Graduate Economics Credentials for Delaware Damages Cases

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

Delaware courts screen expert testimony for reliability before it reaches the fact finder: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and a method the profession recognizes, and whether the method was reliably applied to the case. A report that states each assumption and its source answers those questions directly. A graduate degree in economics, finance, or business is the first element of that inquiry: it establishes training in the methods the opinion uses, and experience and the testimony record establish that the economist applies them reliably.

Recognition and qualification in Delaware

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.

Education is examined the same way in Delaware as in any other venue: the question is whether the degree covered the tools the opinion actually uses. A master's or doctorate in economics supplies the theory of wages, labor supply, and market behavior behind a lost earnings or lost profits analysis, and an MBA or a master's in finance supplies the financial mathematics, valuation, and financial statement analysis behind a business valuation or a divorce financial analysis. For a matter venued in Delaware, counsel can read the degree against the report: an opinion on present value, worklife, or household services sits squarely inside an economics degree, while a valuation opinion should be backed by valuation training or recognized valuation credentials as well. The degree is confirmed from the transcript or the institution, and it is weighed together with the economist's testimony record rather than on its own.

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

Delaware courts and venues

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

Highest court: Delaware Supreme Court. Federal venues: D. Del. Court system: courts.delaware.gov.

Forensic economists for Delaware matters

KW Economics provides forensic economists for Delaware 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 Delaware

Frequently asked: qualifying a forensic economist in Delaware

How do Delaware courts qualify a forensic economist?

Delaware courts screen expert testimony for reliability before it reaches the fact finder: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and a method the profession recognizes, and whether the method was reliably applied to the case. A report that states each assumption and its source answers those questions directly. 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 Delaware damages matters or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.