Graduate Economics Credentials 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. 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 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.

Education is examined the same way in Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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 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.