Coleman, JD, MPH, has over 40 years of experience in Hospital and Healthcare Management. In 1990, he formed his own hospital administration / healthcare management services consulting firm provide healthcare management services to various healthcare provider clients in a variety of areas, including strategic planning, business development, operations management, sales and marketing, policy & procedure development, and human resources management.

Mr. Coleman's academic background includes a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern University in Los Angeles and a Masters in Public Health degree with a Hospital Administration major and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, both from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Litigation Support - As a hospital administration expert witness consultant, Mr. Coleman is an advocate for applying community standards which are relevant, based upon the time frame, subject matter and administrative practice(s) appropriate to each case. He has consulted and provided case review, expert witness services, and/or strategic litigation preparation services in more than 200 legal matters. He accepts cases on behalf of Plaintiffs or Defendants.

Mr. Coleman is willing to serve as either a work product consultant or a designated expert based upon the particular strategic litigation needs of each case.

Cases Include:

• Medical Staff Credentialing & Clinical Privileging / ELAM
• Negligent Credentialing, Negligent Supervision, Negligent Retention
• Hospital / Physician Relations-MEJIA Ostensible Agency Issues
• Administrative Community Standards
• Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules & Regulations
• Provider-Based Physician Contracting Negotiations & Contract Administration
• Administrative Policies & Procedures
• Hospital Joint Commission Accreditation, Licensing & Regulatory Compliance Issues
• Wrongful Termination / Constructive Discharge / Whistleblower Issues
• Patient rights; Informed Consent
• Patient Safety; Environment of Care
• Governance; Corporate Negligence

View Dennis Coleman's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Phillip R. Devore actively practices dentistry in Las Vegas and he is an expert witness, case planner and evaluator to the legal profession, particularly in regard to professional liability matters. He offers advice on case viability and strategic planning for depositions and trial, and testifies in affidavits, depositions and at trial. In the last 40 years, he has testified hundreds of times in numerous states prevailing in the vast majority of his cases.

Dr. Devore graduated from UCLA in 1980, lectured there part-time for 18 years, and lectured and consulted in over thirty states, attending 1,800 dental offices. He also taught at UNLV School of Dental Medicine as a full-time Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences where he chaired the business classroom courses and was the Director of the Faculty Group Practice  in addition to his other faculty duties.

Areas of Expertise:

• Aesthetic Dentistry
• Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Care Analysis
• Dental Implants
• Dentistry / Odontology
• General Dentistry

Associations & Memberships

• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Las Vegas Dentist Member of American Academy of Cosemetic Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• Nevada Dental Association
• Southern Nevada Dental Association
• Academy of General Dentistry
• Pierre Fauchard Fellow

Dr. Theresa A. Schmidt, DPT, is an expert Orthopedic Physical Therapist with 35 years of clinical expertise and over 10 years of academic experience.  As an Approved Provider of continuing education for NY State Boards of Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy, and for the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc., (NCBTMB), she updates clinicians internationally on clinical practice guidelines, standards of care, examination and management of injuries, disease, movement impairments and disability.

Litigation Support - Dr. Schmidt offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. She is dedicated to providing the latest evidence-based assessment and interventions to support functional outcomes. Dr. Schmidt offers meticulous, objective review of medical records and documentation.  She is an excellent communicator, engaging presenter, and expert orthopedic physical therapist with clinical, academic, and professional speaking experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Physical Therapy Orthopedic Rehabilitation Ergonomics Massage Massage Therapy Manual Therapy Falls Work-related injury Personal Injury

Exercise / Fitness Injury Physical Therapy Malpractice Chronic Pain Soft Tissue Injury Mobilization Allied Health Physiotherapy Physical Therapy Standard of Care Professional Ethics

Educise Education, Health and Wellness with Dr. Schmidt, DPT

Background Experience - Dr. Schmidt has been in private practice physical therapist for over 30 years. She has presented for American Physical, Occupational and Massage Therapy Associations, NASA Inomedic Health, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt Medical, Wake Forest, private companies and medical centers across the US.

Dr. Schmidt is an approved provider of continuing education by National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc, NCBTMB, Inc., and New York State Board of Massage Therapy.  She is also a published author in medical journals and has published her research in MOJ Orthopedics, Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Fascia Research Congress III.

View Dr. Theresa A. Schmidt's Consulting Profile.

Robert B. Prehn, MD, has been a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist / Head and Neck Surgeon for over 30 years. His practice is in the field of general Otolaryngology, with extensive experience covering the full spectrum of his field. He was a founding partner of a large single specialty clinic in South Central Wisconsin, fostering profound growth in provider coverage as well as creating an extensive network of referrals for what has become one of the largest Otolaryngology practices in Wisconsin. An early adopter of new technology, he and his have leveraged these tools into an efficient and thriving practice which employs over 80 people.

Dr. Prehn has extensive experience in Medical Administration, including serving as Chief of Staff at Aurora Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He has also served as Chairman of Peer Review for all of the Aurora Hospitals in Wisconsin, adjudicating issues dealing with medical complications, malpractice, and physician behavior..

Litigation Support - Dr. Prehn provides expert testimony to Medical Arbitration Boards in cases of suspected malpractice, and to attorneys for both plaintiff and defendant. His services include IMEs, thorough medical review, deposition, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Otolaryngology Ear, Nose, and Throat Head and Neck Surgery Otorhinolaryngology Facial Plastic Surgery Pediatric ENT Neurotology Otology

Rhinology Laryngology Chronic Sinusitis Hearing Loss Tinnitus Vertigo Surgical Injury / Medical Malpractice

Dave Bano has 40 years of hands-on experience across all aspects of Property Casualty Insurance Operations. He is a cross-functional and seasoned senior executive who has led Sales, Claims and Underwriting operations. Mr. Bano possesses a deep understanding of P & C customs, practices, standards and the duty of care. As a retired Chief Claims Officer, a Business Unit President/COO, as well as a Regional/State Executive at Nationwide, he has very broad multi-discipline knowledge and experience.

Litigation Support - Mr. Bano managed all aspects, and coverage lines, within Nationwide Claims including their bad faith/extra-contractual litigation. He also testifies relative to Sales and Agency operations, as well as Underwriting practices. He is a true general manager and expert across the P&C spectrum. 

Areas of Expertise:

Insurance Customs / Standards / Practices Insurance Claims / Sales / Underwriting / Agency Property / Casualty Operations Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Coverage Insurance Exclusions Insurance Denials Extracontractual Automotive Insurance Errors and Omissions (E&O)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Uninsured Motorist (UIM) Class Actions Homeowner Insurance Commercial Insurance Catastrophe / Disaster Flood Insurance Excess Surplus Insurance Insurance Fraud Insurance Investigation

Background Experience - Mr. Bano began his career as an adjuster trainee and worked through every operating level within Claims, eventually becoming Nationwide's first company-wide Chief Claims Officer. As a hands-on leader with strong experience in P/C general management (sales, agency operations, underwriting) as well as claims, he offers current expertise across any aspect of Property & Casualty insurance. 

As Chief Claims Officer, he was responsible for 8000 employees, all claims operations, across all lines of coverage. He partnered closely with his legal teams and held decision-making authority over all claims-related litigation, including extracontractual and bad faith situations. He led Automobile, Homeowners, Commercial, Agribusiness, Excess & Surplus [Scottsdale Insurance], Environmental, Pet & Veterinary, as well as the National Catastrophe group and the Special Investigations anti-fraud teams. He sat on several industry Boards including:  ISO/Verisk, National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB], Coalition against Insurance Fraud, Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Authority. 

Mr. Bano managed the entire P&L for the state of Michigan, and earlier, across the five-county Philadelphia, PA market. 

Molly S. Cobb is an experienced Equine Professional with over 40 years of experience in many aspects of the equine industry and 30 years of teaching experience. Molly has run and managed her own boarding/lesson facility for 26 years. She has developed lesson and camp programs, as well as trained people and horses. Molly is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, a Certified Instructor.

Litigation Support - Ms. Cobb Molly provides expert witness services, case analysis and Equine appraisals to help attorneys, insurance professionals, and legal teams better understand the equine factors involved in a case. Her experience allows her to evaluate questions related to accepted equine practices, horse handling, rider instruction, barn management, program structure, risk awareness, and the practical realities of working with horses. This can be especially valuable in cases involving riding accidents, boarding disputes, training disagreements, lesson program concerns, equine business operations, valuation questions, or standards of care.

At trial, Ms. Cobb can explain equine-related issues in a way that is accurate, organized, and understandable to attorneys, judges, juries, and decision-makers. At trial, her testimony can help clarify complex horse-industry details for those who may not have equine experience. Whether the matter involves an accident, dispute, valuation issue, standard of care question, business disagreement, or facility-related concern, Molly’s goal is to provide thoughtful, professional insight that supports a clearer understanding of the equine factors involved.

Areas of Expertise:

Equine Standard of Care Rider Safety Equine Behavior and Inherent Risk Equine Personal Injury Stable Management

Riding Instructor Liability Equine Equipment Ethical Equine Practice Equine Boarding and Training Equine Sales Equine Appraisals

EXPERTISE IN: 1. The pathobiology, clinico-pathologic correlation, and histopathologic diagnosis of: diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, liver, and pancreas. 2. Human neoplasms (cancer) and preneoplastic conditions. 3. Establishing standard of care, causation and cause of death. 

BACKGROUND: 

1. Anatomic Pathology Residency: Washington Univ-Barnes Hospital 1991-94.
2. Oncologic Pathology Fellowship: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 1994-95.
3. Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Fellowship: Harvard-Brigham & Women's Hospital 1995-96.
4. Instructor at Harvard Medical School: 1996-1998.
5. Assistant Professor and Director of Gastrointestinal Pathology Division at UT-Health Science Center-Hermann Hospital, Houston Medical Center: 08/1998 - 12/2000.
6. Staff GI Pathologist and Quality Assurance Director at Caris/Miraca Life Sciences, Dallas TX: 01/2001 - 04/2012.  Dr. Torres was instrumental in creating a unique model of Gastrointestinal Pathology subspecialty-focused laboratory, during his tenure at Caris/Miraca Life Sciences.
7. Staff Pathologist, Anatomic Pathology Division of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Long Island NY: 05/2012 - 05/2015.
8. Staff Pathologist, Anatomic Pathology Division of Alliance Health Sciences, Dallas TX: 06/2015 - 05/2020.
9. Sole Proprietor of Expert Pathology Consultation Services Laboratory since 01/2020, which provides diagnostic pathology services to hundreds of clinicians of different subspecialties.         

Frederick J. Fisher, JD, is the President of Fisher Consulting Group, Inc., a Professional Liability firm. Since his career began, Mr. Fisher focused on one vision: providing financial security to the client. The result was a successful 40 year career in Specialty Lines Insurance.

Mr. Fisher provides Expert Witness services and Litigation Strategies to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. He testifies regularly as an expert witness in cases dealing with:

• Insurance Broker Standards of Care
• Real Estate Broker Standards of Care
• Third Party Administrator Standards (TPA)
• Claims Handling and Bad Faith
• Wholesale Broker Policies with "gotchya's"

Background Experience:

• For almost 20 years, Mr. Fisher was the Founder of E.L.M. Insurance Brokers, a Wholesale & MGA facility specializing in Professional Liability and Specialty Line Risks. In 1995, he formed what is now known as ELM insurance Brokers, a firm that has acted as an MGA and Wholesale Broker of Professional Liability Insurance and Specialty Lines. From nothing, the firm grew rapidly to a $30 Million dollar facility when sold in 2008
• Mr. Fisher began his career on the service side, as an Independent E&O claims adjuster. In 1982, he bought the Company. In only 4 years, the annual billings increased by 400%
• In 1989, Mr. Fisher became a Founding Member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), and was elected to the PLUS Board of Trustees in 1993. After serving in all Officer capacities, he was elected President in 1997. He remains a Special Materials Expert for several RPLU courses and is the Senior Technical Advisor for The Professional Liability Manual, first published by the International Risk Management Institute in 1990

For more information on his Litigation Support Services, Email Frederick Fisher at: fjfisher@fishercg.com

View Frederick Fisher's Consulting Profile.

Michael G. Kaplan has nearly 50 years of experience in the areas of Forensic Accounting, Business Valuation, and Litigation Consulting. Mr. Kaplan is a Forensic Certified Public Accountant who is regularly called upon to testify as a qualified expert witness in federal and state courts. He has participated in approximately 300 trials. Mr. Kaplan has also served as a court appointed expert accounting referee.

Mr. Kaplan has served as a university professor for approximately 24 years (including 18 years at the University of Southern California). He created and taught courses for the National Judicial College, American College of Business Court Judges, National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, and presented sessions for various Bar Associations, various CPA societies, and other professional organizations. His professional affiliations have included local, regional and national CPA/Advisory firms.

Areas of Expertise:

Forensic Accounting Business Valuation Lost Profits Business Interruption Business Damages Employment Damages Matrimonial Litigation

Personal Injury Damages Intellectual Property Damages Professional Standards Professional Malpractice Fraud - Embezzlement - Misappropriation Partner and Shareholder Disputes

Awards and Honors:

• Circle of Light Award (1998) - National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (first recipient of this award presented annually recognizing one's contributions and performance as an instructor; highest award bestowed upon an instructor in NACVA's educational programs for Business Valuation and Financial Forensics experts.) 
• Magna Cum Laude Award - National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (2017) - Recognizes one's contributions to the fields of Business Valuation and Financial Forensics.