Inside the Expert Witness World: A New Book for Physicians

Michael Kalivar, the founder of Kalivar, has published a new book for physicians: Inside the Expert Witness World: How Physicians Can Build Credibility, Purpose, and Income in Medico-Legal Work.

Many physicians are curious about expert witness work. Few know where to start, what the work asks of them, or how to do it well. Michael began his own expert witness work almost by chance, when a department chair passed an attorney's request for a surgical review to him. His first years were not smooth. In one early case he gave an opinion outside his specialty and walked into court unprepared. He wrote this book so the next physician does not have to learn those lessons the hard way.

Fifteen years and hundreds of case reviews later, he has testified in courtrooms across the country. The book is a candid account of what it takes for a physician to serve justice. It is not a legal manual or a business pitch.

What you will learn

• How to identify your niche and use your clinical background
• How to write persuasive, evidence-based opinions
• How to give effective testimony in depositions and in court
• How to build and keep long-term credibility in the medical-legal field

What is inside

The book has ten chapters, plus appendices:

1. The Importance of Expert Testimony in the Justice System. The role of medical experts, fact witness vs. expert witness, and common myths about expert work.
2. Finding Your Niche as a Medical Expert Witness. Your expertise zone, market demand, and how to respond to attorney inquiries and retainer agreements.
3. How to Review Medical Records Effectively. The phases of a record review, spotting patterns, biases, and pitfalls, and efficiency tips for busy physicians.
4. Communicating Your Opinion to Attorneys. How to present an unfavorable opinion and what to do when the attorney pushes back.
5. Case Summary Writing Guide. What attorneys actually want, the anatomy of a strong report, and a before-and-after example.
6. Billing, Engagements, and Contracts. Setting your fees, engagement agreements, and the red flags that tell you when to walk away.
7. Depositions and Testimony. Preparation, performance, and how to handle common cross-examination tactics.
8. Building Reputation and Repeat Work. Post-case follow-up, visibility, and a 90-day credibility plan.
9. Avoiding Pitfalls. Ethical boundaries, legal risks, and professionalism under pressure.
10. Conclusion.

The appendices include a sample expert engagement agreement, a case report template, a fee schedule template, an expert witness vocabulary glossary, and a resource list.

An idea from Chapter 1: the Credibility Triad

Chapter 1 argues that a credible expert has three qualities:

• Competence: up-to-date clinical experience and mastery of the subject matter.
• Clarity: the ability to turn complexity into logical, accessible reasoning.
• Impartiality: a visible commitment to truth rather than to the party paying your fee.

The chapter also explains the two questions at the center of most medical-legal disputes: was the standard of care met, and did any deviation cause the injury?

Read the first chapter free

We want you to see if the book is right for you before you buy it. Request the preface, the introduction, and Chapter 1 free and we will send them to your inbox.

Work with Kalivar

Kalivar.com connects attorneys with physicians who review cases and give their opinion on merit. If you are a physician and you want to try this work, you can learn how Kalivar works for medical experts and join the platform.

Get the book

The book is available now on Amazon.