Forensic Economist Qualifications for Minnesota Damages Cases

By Christopher Skerritt, M.Ed., MBA, Chief of Economic Services · Published · Reviewed

Minnesota courts ask whether a method is generally accepted in the relevant professional community and whether it was reliably applied in the particular case, with the witness qualified by training and experience. The published methods of forensic economics meet the first question, so the examination of a damages report usually turns on its inputs and their support in the record. The forensic economist qualification is what that inquiry examines: graduate training in economics, finance, or business, a published damages method applied to the record, and a record of reports and testimony.

Recognition and qualification in Minnesota

State recognition: Recognized nationally; no state licensure applies. There is no state license for forensic economists to check, so counsel verify the credential with its issuer and review the economist's testimony record directly.

For a matter venued in Minnesota, counsel verify the qualification the same way in every venue, because no state licenses forensic economists and there is no Minnesota register to check. The elements are the economist's graduate training, the published method behind each component of the report, and the testimony record, and each can be examined directly: the CV, the report's stated sources, and the transcripts of prior depositions. In Minnesota, the same elements are what the court weighs when the opinion is challenged, so a report that ties every input to the record and names its data sources answers the qualification question before it is asked.

KW Economics economists apply nationally recognized methods while accounting for Minnesota's wage levels, venue, and damages rules.

Minnesota courts and venues

Economic damages experts testify in Minnesota's courts, where qualification is decided case by case on education, method, and experience rather than on any single credential.

Highest court: Minnesota Supreme Court. Federal venues: D. Minn. Court system: mncourts.gov.

Forensic economists for Minnesota matters

KW Economics provides forensic economists for Minnesota damages matters, including remote consultation, report preparation, and deposition or trial testimony where the case is venued. Contact us to discuss availability for your matter.

Other credentials in Minnesota

Frequently asked: qualifying a forensic economist in Minnesota

How do Minnesota courts qualify a forensic economist?

Minnesota courts ask whether a method is generally accepted in the relevant professional community and whether it was reliably applied in the particular case, with the witness qualified by training and experience. The published methods of forensic economics meet the first question, so the examination of a damages report usually turns on its inputs and their support in the record. Recognized nationally; no state licensure applies. There is no state license for forensic economists to check, so counsel verify the credential with its issuer and review the economist's testimony record directly.

More questions about this credential

References

Request a consultation on Minnesota damages matters or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.