Design Expert Witnesses

Design expert witnesses and consultants listed here may be able to form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, provide expert witness testimony at deposition and/or trial as or serve as consulting (non-testifying) experts on design. The design expert witness listings on this page are typically from fields/areas of expertise such as: Accident Reconstruction, Architecture, Automotive, Biomechanics, Chemical Engineering, Construction, Construction Defects, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Failure Analysis, Firearms & Ballistics, Industrial Design, Intellectual Property, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Devices.

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Scott Calkins, PE

Mechanical Eng. Construction Defect Expert Witness

Acorn Consulting Services

Mesa, Arizona
Construction Defects, Mechanical Engineering - HVAC, Plumbing, Standard of Care in Design and Construction, Cleanroom Design, Codes and Standards, Commercial, Residential, Industrial, Gas and Chemical Distribution, Piping, Central Plant, Built Environment, Exhaust, Humidification & Dehumidification, Process piping, Fire Sprinkler, Refrigeration, Design, Construction
Scott Calkins is the Principal of Acorn Consulting Services, bringing extensive expertise across a wide spectrum of roles within the built environment. With a diverse background as an engineer, lecturer, design lead, project manager, and expert witness, Scott offers a unique combination of technical proficiency and practical experience. He is an expert in the evaluation of deficiencies in HVAC systems, cleanrooms, piping systems, refrigeration systems, construction defects and code compliance. Scott is registered as a Professional Mechanical Engineer in multiple states and holds a certified by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for the ease of obtaining licensure in quick order. He is a member of several professional organizations, including: National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Forensic Expert Witness As...
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David J. Brotman, FAIA

Architect with 55+ Yrs Major Project Experience

Sunset Consultants

Scottsdale, Arizona
Architecture, Construction Defects - Standard of Care, Construction Document, Real Estate, Slip trip & fall, Trip & Fall, Delay, Defect, Change Order, Building, Design, Coordination, Code Compliance, Contract Document, Management, Contract Administration, Architectural Detailing, Commercial, Retail, Hotel, Office
David J. Brotman, FAIA, is a nationally recognized architect and expert witness with over five decades of experience in architectural design, construction, and professional practice. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), Mr. Brotman has achieved the highest level of professional distinction. He is celebrated for his contributions to the advancement of architecture nationally and internationally. He spent 25 years with one of the world’s largest architecture and engineering firms, leading worldwide major commercial, retail, institutional, and mixed-use developments. His portfolio includes transformative projects such as the Shanghai Science and Technology Center — a project awarded through an international competition and publicly announced at a press conference in Shanghai by President Bill Clinton and the Mayor of Shanghai — as well as the extensive 1988 renovation and expansion of Tysons Corner Center, which introduced the first Nordstrom on the East Coast a...
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James Caylor, PE

Industrial refrigeration design and analysis

Caylor Engineering & Associates, PLLC

West Fork, Arkansas
Refrigeration, OSHA - Industrial process refrigeration, cold storage, ammonia, carbon dioxide, piping, insulation, design, design review, OSHA, EPA, mechanical code analysis
I have 15 years' experience as a refrigeration service/startup contractor, followed by 25 years' experience as a graduate engineer in industrial refrigeration ammonia and CO2 applications up to 5,000 TR. My engineering experience includes design and project management positions with a D/B contractor, a large food processor, an A&E firm (Deputy Director of the Food & Beverage Group) and my current consulting business. I'm registered as a PE in 19 states and have an NCEES Record. Current committee service includes the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (TC 10.1 and TC 10.2). I have revised portions of chapter 2 in the 2014 and 2018 editions of the ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook, calculations of CO2 piping capacities in chapter 3 of the 2018 RHB and organized the ongoing revisions to chapter 1 of the 2026 RHB. I've been a Member of ASME B31.5 since 2019 and chaired the Committee since 2021. My work with the Refrigerating Engineers and Technic...
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Joel Delman

Design Patent and Trade Dress Expert Witness

Informed Innovation Inc.

Los Angeles, California
Industrial Design, Intellectual Property - Design, Design Patent Infringement, Design Patent Validity, Utility Patent Infringement, Utility Patent Validity, Patent Litigation, Trade Dress Infringement, Trade Dress, Secondary Meaning, Functionality, Likelihood of Confusion, Product Design, Industrial Design, Trademark Infringement, Trademark, Patent
Formerly a corporate lawyer, I graduated Harvard Law School and later earned a Master's in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute. From toys to complex medical devices, I've spent over 30 years guiding innovation through strategic product development, and have helped hundreds of clients bridge the elusive gap between creative insight and commercial success. As design consultant to a broad range of markets and industries, I keep my finger on the pulse of critical trends in consumer electronics, medical devices, transportation, IOT, toys, and a host of other product categories. With clients including LG Electronics, Swingline, Kimberly Clark, Olympus, Qualcomm, Novartis, Fisher Price, Blackberry, Dell, Intel, Disney and Hallmark, I bring that foundation of understanding to my work as design expert witness, and it has proven invaluable to developing effective litigation strategies and legal arguments. Designers think in such a unique way that it's been coined “Design Thinking,” while l...
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Richard K. Pumerantz, PhD

Ammo, Firearm, & Shooting Reconstruction Expert

Guns and Ammo Witness Consulting

Lake Arrowhead, California
Firearms & Ballistics, Accident Reconstruction - firearm, ammunition, ammo, ballistic, gun, cartridge, bullet, projectile, manufacture, load, weapon, antique, reconstruction, training, design, engineering, forensic, shooting, crime, scene
• Court recognized as an expert in Firearms, Ammunition, and Crime/Shooting Scene Reconstruction. • Licenses: Type 10 FFL (Manufacturer of Destructive Devices), Special Occupations Tax Stamp, and all Dangerous Weapons Permits available from the State of California, DOJ. • Ongoing resource/consultant to numerous reloading equipment, projectile, and firearm manufacturers, including the areas of safety, training, and design flaws. • Designed and manufactured firearms and fire control systems. • Certified and testified in crime scene reconstruction and shooting accidents. • Recognized in the firearms industry as an expert in antique and replica cartridge development and manufacturing, including the production of proof loads. “Official” ammunition benchmark for half a dozen firearm manufactures. • Provide educational opportunities on the ammunition manufacturing process and corresponding toolmarks for law enforcement agencies, specifically for their crime lab and firearm unit techn...
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Louis Vanacore, PE, PMP, CxP, CMRP

J.B. Shepherd and Company

Marianna, Florida
Engineering, Construction - Management, Causal Analysis, Quality, Reliability, Safety, Design, Project Execution, Commissioning
LICENSES / CERTIFICATION: Florida Registered Professional Engineer License 14569 Project Management Professional (PMP) 1360434 Building Commissioning Professional Certification (BCxP) 8257201 Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) 151868 Florida General Contractors License CGC004831 (not active) Louis Vanacore is a Senior Associate Engineer with J.B. Shepherd and Company. Louis practices in the intersection of quality processes, design requirements, and management controls. Using a combination of awareness of system methodologies, human motivations, causal examination; a root cause for operational accidents, or product failures can be established. Louis’ broad and diverse experiences enable him to relate disparate information to establish the sequence of decisions, conditions, and actions which precipitate incidents. Louis’ experiences range from significant Federal government energy, military, and civil programs, industrial manufacturing, industrial proc...
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Sanford Kaminsky, AIA, NCARB

Construction Defects Testifying Architect

m2e Consulting Engineers

Miami - Coral Gables, Florida
Architecture, Construction Defects - Standard of Care, Failure Analysis, Construction Documents, Defect, Change Order, Building, Design, Condominium, Hospitality, Casino, gaming, Code Compliance, Contract Document, Field Management, Contract Administration, Commercial, Highrise, Retail, Hotel, Condo-Hotel
With over four decades of experience in architecture, construction, and litigation support, I am a Nationally Board-Certified Architect and a proud American Institute of Architects (AIA) member. My portfolio encompasses multi-billion-dollar projects worldwide—including retail, office, hotel, institutional, aerospace, and mixed-use developments—covering every facet of architectural practice, from design and construction to defect mitigation and resolution of class-action claims. My expertise extends to Luxury Condominium litigation and Casino Gaming Hospitality, where I have provided specialized insights into the unique challenges associated with high-profile, complex developments. These include addressing construction defects, water intrusion, and operational compliance for large-scale residential and hospitality environments. As an expert witness, I have supported plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes construction defect litigation. My services include field investigations, wa...
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Lester Weitman

Lester Weitman Consulting, LLC

Coral Springs, Florida
Automotive, Products Liability - wiring, electrical, fire, defect, design, failure, electronics, battery, motor, module, engineering, connector, instrument, cluster, speedometer, HVAC, charging, alternator, starter, validation
Providing Expert Witness and Failure Analysis services for design, manufacturing or assembly defects and preventable errors. Will uncover root cause(s) of product defects to identify culpable party. My credible and clear Expert Reports and depositions have been key in achieving successful out-of-court settlements for my fire subrogation clients. Expert in Failure Analysis and Forensic Engineering of automotive electrical fires and accidents caused by electrical, wiring or electronics due to defects, design flaws or assembly errors. M.I.T. BSEE (ME minor), UD Mercy (MIT curriculum) MS in Product Development and Systems Engineering, and UD Mercy EngD Doctoral coursework completed. Over forty years of automotive electronic and mechanical product design, development, manufacturing and field failure analysis experiences. A Six-Sigma Black belt trained strategic and systems thinker, achieved millions of dollars in cost and quality improvements by designing and launching various elect...
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Mari S Truman, MS, PE

Injury Biomechanics, Orthopaedics Medical Devices

OrthoBioMech LLC

Warsaw, Indiana
Biomechanics, Medical Devices - Occupant Motion, Injury Biomechanics, Orthopedics, Medical Product Liability, Duties of Manufacturer, Design, Testing, Manufacturing, Warnings, Instructions for Use, Injury Event Reconstruction, Failure Analysis, Injury Pattern, Soft Tissue Injury, Low Speed Collisions, Falls, Impacts, Sports
Licensed Professional Engineer Medical Device Design & Development  40+ years orthopaedic device development  14 patents Testified in State and Federal Courts , Injury Biomechanics and Medical Device Litigation  35+ trials  150+ depositions 46 years of experience in the biomechanics and orthopedics fields, 24 years forensic case analyses. I routinely deal with forces that are applied to the human body during many activities, including impact and injury scenarios. To assure the safety and efficacy of new medical devices, we define clinically relevant performance requirements for their installation and use, and then test to define the product specific performance characteristics. The physical principles and methods used in orthopedic biomechanics are the same as those used to reconstruct injury events. I am familiar with forces and loads applied to the hips, knees, wrist, shoulder, head, neck, lower back and skeleton in many typical activities, including sitting, walking, jumpin...
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Ole E Haaland, PE

ANNA Inc.

Annapolis, Maryland
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering - electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, power plant, nuclear, gas turbine, generator, engineering, relays, design, contractor, commissioning, marine, Electrical Power, Utility, Power, Electrical Generation, Generation
SUMMARY Mr. Haaland has thirty four years experience in power production, design, construction, and commissioning, with 27 years managing people and projects. He is a registered professional engineer in Maryland and held a Senior Reactor Operator’s license at Indian Point #3 Nuclear Power Plant. Experience is in conventional, nuclear, and alternate fuel power plant mechanical and electrical systems management, design, construction, plant outage management, start-up, performance testing, and operation. He has performed as Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Commissioning Manager for several Greenfield power projects. He has successfully engineered, estimated, planned, executed work, and provided troubleshooting services for power plants of varied prime movers. His has been instrumental in meeting contractual and schedule requirements. EDUCATION AND COMMITTIES BSME, New York Institute of Technology, 1980 IEEE-45.1 Shipboard Power Systems – Design Committee ASSOCIATIONS...
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David Alley, PE

ANNA Inc.

Annapolis, Maryland
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering - electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, power plant, nuclear, gas, oil, coal, marine, design, commissioning
SUMMARY Electrical Power Plant Consulting Engineer and Project Manager experienced in • Switchgear, protection and control systems design, installation, startup, 
commissioning, performance testing and troubleshooting for • cogeneration, hydroelectric, geothermal, combustion turbine, steam 
turbine, diesel, gasoline and gas fired reciprocating engines and nuclear 
power plants and related equipment and systems for • power plant owners, facility owners, utilities, U. S. Navy, U. S. Air Force, 
US Coast Guard, MSC, environmental engineers, power system component manufacturers and switchgear & control systems manufacturers • Forensic expert witness and consultancy related to electrical engineering in electric power systems. 
 EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS • MBA, Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 1983-1985. • BSEE, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 1968-1972 LICENSES Registered Professional Electrical Engineer, in as ...
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Chris Scott, PhD

Material Answers LLC

Weston, Massachusetts
Chemical Engineering, Failure Analysis - polymer, plastic, rubber, coating, materials, material science, material engineering, thermoplastic, thermoset, composite, design, manufacturing, adhesive, ink, automotive, medical device, aerospace, packaging, accident, defect
Dr. Chris E. Scott is President of Material Answers LLC. He specializes in material structure, properties, and processing. His work emphasizes thermoplastics, thermosets, blends, composites, and multicomponent formulations. He has extensive experience with manufacturing, product development, product design, and failure analysis. Systems investigated include plastics, composites, coatings, paints, adhesives, rubbers, fibers, suspensions, emulsions, and pastes. In particular, Dr. Scott has published extensively on the topics of polymer processing and structure relationships, compounding and mixing in multiphase polymer systems, and structure and morphology development during polymer processing. He is the inventor on 11 U.S. patents, author of more than 30 articles in peer reviewed journals, author of 40 conference proceedings, and has presented more than 50 seminars to industry and government organizations. Dr. Scott has conducted failure analysis investigations and developed p...
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Moiz Khan, PhD

Surgical Robotics Expert Witness

Consult Robotics

North Grafton, Massachusetts
Engineering, Medical Devices - surgical robotics, medical robotics, robotics, rehabilitation, simulation, design, strategy, marketing, endoluminal, orthopedic, artificial intelligence, AI
Dr. Moiz Khan is a senior robotics and artificial intelligence expert with deep experience at the intersection of advanced engineering systems, AI enabled physical technologies, and real world deployment. He currently serves as Head of Market Development, where he leads strategy and technical engagement across robotics, autonomy, embedded systems, and AI driven manufacturing, working closely with industry, academia, and government stakeholders. Dr. Khan holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on medical and rehabilitation robotics from Columbia University and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School in surgical robotics, where he developed minimally invasive surgical systems and algorithms. His academic background spans robotics, control systems, perception, simulation, and human machine interaction, with applied experience across healthcare, autonomous systems, industrial automation, and embedded AI platforms. He has published numerous papers in leading...
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Roy E Masters, Jr. MSME, PE

Product Safety, Liability, & Failure to Perform

REM2 Enterprises

Berrien Springs, Michigan
Engineering, Products Liability - burn, fire, shock, appliance, dryer, design, test, code, safety, failure, warning, analysis, literature, instruction, inspection, liability, expert, litigation, performance, warranty
Specialization in design for safety, failure investigation and testing, failure to perform, support for litigation, and product design and safety training for the consumer products industry. Qualifications: 1) Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering 2) Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan 3) Certified Six Sigma (statistics) Blackbelt by Whirlpool Corporation 4) Product Safety Tools Training and application at Whirlpool Corporation 5) 30+ years of product design, including automotive, household appliance, industrial product industries. I worked in the consumer goods industry for 19 of my 30+ years in engineering, with extensive experience in the design and testing of consumer products. Knowledge expert for all major clothes dryer and washer/dryer combo types (electric, gas, heat pump, and condensing), including airflow systems, centrifugal fan design, lint collection systems, lint deposit problems, household dryer exhaust venting systems, heater element design,...
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Robert (Rob) C Hoffman Jr, PE, CFEI

Expert in Design, Product Safety, Risk, and Fire

Creative Product Solutions, LLC

Coloma, Michigan
Engineering, Safety - fire, shock, burn, appliance, product, design, test, code, safety, failure, analysis, warning, instruction, literature, product safety, containment, inspection, litigation, product liability, expert
Specialize in design for safety, force failure testing, and product litigation support for the consumer goods industry. Knowledge source in the US on appliance fires, with specific detailed knowledge on dryer fires and their causes. Qualifications: Registered professional engineer in the state of Michigan Certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI) Master certified in design for safety Master certified in force failure testing Certified in experimental statistics and statistical process control Member of the UL Standards Technical Panel for appliance codes related to clothes washers and dryers I worked in the consumer goods industry in appliances for over 28 years, which gave me the opportunity to serve on the dryer safety committee for the American Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), as well as work extensively with Underwriters Laboratory ( UL) and CSA. Recognized as a significant knowledge source in the US on dryer fires and their causes, I was instrumental in the deve...
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John D. Zeirke, P.E., ACTAR, CFEI, CVFI

Mechanical Engineering Expert Witness

JZ Engineering, LLC

Blaine, Minnesota
Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction - Mechanical, Automotive, Powersports, Equipment, Fire, EDR, Drone, Design, Forensic, Powertrain, Caterpillar, Gears, Driveline, Gearbox, Agriculture, Failure, Bearing, Liability, Recall, Defect
Licensed professional engineer in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University and over 20 years of experience in product and system design & development and forensic investigation. Specialties: • Mechanical inspections, accident reconstruction and vehicle fire analysis. • Damage assessments of heavy machinery and agricultural equipment. • EDR downloads of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks and pre-crash data analysis. • Mechanical related property failure analysis, including boilers, water heaters, and pipe freezes. • Aerial drone photography and videography of vehicle accident scenes and tall structures.
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Adam Edmonds, BSME, CPO, FAAOP

Failure analysis of prosthetic and orthotic device

Springfield , Missouri
Failure Analysis, Prosthetics - Design, Manufacturing, Orthotics, Train
I am a Prosthetist, Orthotist, and mechanical engineer specializing in design, fabrication, and training in the proper use of custom and off-the-shelf orthoses and custom prosthesis. My strengths include designing custom, manufactured, 3D printed devices to improve patient outcomes, training and equipping other professionals in the field. I systematically investigate causes of device malfunctions, failures in order to improve design, patient safety, and enhance device performance and longevity. Experience Cox Health Center for Prosthetics & Orthotics, Springfield MO 2014 - Present Certified Prosthetic & Orthotic Clinician Design, fabricate, and train in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Clinically mentored and assisted in gaining accreditation for 4 colleagues. Served as a 3D Printing Computer Aided Designer and Manufacturing Engineering Specialist Presented as a featured speaker for the Innovation Accelerator and Leadership Development Institute, CoxHealth Trauma C...
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Scott J. Anson, Ph.D., P.E.

Forensic Engineer - Mechanical & Materials

Anson Engineering, LLC

Harleton (Longview), Texas
Mechanical Engineering, Failure Analysis - Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Failure Analysis, Forensic Engineering, Manufacturing, Design, Warnings - Marketing Defect, Oil & Gas, Metallurgy, Stress, Root Cause, Safety Hierarchy Application, Lab Analysis, Inspection, Firearms, Electronics, Field Investigation, Fracture, Golf Cart, ATVs/UTVs
Dr. Scott Anson has been practicing and teaching engineering for over 30 years. The first 8 years were in industry engineering roles involving process development and tooling design, as well as extensive laboratory failure analysis. During his over 22+ yr. academic career he held multiple industry appointments simultaneous with his academic role, in addition to his independent consulting work. He provides forensic engineering services involving product design, manufacturing defects, and warnings/instructions (marketing defects) and workplace injuries. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in TX, GA, LA, OK and has an active NCEES record to facilitate efficient licensing in additional states. Dr. Anson has complementary skills in four key dualities that uniquely enhance his effectiveness in forensic engineering and expert witness services. 1) He is formally trained and experienced in both Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering, which enables him to assess bot...
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Khalid Sorensen, PhD

Robotics & Automation Technology Founder

Finity Engineering LLC.

College Place, Washington
Mechanical Engineering, Intellectual Property - Automation, Robotics, Machine, Design, Mechatronics, Dynamics, Motion Control, Vibration, Segway, Product Liability, Machine Vision, Sensors, Traction, Tire Mechanics, Cranes, Warnings, ASRS, Aviation, Palletizing, Depalletizing
Twenty years of experience developing and implementing mechatronic, motion control, and automation technologies. Founder of a motion-control technology company where the industry-recognized motion-control technologies were key drivers in the acquisition of his company 5 years after inception by a global leader in automation. Served as CTO at a world-class supplier of large-scale automation, control, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear handling solutions. Responsibilities include providing technical oversight of critical projects; identifying and mitigating areas of high technical risk; leading in the creation of cutting-edge control, automation, and robotic technologies; directing R&D efforts; managing the business’ technology portfolio; and disseminating and facilitating the use of best-practice engineering methodologies. Adjunct Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he lectures on various engineering topics. These include: Dynamics, Advanced Controls, Vibration...