Security (Private and Public) Expert Witnesses

Emily Goodman Shortall, CPM®, ARM®, is a Property Management Expert Witness on the property management standard of care in premises liability, habitability, negligent security, slip and fall, landlord-tenant and owner–manager disputes, with 23 years of Commercial and Multifamily Operating Experience. She is President, Property Management Division, Harvey Goodman Realtor (third-generation developer), and a former Regional Vice President (6,000+ units; 1.5M sq. ft. retail). She is a licensed real estate broker in Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, an associate broker in Pennsylvania and a salesperson in West Virginia.

Services for Counsel: consulting or testifying expert; record review, analysis of inspection and maintenance policies and procedures and failure-to-maintain response; expert reports, deposition and trial testimony; plaintiff and defense, nationwide.

Areas:

Retained Matters, 2026 (de-identified; six plaintiff, two defense):

1. Commercial office-building premises safety (plaintiff); final report.
2. Multifamily amenity-area operations and entry management (plaintiff); report in review.
3. Multifamily heating-equipment maintenance and CO detection (plaintiff); report in preparation.
4. Commercial loading-dock operations (plaintiff); final report.
5. Multifamily utility billing, master-metered community (defense); signed report.
6. Commercial sidewalk winter maintenance, mixed-use (defense); affidavit, report pending.
7. Multifamily owner oversight of third-party management (plaintiff); new engagement.
8. Sidewalk winter maintenance, leased property (plaintiff); new engagement.

Testimony: none yet as a retained expert; 20+ prior depositions as a corporate representative.

Method: compares what the organization said should happen with what its records show; opinions address property management practice, not legal, engineering or medical conclusions.

Credentials: IREM CPM® and ARM®; Governing Councillor nominee (2027–2029); former adjunct instructor; IREM award honoree; author, Journal of Property Management.

Gary Deel, Ph.D., J.D. has 10 years of experience in executive-level positions in the hospitality industry and 10 years of experience teaching hospitality management and law curriculum for some of the nation's top hotel schools.

Dr. Deel holds both a Ph.D. in Hospitality and a J.D. in Law, so he understands the nuances of expert witness testimony from the perspective of attorney strategy. He has also worked in a variety of different hospitality industry capacities including operations, sales, security and risk management, training and administration, and others. His services are available to help attorneys make the strongest possible arguments for clients in hospitality-related cases. Dr. Deel offers expert witness services nationwide in the areas of:

Recent Cases:

• Suit against Miami beach resort involving catastrophic injury in the ocean and hotel duty to warn about latent hazards known to hotel and not obvious to visitors (plaintiff).
• Suit against Orlando city center convention hotel involving sexual assault of a minor guest by an employee and hotel duty to monitor employee whereabouts and activities (plaintiff).

James Parker has over 35 years of relevant industry experience specializing in Electronic Security Systems & Sensors, Electronics R&D, and New Product Development. He has in-depth knowledge of electronic product design in both Wired and Wireless Technologies and outstanding knowledge of Environmental and False Alarm Immunity. Products, such as alarm systems, that Mr. Parker led the design of, have an installed base in the millions. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Parker provides Patent Litigation support to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defense and is experienced with civil liability, criminal and patent litigation, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs). He has the ability to explain complex technical material in a straight forward manner. Mr. Parker's past clients include Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Fish & Richardson PC, Alarm.com, 2GIG Technologies, and Nest Labs. His services are available nationally and internationally. 

Areas of Expertise:

Background - Mr. Parker is the Past Vice President of Engineering for Digital Security Controls Ltd. (DSC), a leading global manufacturer of electronic security systems and components with sales exceeding $400 million annually. He is currently the President at EE-Systems Group Inc. Canada (R&D) where he is responsible for overseeing new product and business development. A prolific inventor, Mr. Parker has been granted over 25 unique patents with approximately 100 patent documents published worldwide. 

View James Parker's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Ron Martinelli, PhD, CMI-V, is a nationally renowned Forensic Criminologist and a federal/state courts qualified law enforcement and premises liability expert who is also a Certified Medical Investigator (physician's level) and a Certified Suicide Investigator. 

Dr. Martinelli directs the nation's only Forensic Death Investigations & Independent Review Team of 26 law enforcement, forensic and medical experts and specializes in officer-involved death cases, civilian self-defense shooting cases and premises liability/security cases. He is a forensic/law enforcement expert to the U.S. Department of Justice, several State Attorney Generals' Offices, numerous major municipalities and nationally prominent private law firms specializing in wrongful death, civil rights and premises liability. 

Dr. Martinelli is the prevailing expert in over 90% of his retained cases. He has saved defendants over $650M and earned plaintiffs over $290 million in jury verdicts and settlements since 2004. He is the media's go-to forensic expert for FOX News, One America News Network, CNN, HLN, Sky News, BBC, NPR, and the History & Discovery Channels. Dr. Martinelli is skilled in officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, crime scene reconstruction, forensics, applied sciences, human factors, psycho-medical emergencies and premises liability and security cases. His unique and extensive field experience, combined his academic and scientific credentials, excellent written reports and persuasive testimony, make him a very appealing expert to attorneys and juries alike.

Areas of Expertise:

• Arrests
• Search & Seizure
• Use of Force / Excessive Force - All Levels and Weaponry
• Officer Involved Shootings(OIS)
• In-Custody Deaths
• Criminal Investigations
• Law Enforcement & Corrections Practices, Training & Supervision
• Adult & Juvenile Corrections
• Law Enforcement Negligence
• Civilian Self-Defense, Premises Liability, Security, Foreseeable Harm
• Insurance Cases
• Human Factors

Donald L. Leach, II, is a Jail / Corrections Management expert with over 30 years of experience. He has 20 years of consulting experience on jail management issues nationally, focusing on Risk Management for Jails and Jail Operational Methodology. 

Mr. Leach has extensive supervisory experience, having overseen up to 402 employees (indirectly). He also supervised internal affairs investigations, experienced in interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, motivating, evaluating, and dismissing personnel. He is experienced in administering and managing a large detention facility, developing and administering programs, budgeting, contract development and monitoring, conducting research, monitoring compliance with policies and procedures, community relations, public speaking, controlling costs, problem-solving, and preparing reports.

Litigation Support - Mr. Leach has served as an expert witness for 5 years, in both State and Federal court. His services are available to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense and include case review, testimony, and consultation for jail and prison issues.

Areas of Expertise:

View Donald Leach's Consulting Profile.

David K. Easlick, Jr., is a Hazing and Risk Management Specialist and a member of the State Bar of Michigan for over 30 years. Mr. Easlick was the Executive Director of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity for over 20 years. In such a role, he became familiar with just about all outrageous conduct by undergraduate young men on the college campus. He spent years combating it and attempting to correct and eliminate it. His experience includes Hazing, Binge Consumption, Sexual Misconduct, or other Risk Management Violations.

Mr. Easlick has been a member of the Fraternity Executives Association for 30 years, an affiliate member of the North American Inter-Fraternity Conference, an associate member of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, a business member of the Association for Student Conduct Administration, and a past member of FIPG and FRMT.

Litigation Support - Mr. Easlick is the most qualified expert witness regarding Fraternal Law Suits. As a lawyer and former litigator, he offers unique advice to counsel. Mr. Easlick does not try cases and is not seeking out litigation clients. His role is an expert witness and consultant and his services include trial preparation, discovery preparation, review services, and other legal advice to litigation counsel. Mr. Easlick is currently appearing in several cases on the plaintiff's side, and he has successfully completed one case on the defendant's side as well as fifty-nine on the plaintiff's side.

Areas of Expertise:

Brian Zawilinski has over 34 years of Corrections Experience. Currently retired, he served 27 years active duty for the CT DOC, the last 12 served as a Captain / Investigator in Internal Affairs.

Mr. Zawilinski has a significant amount of tactical experience and instructor-training experience in various areas for over 20 years. He has revised policy and curricula, conducted audits, conducted training at various levels, provided leadership training, conducted hundreds of investigations and mentored new supervisors.  

Litigation Support - Mr. Zawilinski is a Subject Matter Expert in use of force, facility operations, facility management, training, investigations and tactical operations. His services include thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. Mr. Zawilinski served as states witness and testified on numerous occasions. 

Ideal Client Engagement: 1) State Attorney General Office 2) Law firms deputized by the AG's Office to litigate cases. 3) Any law enforcement or corrections agency needing assistance 4) Private law firms litigating corrections-based cases.

Areas of Expertise:

Dr. Randy Atlas AIA , CPP is a Registered Architect, NCARB certified, and he practices Criminal Justice Architecture and Environmental Security Design. Atlas is a certified protection professional (CPP) with the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), and is an appointed member of the ASIS Security Architecture and Engineering Committee. Atlas has his doctorate in criminology and a masters of architecture. Dr Atlas is a Fellow  member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Dr. Atlas has taught CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) and criminal justice courses at Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Miami, Keiser University, and he is a trainer with the National Crime Prevention Institute at the University of Louisville. Dr. Atlas has been a technical Assistance consultant with the National Institute of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, and the Florida Department of Corrections and U.S. HUD Drug Elimination CPTED Program.

He has conducted ADA accessibility compliance audits for private and public sector clients, and served as an expert witness on over 200 premises liability lawsuits.

Dr. Atlas has been a speaker and trainer at security conferences from New Delhi, India to Seattle, Washington and has written over 200 articles in various publications on security, safety, and counter terrorism issues.

Dr. John R. Black is a recognized expert with extensive experience in international, federal, and state courts on Lethal Force, Police Use of Force, Officer-Involved Shootings, and Civilian Self-Defense, blending forensic analysis with human-centered perspectives and systems thinking. Dr. Black employs a systems thinking approach that enables him to view incidents from multiple perspectives. He regularly speaks to Police leadership, investigators, lawyers, and organizations about how we think about the process of inquiry, our biases, and our sensemaking.

Litigation Support - Dr. Black is qualified as an expert witness in state and federal courts related to police practices, police use of force, decision-making, officer-involved shootings, police tactics, police training, incident command, and police / jail operations. He is also qualified with similar expertise for civilian self-defense and use of force events.

Expert in Use of Force & Lethal Force Incidents & Decision-Making

In cases involving force--lethal force, understanding decision-making is as critical as the facts themselves. Whether you are a defense attorney explaining your client’s actions or a prosecutor challenging them, you need an expert who integrates both events and decision-making processes. Dr. Black offers a unique approach, blending quantitative precision with qualitative insight into how individuals make sense of their world. he is a recognized expert with experience in international, federal, and state courts on lethal force, police use of force, officer-involved shootings, and civilian self-defense. He combines forensic analysis with human-centered perspectives, ensuring a balanced view that benefits both defense and prosecution.

Advanced Forensic Video and Qualitative Analysis

Video evidence often plays a pivotal role in determining the facts. Dr. Black is skilled in forensic video analysis, using Amped Five software to extract key details. What sets him apart is his ability to combine video analysis with qualitative thematic tools like Atlas.TI, understanding both what happened and how individuals interpreted their environment under stress.

Cognitive Interviewing and Human Performance Expertise

Dr. Black specializes in cognitive interviewing, exploring clients’ mindsets during critical moments leading up to the use of force. His approach bridges the quantitative analysis of human performance with qualitative insights into violent encounters, offering a comprehensive view of why actions were taken.

Military and Law Enforcement Expertise

With 30+ years in U.S. Army Special Forces and 23+ years in law enforcement, Dr. Black brings unmatched experience to each case. He provides practical insights grounded in real-world experience. His background ensures a comprehensive understanding of how policy, training, and decision-making intersect under pressure.

View Aragon National, Inc.'s Consulting Profile.

911 Consulting specializes in Emergency Preparedness, Training, Drills and Exercises for corporations, campuses and medical facilities. 911 Consulting offers practical solutions for preventing likely incidents, preparing for emergencies, responding to a crisis, and resuming operations. They create a custom emergency plan, train personnel, and stage drills for readiness.

Bo Mitchell was Police Commissioner of Wilton, CT for 16 years. He retired to found 911 Consulting which creates emergency, disaster recovery, business continuity, crisis communications and pandemic plans, plus training and exercise for organizations like GE HQ, Hyatt HQ, MasterCard HQ, five colleges and universities plus 29 PreK-12 schools.

Bo serves clients headquartered from Boston to LA working in their facilities from London to San Francisco. He has earned 23 certifications in homeland security, emergency management, disaster recovery, business continuity, safety and security. Mission: Trying to make America safer one workplace at a time.

Litigation Support - Bo serves as an expert in landmark court cases nationally.  He provides expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense, including thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise: 

Professional Designations: CEM, CPP, CHS-V, CBCP, CSI-ML, HSEEP, CSSAS, CNTA, IAC, MOAB, CHSP, CHEP, CSHM, CESCO, CHCM, CFC, CSSM, CSC, CAS, TFCT3, CERT, CHSEMR, CMC

Steven Wilder has over 40 years of experience and have served as a retained expert witness in approximately 25 to 30 cases for both plaintiff and defense matters. His work has involved Hospital and Long-Term Care Security, Slip-and-Fall Hazard Analysis, Resident Elopement, Security Use-of-Force, and Workplace Violence, including trial testimony, depositions, and consulting.  He is a seasoned professional who has actually run these programs, not just studied them. 

Edwardo A. Garcia is a former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and Supervisor with 29 years of federal service, including the Presidential Protective Division under Presidents Clinton and Bush. Founder, Service Star Security Ltd. (TX PI License #A28550801).

Mr. Garcia is Expert witness and consultant in negligent security, executive protection, threat assessment, premises liability, OSINT, and film production security. Available for remote depositions via Zoom.