I was raised to be a gentleman. My parents taught me to respect those around me, even when they are being aggressive or rude. 
In fact, they let me know that sometimes “good manners” meant putting up with other people’s bad manners. Those lessons have served me well over my career. As an instructor, author, and consultant for SEO and digital media, there are times when it’s essential to keep my cool. For instance, in my area I am considered the best expert witness for SEO cases and am used to presenting in a courtroom. When an abrasive lawyer questions my evidence, I mind my manners and stick to the facts.
It’s tough to get rattled when you are confident about your data. And digital forensics is my wheelhouse. I can speak on digital marketing trademark infringement, pay-per-click (PPC) tactics, and the domain name process. I can talk about consumer confusion around online advertising. Don’t worry about the opposition trying to confuse me! As a social media expert witness, my reputation is as solid as my nerves.
Don’t Underestimate “Mr. Nice Guy.”
As previously stated, no one should mistake my “niceness” for weakness. I want to align with the best and the brightest attorneys. And they want to get the truth to about their case. No lawyer worth their salt will ask a professional expert witness to go soft on the facts because, honestly, it won’t give them an edge in the courtroom during cross-examination.
Harsh words and accusations just roll off my back. I understand both sides are working hard to win their case. So, I’m used to abrasive lawyers questioning my evidence. They might look at me and my demeanor and think I’m easy to take down. But that would be a big mistake. I’ve been doing this for a long time. Remember, I teach businesses how to improve their social media presence, and maintaining an honest digital strategy is my “bread and butter.” So, when it comes to providing a thorough presentation and answering questions, I’ll be nice but not “too nice.” There’s no sugar-coating the language or the situation.
Four Ways the Other Lawyer Will Try to Discredit your SEO Expert Witness
Seasoned legal professionals probably know this already, but the SEO legal field is still relatively new. And younger lawyers may need to pay attention to a few tips from their more mature colleagues. I may not know “the law,” but I know the tactics and questions the opposing counsel will use to try and discredit me. Such as:
- Find inconsistency in the evidence. As someone who’s watched new digital media platforms rise and others die off, my historical knowledge contributes to the testimony. The best expert witness knows the hidden story behind online reputations and defamation.
- Lack of firsthand knowledge or experience with the events in question. A legal team never has to worry about what I know and don’t know. During the initial meeting, we will discuss the case thoroughly. I’ll be honest about what I can and cannot do to help win.
- Question credibility. Here’s where being polite but stern seriously comes into play. I will not lie, mislead, or doctor up evidence to give a lawyer an “edge” for their argument. My data and facts are 100% what I’ve collected and know to be true. I will not budge on that for anyone, so understand you will only get the truth from me.
- Question their reputation. The best expert witness teaches Social Media courses at one of the best universities in California. As a professor who teaches classes at Stanford University, it’s my career to know past, present, and upcoming digital changes. Do you need to understand how Google Ads and algorithms work (https://www.jasonmcdonald.org/adwords/adwords-expert-witness/)? Are you seeking an expert witness to explain the connections between Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter)? My lengthy knowledge base is well-known and can benefit you.
If you need a digital expert witness in either California State court (https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/) or Federal court (https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/), I have experience in both. As the best expert witness for SEO investigation and analytics, you can count on this “Mr. Nice Guy” to be polite, but firm on the facts!
