Scharf Addresses Use of Scientific Consultants in Complex Litigation

Partner Stephanie A. Scharf recently discussed some of the benefits and potential pitfalls of retaining experts, in a Chicago Lawyer trend story that describes how lawyers in litigation work with economists, scientists and other specialized consultants. Like a number of partners in the Firm's litigation practice, Ms. Scharf regularly works with non-lawyer experts, especially on engagements representing pharmaceutical, chemical and other scientific and technical companies. Ms. Scharf explained several of the challenges of working with scientific experts, including "working with someone who has to take a stronger position, which is certainly warranted by the science, but that may go against the collegial culture found in medical centers and universities. The medical and scientific cultures attempt to seek a common ground but that is not the legal culture." Ms. Scharf has worked with dozens of experts in many fields of medicine, as well as in psychiatry, psychology, toxicology, epidemiology and pharmaceutical development. Ms. Scharf joined Schoeman Updike & Kaufman LLP this week, opening its Chicago office. She was previously a partner at Jenner & Block LLP where she co-chaired the Products liability and Mass Tort Practice. To view entire Chicago Lawyer article, click here.