Graduate Economics Credentials for Wisconsin Damages Cases

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

Wisconsin courts screen expert testimony for reliability: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and reliable principles and methods, and whether those methods were reliably applied to the case. An economic damages report is written to that inquiry, with each rate and table traced to a published source. 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin's wage levels, venue, and damages rules.

Wisconsin courts and venues

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

Highest court: Wisconsin Supreme Court. Federal venues: E.D. Wis., W.D. Wis. Court system: wicourts.gov.

Forensic economists for Wisconsin matters

KW Economics provides forensic economists for Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Frequently asked: qualifying a forensic economist in Wisconsin

How do Wisconsin courts qualify a forensic economist?

Wisconsin courts screen expert testimony for reliability: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and reliable principles and methods, and whether those methods were reliably applied to the case. An economic damages report is written to that inquiry, with each rate and table traced 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.

More questions about this credential

References

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