About Us
Bench & Bar Experts is a full-service firm providing a comprehensive approach to the search, vetting, engagement, management and education of expert witnesses in the legal system. We offer a variety of methods for access to the best qualified experts, as well as a variety of pricing options to allow all segments of the bar to easily access qualified experts for their clients. From a small transaction charge to search our proprietary database, to an annual subscription fee to access all of our services, to custom searches for those hard-to-find experts, our mission is to make sure you find the winning expert for your case. In addition, we provide CLE programs to help attorneys get the highest and best use of their experts, as well as training for experts and professionals who are interested in learning more about serving as expert witnesses. We also provide litigation support services such as legal research services, consulting on electronic evidence issues, and translation services.
Management
Bench & Bar Experts was formed by legal professionals with over 25 years of experience in issues critical to litigation training and management. Our principals have worked in a variety of litigation settings, including major class actions with 706 hearings. In addition, we have worked as professional consultants and trainers for major legal research providers such as Westlaw, Lexis and BNA; as consultants in the management of electronic evidence; as executive recruiters in the legal placement industry; and as consultants in various aspects of the use of expert witnesses.
LAURIE GALLAGHER, J.D. - PRESIDENT
Laurie Gallagher began her career in the legal profession while still in undergraduate school at the University of Alabama in the early 1980’s as an intern for an attorney representing plaintiffs in the Agent Orange class action. In 1986, Laurie graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and became a member of the Alabama Bar. After law school, she practiced law in a civil litigation firm handling a variety of matters including personal injury, employment discrimination and intellectual property. Beginning in 1989, Laurie worked for West Publishing Company for several years as a Westlaw Account Executive, training attorneys and law librarians on electronic legal research techniques in some of the nation’s leading law firms and working with state and federal judges and law clerks. She was then the Director of Client Development for a major law firm for several years before returning to practice as a research attorney for the Silicone Breast Implant litigation in 1999 where she was responsible for maintaining the national expert witness database for the litigation. Laurie has also worked with a national electronic discovery firm, the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), and most recently with a national expert witness search firm recruiting experts throughout the world for major law firms. She has also been a legal consultant for a number of media outlets.
Laurie’s diverse experience as a practicing attorney and in a variety of roles supporting the legal community has provided her with a unique background to assist other legal professionals in finding and vetting highly qualified experts for their cases. Contact Laurie directly to discuss your expert witness needs.
JEFF FAIRCHILD, MBA - DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
Jeff Fairchild is Director of Client Services for Bench and Bar Experts. He brings vast experience and a diverse professional background of providing and maintaining excellent client relationships in various industries, including health care and public utilities. Jeff graduated from the University of Alabama in 1993 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Management. While attending graduate School at Mercer University in Atlanta, he worked for Georgia Power Company providing customer support within the sales department. Following graduation from Mercer with an MBA in Marketing, he worked with a national medical services company first as an Account Representative, then as the Operations Manager for the Atlanta office. He then worked with Pharmacia Corporation, building the company’s internal sales department. Most recently, Jeff worked with a national expert witness search firm consulting with attorneys at major law firms. Contact Jeff for assistance with your expert witness searches.
WENDI B. FAIRCHILD - DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING
Wendi B. Fairchild is the Director of Recruiting for Bench & Bar Experts. She is responsible for the recruiting of experts as well as attorneys who are seeking employment. Wendi received her bachelor degree from Tennessee Technological University and has worked in the legal field since 1991. She was most recently Vice President of Client Services at Morningstar Sourcing, LLC, a company which provided recruiting services to law firms and corporations throughout the country. Previously, she was the Director of Attorney Recruitment for a national law firm and was responsible for the hiring and professional development of attorneys. Contact Wendi to discuss your specific recruiting needs. Contact Wendi for assistance with your expert witness searches.