Dr. Eckstat provides consulting, expert witness and forensic investigation services in the scope of Consumer and Industrial Products ranging from appliances to watercraft, including firearms. He is a certified fire and explosion investigator.
Dr. Eckstat has over 30 years experience in gas turbine engine design, development, certification, manufacture, installation, maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, forensic investigation, and customer support. He's recognized as the world's leading expert on a family of Auxiliary Power Units (APU) used in both Commercial and Military airborne and ground applications. In 1997, he was honored as a Contributor to Aviation History in a ceremony at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC.
In most cases, just Dr. Eckstat's Initial Expert Report has been sufficient to result in case settlement. After two days of direct testimony and cross-examination in a lawsuit involving two Fortune 100 companies, the lead attorney that had retained Dr. Eckstat stated that he was the best witness he'd had in over 20 years of practice.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (BSME);
Master of Business Administration (MBA);
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA);
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI CFEI);
Certified Total Quality Management (TQM) trainer with experience in the implementation of leading-edge processes such as six-sigma;
Federally Licensed Gunsmith (Current Federal Firearms License holder);
Arizona Substitute Teacher;
Arizona State Supreme Court Certified Defensive Driving Instructor
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Gunsmithing Association;
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME);
National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI);
SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: I have extensive teaching and speaking experience in the areas of Gas Turbine Engines, Human Potential, Gender Communication, Team Building and Communication, Continuous Improvement, Customer Communication, Change Management and Conflict Management. I also teach Defensive Driving classes.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Gas Turbine Engines; Consumer and Industrial Products Liability; Accident and Fire Investigations.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 85%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 15%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: One. In other cases, my Initial Expert Report was all that was required to result in a settlement.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: One. In other cases, my Initial Expert Report was all that was required to result in a settlement.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: One. In other cases, my Initial Expert Report was all that was required to result in a settlement.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Ten
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, Forensic Examinations, Reports, Training, Expert Witness, Litigation Support
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $300/hour for Aerospace activities;
$200/hour for Generalist activities
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $300/hour for Aerospace activities;
$200/hour for Generalist activities
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $400/hour for Aerospace activities;
$300/hour for Generalist activities
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $400/hour for Aerospace activities;
$300/hour for Generalist activities
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel time is billed at 50% of consulting rate with a daily cap of $500. All other expenses are billed at cost.
