Montana courts apply a reliability inquiry to novel scientific evidence and otherwise ask whether the economist is qualified by training and experience and whether the opinion will help the fact finder, leaving the weight of the testimony to cross-examination. An economic damages report is therefore examined on its inputs: whether each rate, table, and assumption traces to the record and to a published source. 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.
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 Montana, counsel verify the qualification the same way in every venue, because no state licenses forensic economists and there is no Montana 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 Montana, 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 Montana's wage levels, venue, and damages rules.
Economic damages experts testify in Montana's courts, where qualification is decided case by case on education, method, and experience rather than on any single credential.
Highest court: Montana Supreme Court. Federal venues: D. Mont. Court system: courts.mt.gov.
KW Economics provides forensic economists for Montana 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.
Montana courts apply a reliability inquiry to novel scientific evidence and otherwise ask whether the economist is qualified by training and experience and whether the opinion will help the fact finder, leaving the weight of the testimony to cross-examination. An economic damages report is therefore examined on its inputs: whether each rate, table, and assumption traces to the record and to a published source. 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.
Request a consultation on Montana damages matters or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.