Timothy D. Bechtel, Ph.D., P.G. has worked in the geosciences for over twenty years, and has taught geosciences at the University of Pennsylvania for eight years. His expertise covers all things related to the physics of Earth processes, particularly subsurface imaging, earthquakes, sinkholes, subsidence, vibration, rock slides, and all geo-hazards. As a university professor, and frequently-invited lecturer, Dr. Bechtel has considerable public speaking experience. Student evaluations of his courses are consistently superior, and feed-back on his public lectures is uniformly positive (leading to many repeat invitations). Dr. Bechtel is not a "professional witness" - relying on court-related work for less than 10 percent of his income. The remainder comes from contract geological and geophysical studies and academic work (teaching and research).
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Ph.D. Geophysics, Brown University
M.Sc. Engineering Geology, Brown University
B.Sc. Geology, Haverford College
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: SEG, EEGS, AGI, GSA, AGU
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Adjunct Graduate Professor of Geophysics, University of Pennsylvania with consistently superior student evaluations.
Frequent invited lecturer - addressing person from expert professionals down to school children.
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: Approximately 50.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Various topics related to geology and geophysics.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 60 percent.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 40 percent.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 15.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2005
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Approximately 10.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Approximately 10.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Approximately 20.
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Any and all that might be necessary within my field of expertise.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $125/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $125/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $155/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $155/hour
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Direct expenses for travel, lodging, copying, etc. are billed at cost plus 10%.
References
Mark LovettHartman Underhill & Brubaker
Lancaster, PA
717-299-7254
C. Scott Rybny
Nelson, Levine, de Luca & Horst
Blue Bell, PA
610-862-6500
Whitney Cunningham
AWD
Flagstaff, AZ
520-556-3255
Owen Gallagher
Gallagher & Associates, P.C.
Boston, MA
617-598-3801
William Thompson
Salzman & DePaulis, P.C.
Harrisburg, PA
717-232-9420
