Marcelo Hirschler offers expertise on fire and flammability of materials and products and on codes and standards. The materials he specializes in are: cars (and other vehicles), upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing and electric cables. He is an expert in codes and standards (building codes, fire codes, National Electrical Code, Life Safety Code, ASTM and NFPA documents). The fire properties he specializes in are standard fire tests, heat release, ignitability, flame spread, smoke release and toxicity. He has worked in academia and in industry, has published extensively and has worked as a technical expert in product liability cases for over 20 years.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Licenciate in Chemistry (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), 1965
Doctorate in Chemistry (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), 1970
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): Subcommittees: E-5 (Fire Standards), C-16 (Thermal Insulation), D-9 (Electrical Materials), D-11 (Rubber), D-13 (Textiles), D-20 (Plastics), E-34 (Occupational Health & Safety), F-7 (Aerospace), F-8 (Sports equipment) ( F-15 (Consumer Products), F-23 (Protective Clothing), F-25 (Shipbuilding) and F-33 (Correctional Facilities)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (Chairman of two technical committees and member of 4 other technical committees)
Canadian Standards Association
Combustion Institute (Western States Section)
International Association for Fire Safety Science
International Code Council (ICC)
International Assoc. Of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
International Heat Release Association
Society of Fire Protection Engineering (SFPE)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: * Chairman of various codes and standards technical committees (ASTM, NFPA) and member of many others
* Speaker with over 100 presentations (and over 400 written publications) on fire issues at technical conferences, in USA, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, etc.
* Session chairman at multiple fire conferences.
* Teaching experience:
5 years as teaching assistant physical chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina,
7 years as temporary lecturer physical chemistry, City University, London, UK
* Lecturer at several courses on fire and fire testing
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: over 100
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: fire issues: upholstered furniture, mattresses, cars, siding, fabrics, protective clothing, toxicity, heat release, spontaneous combustion, etc
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: roughly 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: roughly 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: about 20 times
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: May 30, 2008
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: I have never been disqualified. Offered several times by attorneys.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Three times
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 20 years or so
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting testing reports
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $200 (and $250 for deposition and testimony)
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $200
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $250
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $250
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: travel expenses and all other out of pocket expenses needed
References
Robert P. FosterFoster Law Firm LLP
601 East McBee Avenue, Ste 104
Greenville, SC, 29601
Tel: (864) 242 6200
rfoster@fosterfoster.com
Robert A. Davee
Mills, Shirley LLP
400 Washington Building, 2228 Mechanic
Galveston, TX, 77550
Tel: (281) 488 8716
e-mail: bdavee@millsshirley.com
