Engineering Expert Witness Designation Program

In the interest of public safety and in order to maintain the highest quality of engineering design and construction, the AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES initiates this program of Designation as Engineering Expert Witnesses.

Goals

  • Recognize individuals who are dedicated to providing fair and unbiased testimony and investigations.
  • Promote a high level of forensic and expert witness testimony.
  • Help engineers better understand the legal process.
  • Provide education and discussion forums on expert witnessing.
  • Establish guidelines for objectivity of testimony

Administration

  • The program shall be overseen and administered by the Expert Witness Designation Committee of ACEC which shall be representative of the major disciplines of ACEC members. The committee shall review and pass on applications and approve completion of the requirements.
  • ACEC staff shall provide record keeping and secretarial functions which shall include but are not limited to maintaining records, checking references, issuing certificates, other pertinent functions.

Program

  • ACEC shall provide a program at least once each year at which the hours necessary to achieve expert witness status shall be available.
  • The program will be held in various regions of the country.
  • Upon completion of the requirements applicant may use the designation EXW (SM) after their name.
  • The EXW (SM) designation will be valid for three years after which it can be renewed by attendance at an ACEC-approved ethics seminar.

Faculty

The Faculty consists of three individuals:

  • Judicial: Hon. Arthur Bergman
  • Legal: James F. Lee, Esq.
  • Engineering: Guy Wm. Vaillancourt, P.E.

Next program June 20-21, 2013, Chicago, IL.

List of Engineering Expert Witnesses

To see a listing of Expert witnesses click here. (PDF document)

Engineer Expert Witness (EXWSM) Designation

Frequently Asked Questions:
  1. What is the purpose of Engineer Expert Witness (EXWSM) designation?
    • The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), a premier national association with a 100-year history of service to the engineering industry, offers the designation of EXWSM to recognize individuals who are dedicated to providing fair and unbiased testimony and investigations.
  2. What are the benefits of earning the designation of Engineer Expert Witness (EXWSM)?
    • Promotion of a high level of forensic and expert witness testimony
    • Professional recognition in your area of competence
    • Credibility as an expert witness
  3. Am I eligible to become an Engineer Expert Witness (EXWSM ) designation holder?
    • To qualify for the EXWSM designation, you must meet the following requirements:
      • A valid license of Professional Engineer (PE).
      • Ten years of practical experience.
      • Successful completion of ACEC's expert witness course.
      • Have your application reviewed and accepted by the Expert Witness Designation Committee.
      • See below for more.
  4. How will ACEC help me in my role as expert witness after receiving the designation?
    • ACEC will maintain a record of your expert witness credentials and upon your approval release them to any interested party designated by you.

To earn the designation of Engineer Expert Witness (EXWSM ), you must:

  1. Have a valid Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.

  2. Agree to abide by the ACEC Ethical Guidelines.

  3. Show evidence of training, education and experience in the area in which you intend to testify.

  4. Complete 11 hours of ACEC-approved courses which include but are not limited to:
    • Ethical Guidelines.
    • Professional Responsibility.
    • The tenets of impartial expert witness testimony.
  5. Provide 2 letters of reference, one from a professional engineer and one from an attorney.

  6. Receive approval of the ACEC Expert Witness Designation Committee.

  7. Sign an affidavit attesting to:
    • Your specific areas of expertise and agreeing not to testify outside them. You may add other areas later upon re-application.
    • Your willingness to act in a professional manner and agree to have your opinions reviewed.
    • Your release of liability of ACEC and the Expert Witness Designation Committee for all matters concerning this program.
  8. To obtain an Expert Witness Designation application send an email to: ebajer@acec.org.

Resources

  1. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: Rule 26, Disclosure of Expert Testimony.