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Abraham Lincoln wasn\u2019t a dentist, nor was he an expert witness. Yet, as a dental expert witness, no figure in history has influenced my professional philosophy more than Lincoln. His legal ethics, storytelling and commitment to truth resonate in my courtroom work more deeply than even the most influential mentors in my field.<\/p>\n
A Role Model for Expert Witnesses<\/h2>\n
Before he was president, Lincoln was arguably the most respected trial lawyer in Illinois. He took on over 5,000 cases during his legal career \u2014 ranging from murder defenses to land disputes \u2014 and was known for his command of logic and decency in the courtroom.<\/p>\n
As an expert witness, I have no partisan role. I don\u2019t argue the law, I explain the science. But Lincoln\u2019s approach shapes how I do that. He prepared thoroughly for every case, reasoned sharply, and always led with fairness. Because each case could change someone\u2019s life for better or worse, I approach depositions and testimony with the same values. When I write an expert report, I imagine I\u2019m presenting it to Lincoln himself \u2014 a man who could spot exaggeration and nonsense from a mile away.<\/p>\n
The Lincoln Way: Lessons on Integrity<\/h2>\n
Lincoln had no problem turning down cases that required him to distort the facts or manipulate the truth. He believed in presenting a case honestly, even if it meant losing. In one murder trial, Lincoln withdrew after concluding that his client was guilty.<\/p>\n
In another case, he was representing a plaintiff in a debt collection case. However, when he realized the evidence contradicted his client\u2019s position, he deliberately stayed out of the courtroom. When the bailiff came to bring him back, Lincoln declined, saying, \u201cTell the Judge I can\u2019t come. My hands are dirty, and I came over to clean them.\u201d <\/p>\n
The judge dismissed the case and summed it up with just two words: \u201cHonest Abe.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a rare ethic in any profession, but especially when maintaining integrity in expert testimony, where pressure can come from interested parties to \u201clean\u201d a certain way or shape an opinion to fit a particular narrative. In my work, I always turn to Lincoln\u2019s words:<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cResolve to be honest at all events; and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n For me, it means never accepting a case that would require me to compromise my morals or professional integrity. That\u2019s the Lincoln way.<\/p>\n Be it inside or outside the courtroom, Lincoln\u2019s speeches were famous for their simplicity. He explained complex ideas in a way that ordinary jurors could understand. As a dental professional, it\u2019s easy to get lost in anatomical jargon or statistical details. But clarity is everything.<\/p>\n I often recall Lincoln\u2019s warning against overcomplication: <\/p>\n \u201cNever use a long word when a short one will do.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n For instance, saying something like \u201cbilateral subcondylar fracture with mild sagittal displacement\u201d would certainly confuse anyone who is not in the dental or medical profession, which most jurors won\u2019t be. Instead, I would simply say: \u201cBoth sides of the lower jaw were cracked and shifted slightly.\u201d Effective communication isn\u2019t about sounding smart; it\u2019s about being understood by your audience.<\/p>\n Lincoln once said, \u201cGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.\u201d A perfect example where he demonstrated his commitment is the 1857 case of Johnston v. Jones and Marsh<\/em>, a long-running federal land dispute over a new stretch of land created by rerouting the Chicago River. Lincoln put his background as a former surveyor and experience in property and waterway law to work.<\/p>\n By the time he joined the case, it had already been tried multiple times over more than a decade. But when the trial resumed in 1860, Lincoln did what few attorneys would. He visited the disputed site himself, took measurements, and immersed himself in the physical details. This paid off in the courtroom. During cross-examination, Lincoln calmly and precisely exposed the surveyor\u2019s lack of accuracy. Without grandstanding, he asked simple, direct questions that revealed the surveyor hadn\u2019t actually measured the critical boundaries he claimed to map.<\/p>\n Lincoln didn\u2019t allow the witness to speculate or editorialize. He focused on hard facts, using his own knowledge to uncover carelessness in the expert\u2019s work. That precision helped persuade the judge to instruct the jury to disregard the flawed survey, ultimately leading to a verdict in Lincoln\u2019s favor. Even more telling, the case later went to the U.S. Supreme Court after Lincoln became President, and the verdict stood<\/a>.<\/p>\n In my line of work, preparation may include reviewing dental X-rays pixel by pixel, studying patient histories, treatment and timelines, and anticipating how opposing counsel might question every conclusion I draw. I sharpen my expert opinion with hours of analysis, peer-reviewed studies, and mock cross-examinations. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve learned that the quiet work before the courtroom is what earns you trust inside it, and upholds the standard of integrity in expert testimony.<\/p>\n Related: \u201cMistakes Lawyers Make When Procurring Expert Witnesses<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Lincoln was funny. Not to mock, but to disarm. He could lighten a courtroom without undermining it. In one case, the outcome hinged on a medical expert whose testimony was often solid. After the doctor took the stand, Lincoln began his cross-examination with this question: \u201cDoctor, how much money are you to receive for testifying in this case?\u201d <\/p>\n The doctor hesitated and asked the judge if he had to answer that question. The judge said yes. The doctor then named a fee so large it left the jury stunned. Lincoln then said, \u201cGentlemen of the jury, big fee, big swear!\u201d That brief, cutting remark was enough. Lincoln had cast doubt on the doctor\u2019s credibility, swaying the jury to his side. As recounted in \u201cLincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote,\u201d he won the case.<\/p>\n I once faced an attorney who tried to challenge my credentials by joking, \u201cSo you\u2019re the tooth fairy with a Ph.D.?\u201d I paused, smiled and replied, \u201cOnly if the tooth fairy works with X-rays and testifies under oath.\u201d The courtroom chuckled, and we moved on.<\/p>\n Lincoln taught me that a little wit, delivered with humility, can level the playing field. Lincoln never took himself too seriously, but always took the law seriously. That\u2019s my goal, too.<\/p>\n Lincoln\u2019s sense of public service went beyond personal ambition. He saw his legal career as a way to help people navigate complex systems and seek justice. I have also come to view my work in the same way.<\/p>\n Yes, I get paid. But more than that, I help the court make sense of information that is presented before it. My testimony might prevent a wrongful conviction, help a victim get justice, or simply bring understanding to something that seems incomprehensible.<\/p>\n Lincoln once wrote: <\/p>\n \u201cThe leading rule for the lawyer is diligence. Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n I aim to apply that same diligence in every case. Because, ultimately, integrity in expert testimony work is more than data; it\u2019s public trust.<\/p>\n In every deposition, every courtroom, and every expert report I write, Abraham Lincoln is there in principle. His straightforward communication shapes how I speak. His ethics guide how I choose cases. His humility keeps me grounded. His courage reminds me to stand firm when it matters.<\/p>\n To most people, Abraham Lincoln is a former president. To lawyers, he\u2019s a role model. To me, he\u2019s both, and more.<\/p>\n Related: A Crack in the Case: Legal Analytics and the Search for Expert Witnesses<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Image \u00a9 iStockPhoto.com. <\/p>\n Sign up for Attorney at Work\u2019s daily practice tips newsletter here<\/a> and subscribe to our podcast<\/a>, Attorney at Work Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Abraham Lincoln\u2019s moral philosophy as a trial lawyer is a roadmap not just for attorneys, but for any expert witness who has ever taken the stand. The post Integrity in Expert Testimony: Why This Expert Witness Loves Abraham Lincoln appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers. Abraham Lincoln\u2019s philosophy as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-149916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149916\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Clear Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Power of Preparation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Humility and Humor in the Courtroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Expert Witness Work as Public Service<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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