Expert Witness Preparation During Court Closures: How Attorneys Can Stay Ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped nearly every aspect of professional life, including the legal system. As attorneys continue navigating remote work and delayed proceedings, expert witness preparation during court closures remains an essential way to stay productive and ready for the future.
Homestead Medical Experts continues to help law firms nationwide manage expert referrals, case preparation, and communication during this challenging time. By staying active in case development now, attorneys can move faster once the courts return to full capacity.
Court Operations During COVID-19
When the virus began spreading across the United States, court systems had to adapt quickly. In New Jersey, for example, Chief Justice Rabner extended restricted court operations to April 26, 2020, with other states soon following suit.
Read the official NJ court notice here.
Civil jury and bench trials were adjourned, and most in-person oral arguments were suspended. These closures left many firms facing major slowdowns. For some cases, the delay offered valuable time to prepare; for others, it created uncertainty and frustration.
That’s why forward-thinking attorneys began focusing on expert witness preparation during court closures ensuring their cases would stay on track once dockets reopened.
Strategies to Keep Cases Moving
Even during closures, attorneys can take proactive steps to prepare cases:
1. Explore Arbitration or Mediation
If both parties agree to waive a jury trial, arbitration or mediation can lead to faster resolutions. However, firms should carefully consider arbitration fees before proceeding.
2. Continue Discovery
Depositions can still happen through video or phone conferencing. Although virtual proceedings are not ideal, they allow both sides to continue progress instead of stalling.
3. Prepare for the Future
Court backlogs existed long before COVID-19, and they will likely grow once operations resume. Now is the time to review documents, conduct interviews, and hire experts.
Why Expert Witness Preparation Matters Now
Many experts, especially medical professionals, experienced reduced workloads during the pandemic. With elective surgeries postponed and clinics limited to emergency cases, experts had more availability for case reviews.
Homestead’s medical expert witness network stayed fully operational, connecting attorneys with specialists ready to perform documentation reviews, affidavits, and even IMEs when appropriate. These professionals, eager to stay engaged, provided timely and detailed feedback to help attorneys prepare.
Be Ready When Courts Resume
Court delays have created a significant backlog, making early preparation more valuable than ever. By investing in expert witness preparation during court closures, attorneys can be ready to move immediately when cases are scheduled again.
Homestead Medical Experts continues to operate at full capacity, matching attorneys with vetted experts, facilitating introductions, and managing case progress efficiently. Our proactive approach helps law firms maintain momentum even during disruptions.
Partner with Homestead Medical Experts
Homestead remains a trusted partner for attorneys across the country. With one call, we provide referrals, professional profiles, CVs, and fee schedules—along with a free introductory call between you and your expert.
Call Homestead Medical Experts at (888) 244-3703 or contact us online to start your expert witness referral today. No financial obligation is required until you decide to retain your expert.
