Webinar Archive:  Expert Witness Series

Webinar date:  June 8, 2015

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Description

Two very experienced domestic violence experts discuss their experiences providing testimony about the general dynamics of battering in cases involving intimate partner violence in a variety of settings.  Dr. Linda Barnard, a Marriage Family Therapist based in Sacramento, CA, and Nancy Lemon, a lawyer and professor at UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) discuss the different types of cases in which they have testified (civil, criminal, administrative) and some of the key areas that their testimony often covers such as such as strangulation, suffocation, marital rape, and trauma.  Using numerous case examples, they share their wisdom and some of the critical lessons they've learned over their long careers as domestic violence experts.

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About the Presenters

Linda Barnard is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in private practice in Sacramento since 1981.  In addition to a very active practice, Dr. Barnard has also served as a consultant and trainer for various organizations and programs in northern California.  She holds credentials as a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress from the prestigious American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.  She is also Board Certified in Domestic Violence from that same organization.  Dr. Barnard frequently testifies in court as an expert witness in cases related to domestic violence, sexual assault and traumatic stress.  She is regularly a speaker at seminars and conferences around the state.

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Nancy Lemon has been a leading authority on domestic violence law for three decades.  She is a practicing attorney, author, professor of law, policy advocate, trainer, project director, and expert witness.  Ms. Lemon has published dozens of books and articles, including the textbook, Domestic Violence Law (4th edition, West, 2013).  Since 1988, Professor Lemon has taught Domestic Violence Law at Boalt (UC Berkeley's School of Law).  At Boalt, she directs the Domestic Violence Practicum, and with her students has written many amicus briefs.  In 2012, she co-founded the Family Violence Appellate Project and is the Legal Director.  This state-wide project handles appellate cases involving domestic violence and child abuse.  Ms. Lemon has worked as an expert witness in hundreds of civil, criminal, and asylum cases, and has testified in 70 cases.

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Suggested Participants

This webinar is helpful for both new and experienced domestic violence expert witnesses, as well as people who are considering working as an expert in the future.  This may include social workers, academics, and other professionals who might provide general testimony about battering and its effects.  Additionally, we encourage prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other attorneys who represent victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to participate.

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Click here to access recording.  A copy of the PowerPoint (and any other documents from the webinar) is available by clicking here.