Engaging with Risk Management Expert, Mike Evans

What happens when decades of Wall Street experience meets the witness stand? Mike Evans takes us behind the scenes of financial expert witnessing in this revealing conversation about bridging the gap between complex regulatory requirements and practical implementation.

Drawing from his extensive career at Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, and BNP Paribas, Evans explains how he transitioned from compliance officer to expert witness. His journey offers insight navigating the delicate balance between technical expertise and effective communication. "The compliance angle is how these things get implemented," Evans explains, highlighting the unique value he brings to legal proceedings where understanding the gap between written policies and actual practice often determines case outcomes.

The conversation delves into practical aspects of expert witnessing that professionals rarely discuss openly. From managing relationships with attorneys and negotiating clear engagement terms to preparing for testimony and maintaining composure under pressure, Evans shares candid insights gained through real-world experience. His approach to testimony—making eye contact with finders of fact, speaking clearly, and maintaining unwavering integrity—provides a roadmap for aspiring expert witnesses.

Perhaps most valuable is Evans' philosophy toward expert work, encapsulated in his father's advice: "Say what you mean and mean what you say." This commitment to consistency and truthfulness allows him to navigate complex cases with multiple attorneys while maintaining credibility. For attorneys working with financial experts and for professionals considering expert witnessing, this episode offers rare insights into effective collaboration at the intersection of finance and law. 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Mike Evans
• 4:33 Beginning an Expert Witness Career
• 9:42 Managing Multiple Professional Roles
• 14:28 The Compliance Expert Perspective
• 18:20 First Arbitration Experience
• 22:39 Preparation and Professionalism
• 26:14 Staying Current in Financial Services