For Retaining Counsel
What to Expect When You Retain a Grahall Expert
The roles we serve, the deliverables you receive, how an engagement runs, and how fees work — so you know exactly what you are retaining before the first call.
Ways We're Retained
Testifying Expert
Independent analysis and an expert report for the applicable forum, with deposition, trial or arbitration testimony when included in the agreed engagement.
Consulting Expert
Independent non-testifying compensation analysis for counsel. Counsel determines the appropriate engagement scope and applicable disclosure requirements.
Rebuttal Expert
Independent review of an opposing expert’s report, data and methodology. Any rebuttal report or testimony is included only when separately scoped in the engagement.
Early Case Assessment
A preliminary read on the compensation question before you commit to a litigation posture.
Deliverables matched to your engagement
The Report
Deliverables depend on the agreed role and scope.
A study for counsel’s review explains the compensation opinion, information considered and supporting analysis; it is not a report for court submission.
A court report, rebuttal work and testimony require separate scope and terms, including any applicable disclosure materials.
The Expert
Current qualifications and relevant experience for the proposed expert
Clear explanations of the analysis, assumptions and limitations
Preparation sessions and testimony only when included in the engagement
Ali’s and Michael’s legal CVs and hypothetical samples are available on request.
How an Engagement Works
1. Conflicts Check
Send party names only, without confidential facts or documents. Wait for our confirmation of conflicts clearance before sharing further information.
2. Scope & Engagement
A short call on the issues, timeline, and role — testifying, consulting, or rebuttal — confirmed in an engagement letter with a defined fee structure.
3. Analysis & Report
We review the relevant records and apply our documented methodology. The agreed deliverable may be a preliminary assessment, a study for counsel’s review, or a separately scoped report for court submission.
4. Testimony, when separately retained
Deposition, trial or arbitration testimony is provided only when included in the agreed scope. Preparation and testimony terms are confirmed separately.
Fees & Independence
Hourly or fixed-fee scoping, confirmed in the engagement letter. Most matters begin with a retainer applied against hourly work; report-only engagements can often be scoped at a fixed fee.
No contingent fees, ever. Our fees do not depend on the outcome. We retain responsibility for our independent findings and opinions.
Conflicts checked before facts are shared. Send party names only and wait for confirmation of clearance before sharing confidential information.
A note for CPAs and tax advisors: we regularly support §162 reasonable compensation positions at examination and appeals, working alongside the taxpayer’s existing advisors.