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December 10, 2025 | Media Coverage

John Hartog, a partner in Nutter’s Private Client Department, discussed maintaining credibility, attorneys working as experts, and initial calls in the Engaging Experts Podcast. In the episode “Engaging with Estate Planning, Tax Law & Probate Attorney and Expert Witness, John A. Hartog,” John outlined why attorneys should hire experts as early as possible for maximum impact. He explained that this allows time for thorough case analysis, stronger report development, and seamless integration of expert insights into discovery and motion practice. John pointed out, “In my experience, getting hired early has led to a better resolution, whether it’s by settlement or at trial, than hiring late.”

John continued, “The lawyer needs to understand that the expert will not win the case for the lawyer. And the expert needs to understand that the lawyer is hiring the expert for a particular purpose. The expert’s credibility is one of the two or three most valuable aspects of the expert’s testimony, so the expert needs to keep in mind credibility and a solid basis of the opinion. The lawyer needs to remember that this is only one witness that’ll help the case but will not decide it. As with every other witness preparation.”