Building Your Medicolegal Practice: From Your First Instruction to Becoming a Trusted Expert Witness

By Dr Russell Keenan, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Expert Witness

Making the decision to become an expert witness is an exciting step in your professional career. You have invested years developing your clinical expertise, undertaken expert witness training and prepared your medicolegal CV. It is therefore understandable to expect that instructions will soon follow.

The reality, however, is that building a successful medicolegal practice takes time. Like any professional service, your reputation is built gradually through experience, relationships and consistency. If you are new to expert witness work and have not yet received your first instruction, don’t be discouraged. Every experienced expert witness started in exactly the same position.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a lack of early instructions means something is wrong. More often than not, it simply means that the legal profession does not yet know who you are. Solicitors and barristers regularly instruct experts they know and trust, and naturally return to those who have previously delivered high-quality work. Your challenge is not proving your expertise – it is making yourself visible.

A good place to start is by building a professional profile. Your medicolegal CV should be concise, current and written with legal professionals in mind. Clearly define your areas of expertise, your clinical experience, the types of cases you accept and any expert witness training you have completed. Alongside this, ensure your online presence reflects your professional standing. A well-maintained LinkedIn profile, a listing on reputable expert witness directories and a professional biography all make it easier for instructing parties to find you.

Visibility, however, is only one part of the picture. Building relationships is equally important. Many clinicians are uncomfortable with the idea of networking, often seeing it as self-promotion. In reality, networking is about becoming part of the wider medicolegal community. Attending conferences, joining professional organisations, participating in educational events and engaging with fellow experts all help to raise your profile. These opportunities also provide valuable insight into current legal issues and allow you to learn from experienced colleagues.

Writing articles, contributing to professional publications and speaking at conferences can also help establish your credibility. Sharing your knowledge demonstrates your commitment to your specialty and increases your visibility within the legal profession. You do not need to become a prolific author overnight; even occasional contributions can make a meaningful difference over time.

When your first instruction does arrive, it can be tempting to accept every case that comes your way. While enthusiasm is understandable, it is important to remain disciplined. Only accept instructions that fall squarely within your expertise and be realistic about the time you can dedicate to each case. Solicitors value experts who are honest about their availability just as much as they value technical expertise. It is far better to decline a case than to accept one you cannot complete to the required standard or within the court timetable.

Remember that every report you produce contributes to your professional reputation. Delivering a clear, well-reasoned and balanced opinion, meeting agreed deadlines and communicating promptly with instructing solicitors will often lead to repeat instructions. The legal profession is a surprisingly small community, and recommendations between firms are common. One excellent report can generate opportunities that extend far beyond the original case.

Equally important is recognising that building a medicolegal practice is a continuous learning process. Every instruction presents an opportunity to refine your report writing, improve your communication and deepen your understanding of legal procedure. Continue investing in your professional development by attending refresher training, keeping up to date with changes in court rules and learning from more experienced experts. Even after many years of practice, there is always something new to learn.

Patience is perhaps the most valuable quality of all. Some experts receive instructions within weeks of launching their practice, while for others it may take many months. This variation is perfectly normal and is influenced by factors such as specialty, demand, geography and existing professional networks. Avoid comparing your journey with that of others. Instead, focus on steadily strengthening your profile, expanding your network and maintaining the highest professional standards.

Finally, remember that success as an expert witness should not be measured solely by the number of reports you produce. A sustainable medicolegal practice is built on trust, independence and reliability. Solicitors are looking for experts who communicate well, meet deadlines, remain impartial and consistently produce high-quality opinions. These qualities develop over time and become the foundation of a lasting reputation.

Every established expert witness began with a first instruction. If you are just starting your medicolegal journey, remain patient, continue investing in your professional profile and make the most of every opportunity to connect with the wider medicolegal community. Your expertise has already been developed through years of clinical practice. Building your reputation as an expert witness is simply the next stage of that professional journey, and one that is well worth the effort.