Mr. Somerson's experience spans more than forty years of comprehensive security management consulting services. The majority of his work has involved analysis of potential threats, determination if existing strategies are adequate and the design of appropriate defensive strategies in commercial, retail, industrial, institutional and government environments. Mr. Somerson has originated strategies in risk assessment, security system design, crime prevention, foreseeability studies, adequacy of security analysis, crisis management, security awareness, executive protection, crowd control and the development of security management training and orientation curricula. He founded and operated a security services company providing security guard resources, crowd control services, alarm system installations and service, central station alarm monitoring, and special business investigations for more than 20 years.
Mr. Somerson is a recognized lecturer, an authoritative leader, and innovator in the security management profession. His articles have been published extensively. He has been cited in text books, chaired committees, and has lectured frequently at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania and at St. Joseph's University. He formerly taught security courses at Temple and West Chester Universities. He is currently on the Editorial Advisory Boards of Security Journal, published in Association with the ASIS Foundation by Perpetuity Press, Leicester, UK; the College Security Report, Rusting Publications; and Security Management Bulletin, Bureau of Business Practices.
Professional references available upon request. Since 1989 Mr. Somerson has maintained a relational database of all consulting and expert witness assignments. Reports of industries served, types of services rendered, lists of testimony at trial and/or deposition, etc. are easily prepared from these data.
Security Expert Witness Ira Somerson's areas of expertise include: Security Systems, Apartment security, office building security, Parking lots, Background investigations, Physical security, Bars/lounges/night clubs, Policies and procedures, Concerts, Premises liability, Condominium security, Residential security, Crime prevention, School safety, Crowd control, School security, Crowd management, Security design, Facility security, Security misconduct, Security standards, Guard operations, Security training, Guard performance, Hospital security, Shoplifting, Hotel security, Shopping centers, House security, Special event security, Investigations, Sporting events, Supervision standards, Theft of trade secrets, Violence on campus, Loss prevention procedures, Workplace violence, Negligent hiring, Premises Security Liability, Security Officer Consulting, Expert Witness Security, Security Procedures Development, Security Awareness Programs, Security Training, Foreseability Analysis, Security Systems Consultant.
Loss Management Consultants, Inc.
650 Sentry Parkway
Suite One
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Phone: 800-848-4308 or 610-279-5450
Fax: 610-279-3548
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.S. Temple University (Business Administration)
Graduate Studies Temple University
Professional Studies; Continued security education during military service and through professionally sponsored symposia
Board Certified Forensic Examiner (BCFE) by the American Board of Forensic Examiners July, 1994 (Diplomate Identification #225)
Certified Protection Professional (CPP) by the American Society for Industrial Security (Certificate #259, September, 1977)
Certified Municipal Police Instructor by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Certification number MP1533, 1976)
Award: Paul Hansen Distinguished Service Award, American Society for Industrial Security September, 1988
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Academy for Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration, Philadelphia High School Academies, Inc.
Currently, member, Board of Governors
American Board of Forensic Examiners
Currently, member
Board Certified Forensic Examiner
American Society for Industrial Security
Formerly, chairman, Safeguarding Proprietary Information Committee
Formerly, president and member, Board of Directors, ASIS Foundation, Inc.
Formerly Regional Vice President (Region XVI), ASIS
Formerly, Chapter Chairman, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, ASIS
International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety
Currently, General Member
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Member, Private Sector Liaison Committee
International Association of Professional Security Consultants
Currently, member
Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Currently, life member
Police Futurists International
Currently, member
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: West Chester University
West Chester, PA
Instructor: 3 Semester Hour Course
Spring Semester, 1988/1989 - Industrial Security
Instructor: 3 Semester Hour Course
Fall Semester, 1988/1989 - Retail Security
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of Business
Department of Criminal Justice & Law
Guest Lecturer (1985 through 1996): Corporate Crime
American Society for Industrial Security
Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Annual Seminar, March 1989
Lecture: Predictability of Crimes Against Persons
American Society for Industrial Security
International Society Convention, September 1989, Boston, MA
Lecture: Security Force Management
Crime Prevention Officers of Western Pennsylvania
Educational Seminar, January, 1989, Pittsburgh, PA
Lecture: Predictabilty of Crimes Against Persons
Crime Prevention Officers of Western Pennsylvania
Educational Seminar, April, 1989, Pittsburgh, PA
Lecture: Predictabilty of Crimes Against Persons
American Institute of Design Drafting
Annual Convention, April, 1989, Philadelphia, PA
Lecture: Safeguarding Proprietary Information
International Association of Professional Security Consultants
Annual Convention, April, 1989, Phoenix, AZ
Lectures: Predictabilty of Crimes Against Persons
Use of Computers As A Security Management Tool
International Security Conference
Regional Security Expositions:
March, 1988, Orlando, FL
September, 1988 - New York, NY
January, 1989 - Dallas, TX
April, 1989 - Anaheim, CA
Lecture at each: Statistical Analysis in Security Management
Society Hill Towers, Philadelphia, PA
Owners Association & Residents Meeting
Lecture: May, 1989 - Security Officer Management
Lecture: October, 1989 - Personal Security for Residents
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY
Research and Development Seminar
Lecture: Safeguarding Propietary Information
American Society for Industrial Security
Lehigh Valley Chapter Annual Seminar - June, 1989
Lecture: Predictabilty of Crimes Against Persons
Apartment Association of Greater Philadelphia
General Membership Meeting - January, 1990
Lecture: "Are You Really Secure?"
American Society for Industrial Security
Greater Philadelphia Annual Seminar - March, 1990
Lecture: Advancements in Security Management
American Society for Industrial Security
International Workshop, Atlantic City, NJ - April, 1990
Lecture: Safeguarding Propietary Information
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City - April, 1990
Lecture: Developments in Information Databases for Security Management
Government Workplace Conference, Washington, DC - May 1990
Lecture: Preparing a Plan for Building Security
Philadelphia Condominium Manager's Association, Phildelphia, PA - August, 1990
Lecture: Security Plan to Avoid Civil Liability
American Society for Industrial Security
International Seminar, San Francisco, CA - September, 1990
Lecture: Benefits of Benchmarking to Security Management
American Society for Industrial Security
International Seminar, San Francisco, CA - September, 1990
Lecture: Planning a Safeguarding Proprietary Information Program
The 1900 Surveillance Conference and Exposition, Crystal City, VA - November, 1990
Lecture: Technology and Cultural Management
American Society for Industrial Security
Regional Seminar, Detroit, MI - March, 1991
Lecture: Consultants - Getting More For Your Money
National Security Institute
National Seminar, Alexandria, VA - March, 1991
Lecture: Information Security: Wave of the Future
American Society for Industrial Security
National Workshop, Tucson, AZ - March, 1991
Workshop Narrator & Lecture: I Want Your Information!
Institute of Real Estate Management Delaware Valley and South Jersey Chapters
Seminar, Preparing for Emergencies, Voorhees, NJ - May, 1991
Lecture: Developing Emergency Procedures and a Crime Prevention Program
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region II Conference,
Lake Harmony, PA - June, 1991
Lecture: Managing Crime Prevention
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, 33rd Annual
Conference & Exposition, Halifax, Nova Scotia - July, 1991
Lecture: Security Management; Benchmarking as a Security Tool and Task Forcing
Litton Specail Devices, Management Club, Media, PA - July, 1991
Lecture: Benefits of an Information Security Program
Police Chiefs of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Phildelphia, PA - Oct. 1991
Lecture: Developing Emergency Procedures Plan
Insitute of Real Estate Management, Chapter #3, Philadelphia, PA - Oct. 1991
Lecture: Developing an Emergency Procedures Plan
International Security Systems Symposium & Exhibition, Crystal City, VA - Oct. 1991
Lecture: Relevancy of a Manged Systems Approach
Canadian Alarm & Security Association, Toronto, Canada - Dec. 1991
Lecture: Databases Stategies for Security Management
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Reston, VA - Dec. 1991
Lectures: History of Law Enforcement & Private Security Business & Economics of
Law Enforcement/Private Security Negative Forces Between Law Enforcement & Private
Security
Citizens Crime Commission, Bucks County, Warrington, PA - January, 1992
Lecture: White Collar Crime - Its Impact on Business
The Towson State University, Campus Violence Prevention Center, Baltimore, MD - Feb. 1992
Lecture: Managing Crime Prevention; Whose Job Is It?
American Society for Industrial Security, Safeguarding Proprietary Information Workshop,
Palm Springs, CA - April, 1992, Program Narrator and Lecturer.
Lecture: The Financial Impact of an Information Loss
Surveillance Expo '92, Tyson's Corner, VA - August 1992
Lecture: A Managed Approach to System Design
ISC-Expo East, International Security Conference, New York City - August 1992
Lecture: How to Marry Culture with Security System Design
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Law Enforcement and Private Security Executive
Training Program, Port Ludlow, WA - September 1992.
Lectures: History of Law Enforcement and Private Security; The Business and Economics
of Law Enforcement and Private Security; Future Trends of Law Enforcement and Private
Security.
American Society for Industrial Security, 38th Annual Seminar & Exhibits, San Antonio, TX
September 16, 1992
Lecture: The Financial Impact of Information Loss
Greater Princeton Security Association, Princeton, NJ, Monthly Meeting, Sept. 1992.
Lecture: Value Added Modeling to Security Departments.
Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland Flase Alarm Summit, Baltimore, MD,
October 1992.
Lecture: Identifying the False Alarm Problem
National Association of College Auxiliary Services, Twenty-Fourth Annual Conference,
Atlanta, GA - November, 1992.
Lecture: Managing Crime Prevention; Whose Job Is It?
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Workplace Crime Workshop, Philadelphia,
PA - November 1992
Lecture: Panel Member, Crime Prevention in the Workplace
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Class of Dr. Marvin A. Wolfgang, Course:
Corporate Crime - February 1993
Lecture: History and Current Status of Security Management
American Society for Industrial Security, Schuylkill Valley Chapter, Reading, PA - March 10,
1993
Lecture: The Future of Security Management
Surveillance Expo, Fifth Annual International Surveillance and Countersurveillance Conference
and Exposition, McLean, VA - August 12, 1993
Lecture: The Financial Impact of an Information Loss
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Class of Dr. Marvin A. Wolfgang, Course:
Corporate Crime - February 2, 1994
Lecture: Security Management, A Business Discipline
WPVI TV, "AM Philadlephia", Wally Kennedy, February 2, 1994"
Topic: Robbery Prevention
Fox Broadcasting, Channel 29 - Philadlephia; 10:00 - 11:00 PM News
Interview: February 22, 1994 Robbery and Shooting at Atlantic City, NJ Casino
American Society for Industrial Security, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Annual Seminar
and Exhibits, Philadlephia, PA - March 2, 1994
Topic: Security System Design
American Society for Industrial Security, Detroit Chapter, Detroit, MI Annual Seminar,
"Update '94" - March 22, 1994
Topic: Who Will The Future Security Manager Be?
Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, Attorneys at Law, Philadelphia, PA.
Special Seminar - Premises Liability - May 19, 1994.
Lecture: Foreseeability and Adequacy of Security
Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals, Deleware Valley Chapter Meeting -
June 29, 1994
Lecture: Competitive Intelligence or Industrial Espionage; Which Have You Been the
Victim Of?
Special Libraries Association, Philadelphia Chapter, Radnor, PA, Chapter Meeting - Oct. 1994
Lecture: Information Security
CIS & Baltic States Security III Conference, New York, NY - March 1, 1995;
Consultancy Session: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business
New Jersey State Safety Council, 11th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Safety & Health Expo,
Atlantic City, NJ - April 27, 1995
Crisis Intervention in the Workplace - Confrontational, Potentially Violent Persons in the
Workplace
Eastern State Survey Network (Association of Port Authorities, Bridge Commissions,
Turnpike Commissions, etc.), Safety Section - May 4, 1995
Lecture: Violence in the Workplace
American Forest & Paper Association, Safety & Health Sub-Committee Annual Meeting,
Montvale, NJ - June 14, 1995
Lecture: Violence in the Workplace - Issues and Answers
International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety, Annual Meeting, Myrtle Beach,
SC - June 26, 1995
Lecture: Unique Approaches to Risk Assessment and System Design
Maryland Association for Bank Security (MABS), Annual Meeting, Hershey, PA,
September 8, 1995
Lecture: The Year 2000 & Beyond - Security Management
American Society for Industrial Security, Annual Seminar and Convention, New Orleans, LA -
September 13, 1995
Moderator: Public Safety (Law Enforcement) and Private Security Liaison
Delaware Valley Financial Security Officers Association; Monthly Meeting, Philadlephia, PA -
January 23, 1996
Lecture: Risk Assessment
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Penn Jersey Chapter, Annual Joint Meeting
with Occupational Resource Management Association and the Human Resource Management
Association, Bordentown, NJ - February 20, 1996
Lecture: Bridge Between Security, Safety, & Human Resource Management
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Class of Dr. Marvin A. Wolfgang, Course:
Ph.D., "Corporate Crime", Sellin Center for Studies in Criminology and Criminal Law,
March 6, 1996
Lecture: Current State and Future of Private Security Industry
WPVI TV, NBC, "AM Philadlephia", Wally Kennedy, March 28, 1996
Topic: Security Incident (Illegal/Improper Search) in REtail Environment
Fifteenth Annual Crime Prevention Symposium; Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Crime
Prevention Officers' Association, Harrisburg, PA - April 3-4 1996
Program Producer and Lecturer.
Programs Produced: Business Investigations & Intelligence; Security Officer Operations
Lectures: Violence in the Workplace & Risk Assessment in the Workplace
International Facitlity Manager's Association; Philadlephia Chapter Meeting - April 16, 1996
Lecture: Critical Decision Factors: Security System Design
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of the Treasury, Executive Training
Program, "Operation Partnership", St. Johns County, FL
Lectures: History of Law Enforcement and Private Security; The Business & Economics of
Private Security; Future Trends of Private Security
Casi-Rusco, 1996 Customer Conference and Workshop, Manalapan, FL, May 6-9, 1996
Lecture: The Art of Risk Assessment
American Society for Industrial Security; 1996 International Seminar and Exhibits, Atlanta, GA
September 11, 1996
Lecture: Risk Assessment's Role in Security Program Design
The Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, 9/18/96, By Joseph N. Boyce
Qutoed: "Landlords Turn to 'Commando' Patrols"
Institute of Management Accountants; October, 1996; North Penn Chapter Meeting; Fort
Washington, PA
Lecture: Assessing and Auditing Security Risks
South Eastern Pennsylvania Claims Association; January 22, 1997; Chapter Meeting,
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Lecture: Risk Assessment in Today's Business Environment
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Class of Dr. Marvin A. Wolfgang, Course:
Ph.D., "Corporate Crime", Sellin Center for Studies in Criminology and Criminal Law,
February 19, 1997.
Lecture: Current State and Future of Private Security Industry
WPVI TV, NBC, "AM Philadlephia", Wally Kennedy, Oct. 8, 1997
Topic: Security Incident (Improper Shoplifting Arrest) at Bloomingdales Department Store,
Short Hills, NJ
The Philadlephia Assocation of Defense Counsel, Philadelphia Monthly Chapter Meeting,
Tuesday, 1/20/98
Lecture: Using a Security Expert in Premises Security Litigation
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Class of Dr. Marvin A. Wolfgang, Course:
Ph.D., "Corporate Crime", Sellin Center for Studies in Criminology and Criminal Law,
February 4, 1998.
Lecture: Risk Assessment in a Business Enterprise
International Association of Healthcare Security & Safety, Regional Workshop; New Orleans,
LA; February 16-17, 1998
Lecture: How to Use a Security Consultant
National Security Institute, Annual Meeting, "Impact ' 98" Reston, VA, April 1998
Lecture: Establishing a Proprietary Information Protection Program and Selling it to Management.
American Society for Industrial Security; 1998 International Seminar and Exhibits, Dallas, TX,
September 16, 1998
Lecture: Curiculum of Security Management for Business Schools
Pennsyvania Trial Lawyers Association, Premises Liability A-Z, Bellevue Hotel, Philadlephia, PA
October 27, 1998
Lecture: Premises Liability
The Lehigh Valley Chapter, American Society for Industrial Security, Monthly Dinner Meeting,
Allentown, PA, October 28, 1998
Lecture: The Art & Science of Risk Assessmant
Organized Anti-Crime Community Network, Preventing Crime in the Black Community,
Franklin Plaza Hotel, November 13, 1998
Lecture: Use of Technology in Community Crime Prevention
Law Enforcement and Private Security Executive Training Program, Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center, Operation Partnership April, 27 1999, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Lectures: History of Law Enforcement and Private Security; Business and Economics of
Security Management; Future Trends in Security Management
International Facility Management Association, Lehigh Valley Chapter, November 10, 1999,
Bethlehem, PA
Lecture: Workplace Violence
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, Safe Schools Conference, Greensburg, PA, Dec. 13, 1999
Lecture: School Safety and Security Technology
National Security Institute, Impact 2000, Conference: 15th Annnual Security Forum, Falls Church, VA, Tuesday, April 4, 2000
Lecture: The Changing Role of the Security Manager- How to Ensure Your Survival
Law Enforcement and Private Security Executive Training Program, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Operation Partnership, May 16, 2000, Reading Police Department, Reading, PA
Lecture: History of Law Enforcement and Private Security Business and Economics of Security Management Future Trends in Security Management
Law Enforcement and Private Security Executive Training Program, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Operation Partnership, July 11, 2000, Bradley County (Cleveland), Tennessee
Lecture: History of Law Enforcement and Private Security Business and Economics of Security Management Future Trends in Security Management
A.S.I.S. - Western New Jersey Chapter, Second Annual Seminar, Whippany, NJ,
October 10, 2000
Lecture: Risk Assessment for Physical Security Needs
The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2000 Premises Liability Seminar
11/16/00 - Tampa, FL; 11/17/00 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Lecture: "A Security Expert's Look at Premises Liability"
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, Monthly Educational Meeting, Malvern, PA
June 12, 2001
Lecture: "Technology Traps: Protect Your Business Information"
The National Crime Victim Bar Association, Comprehensive Representation of Crime Victim Clients, George Mason School of Law, Arlington, VA
October 19-20, 2001
Lecture: "A Security Expert Looks at Where the Defendant Went Wrong"
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: To date, Mr. Somerson has consulted in over 500 security related cases
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Since 1981, Mr. Somerson, has been providing forensic support to the Plaintiff and Defense bars in premise security litigation and other matters affecting the security management and security service industries.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 50
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 50
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 100+
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 1 x/month
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 75+
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 20+
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Over 20
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: When initially assigned a matter Mr. Somerson will extensively outline the issues of the file to provide instruction and insight to counsel for discovery and investigation. His demeanor when testifying provides the required experience and quiet confidence, but more importantly a respect for being prepared! Over his professional career, Mr. Somerson has collected resource materials that now represent one of the largest security management libraries. These resource materials have proven to be invaluable to his clients.
Professional references available upon request. Since 1989 Mr. Somerson has maintained a relational database of all consulting and expert witness assignments. Reports of industries served, types of services rendered, lists of testimony at trial and/or deposition, etc. are easily prepared from these data.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 225.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 225.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 1,725. + expenses(fee)
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 1,725. + expenses (fee)
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: All expenses are at cost and require client approval before being incurred.
