It’s been a real honor working with the readers of this newsletter during the past few years. I look forward to continuing our relationship and wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year.
As I mentioned in the last issue, I believe in community service. In June area leaders approached me to challenge an incumbent commissioner for a seat on the board of our public hospital district. I agreed, and on November 3 I was elected with a humbling 72% of the vote. On January 5, I will join the 5 member governing board of Evergreen Hospital where I have focused my professional career for the past 35 years.
It seems a comfortable fit. I enjoy the people with whom I have worked and the things we have accomplished together. I have learned to recognize quality health care and look forward to assuring that our community continues to benefit from it. And I look forward to continuing to work with you.
As most of you know, I am proud of the fact that I review cases for both plaintiff and defense attorneys. It gives me credibility, and in my new role that credibility should only grow for clients of both sides.
While most of my income from this work the past couple years has come from defense cases, I review far more cases for plaintiff attorneys. I enjoy both, and the balance gives me credibility in both arenas. My greatest honor is being asked by an opposing attorney to review a case following settlement of a matter in which we were once adversaries.
Now, when assisting a defense attorney with a case, I might be seen by a plaintiff attorney as biased, supporting a hospital or physician because of my role as a hospital board member. And, when assisting a plaintiff attorney with a case, I might be seen by the defense as a “hired gun.” Neither assertion is appropriate.
As always, I remain committed to the truth and work for the side that has what I believe to be the strongest case. Clients on both sides appreciate that I am able to point out not only where their case is strong, but where it is weak.
Assuming I am giving defense testimony, I will continue to emphasize that the large majority of the malpractice cases I review come to me from plaintiff attorneys. If so many plaintiff attorneys trust my opinion, the fact that I am testifying for the defense should strengthen my credibility in jurors’ eyes.
On the other hand, if I am giving testimony for a plaintiff, the fact that over 41,000 voters in my community trust me enough not only to care for them but also to serve on their hospital board, my testimony cannot be dismissed so easily by the defense.
I look forward to continuing to hear from you whenever you need an objective opinion from a credible witness. As I said last month (Certificate of Merit overturned), if you want something else, you can probably find it.