Case Consultation for Attorneys

Dr. Scott C. Rosiere offers forensic psychology case consultation services to family law and dependency attorneys throughout Florida. Whether you are developing case strategy, preparing for a deposition, reviewing a psychological evaluation conducted by another professional, or seeking guidance on psychological issues in your case, Dr. Rosiere's consultative services provide the clinical expertise attorneys need to effectively advocate for their clients.

Effective litigation in family law and dependency cases increasingly requires attorneys to think like forensic psychologists—understanding which psychological questions are relevant, what types of evaluations will yield the most useful evidence, and how to anticipate and counter the opposing side's expert testimony. Dr. Rosiere bridges this gap by providing attorneys with the clinical insight needed to develop case strategy, identify the strongest evidentiary arguments, and prepare for the psychological dimensions of trial. This behind-the-scenes consultation work is often the foundation upon which successful case outcomes are built.

Attorneys who invest in early forensic consultation gain several strategic advantages: they can frame referral questions that will generate the most legally relevant findings, identify potential weaknesses in the opposing party's psychological evidence before trial, and develop cross-examination strategies informed by a deep understanding of forensic methodology and common methodological errors. Dr. Rosiere's consultation services transform the way attorneys approach cases involving psychological testimony, providing the specialized knowledge that makes the difference between reactive litigation and proactive, forensically informed advocacy.

Consultation Services Include

  • Pre-evaluation case consultation: Helping attorneys identify the psychological questions most relevant to their case, determine what type of evaluation may be most useful, and understand what to expect from the evaluation process.

  • Evaluation review and critique: Reviewing psychological evaluations and reports prepared by other mental health professionals, assessing their methodological soundness, and identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for cross-examination.

  • Deposition and trial preparation: Assisting attorneys in formulating effective questions for deposing or cross-examining expert witnesses, and helping attorneys understand the clinical concepts and testing data likely to arise during testimony.

  • Psychological issue education: Providing attorneys with background education on relevant psychological topics such as attachment theory, trauma effects on children, domestic violence dynamics, substance abuse, personality disorders, and their implications for custody and dependency cases.

  • Case strategy guidance: Offering psychological perspective on case facts to help attorneys develop effective legal strategies that incorporate the psychological dimensions of their cases.

Confidential & Work-Product Protected

Consultation services are provided under attorney-client privilege and work product protection. Dr. Rosiere's consultative opinions are provided to the retaining attorney and are not discoverable unless the attorney chooses to designate Dr. Rosiere as a testifying expert. This allows attorneys to obtain candid clinical input without the risk of adverse opinions entering the record.

When to Seek Consultation

Attorneys find consultation most valuable early in a case, when strategic decisions about expert involvement and evaluation requests can shape the trajectory of the litigation. However, consultation is available at any stage, including during active trial preparation. Dr. Rosiere's familiarity with the practices, procedures, and expectations of Florida's family and dependency courts allows him to provide practical, case-relevant guidance.

Dr. Rosiere also provides critical assistance in evaluating the quality and methodology of opposing experts' reports. Forensic reports frequently contain common errors—inadequate data gathering, overreliance on a single test instrument, failure to consider alternative hypotheses, or conclusions that exceed the data. Dr. Rosiere can identify these methodological shortcomings and help attorneys develop targeted cross-examination questions that expose weaknesses in opposing testimony. This consultation role draws on his extensive knowledge of forensic assessment standards, the Daubert admissibility framework, and the most frequent pitfalls in forensic psychological practice.

Work With Us

What to Expect

Step 1: Initial Case Discussion

The consultation begins when an attorney contacts Dr. Rosiere to discuss the psychological dimensions of their case. During this initial conversation, Dr. Rosiere learns about the case facts, legal issues, and the specific questions where forensic psychological expertise would be most valuable.

Step 2: Record Review & Case Analysis

Dr. Rosiere reviews relevant case documents, including existing psychological evaluations, court filings, depositions, DCF records, and other discovery materials. He analyzes these records from a forensic psychological perspective to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring further investigation.

Step 3: Evaluation Review & Critique

When an opposing expert has conducted a psychological evaluation, Dr. Rosiere critically reviews the report for methodological soundness, appropriate test selection, accuracy of interpretation, and whether the conclusions are supported by the data. He identifies areas vulnerable to challenge and potential deviations from forensic practice standards.

Step 4: Strategic Guidance & Recommendations

Dr. Rosiere provides the attorney with candid, evidence-based guidance on the psychological aspects of the case. This may include advising on whether to request an independent evaluation, identifying which psychological issues are most relevant to the legal questions, and helping the attorney understand how psychological findings may impact case outcomes.

Step 5: Deposition & Cross-Examination Preparation

Dr. Rosiere assists attorneys in preparing effective questions for deposing or cross-examining opposing psychological experts. He helps identify areas where the opposing expert’s methodology, conclusions, or testimony may be vulnerable to challenge, and provides the psychological knowledge needed to conduct informed questioning.

Step 6: Ongoing Case Support

All consultation services are provided under attorney-client privilege and work product protection, ensuring candid clinical input remains confidential. Dr. Rosiere remains available throughout the litigation for follow-up questions, review of new materials, and additional strategic guidance as the case develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Attorney case consultation is a collaborative service where Dr. Rosiere provides forensic psychology expertise to help attorneys navigate the psychological dimensions of their cases. This includes case strategy guidance, evaluation review, deposition preparation, psychological issue education, and expert referral coordination. Consultation is available at any stage of litigation, from initial case assessment through trial preparation.

  • Dr. Rosiere consults on a wide range of family law and dependency cases, including custody and timesharing disputes, relocation cases, dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings, and cases involving allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental health concerns. Consultation is particularly valuable when psychological factors are central to the legal issues and attorneys need expert guidance to effectively represent their clients.

  • When an opposing expert has conducted a psychological evaluation, Dr. Rosiere can review the report to assess whether it meets accepted forensic standards. This includes evaluating methodology, test selection, data interpretation, and whether conclusions are adequately supported by the evidence. Dr. Rosiere can then help attorneys develop effective cross-examination questions targeting any identified weaknesses.

  • When Dr. Rosiere is retained as a consulting expert rather than a testifying expert, communications between the attorney and Dr. Rosiere are generally protected under work product doctrine. This allows attorneys to seek candid psychological input on case strategy without concern about disclosure. Dr. Rosiere can discuss the specific protections applicable to your case during the initial consultation.

  • The best time to seek forensic psychology consultation is early in the case, ideally before decisions about expert involvement and evaluation requests are made, as these early decisions can significantly shape the trajectory of litigation. However, consultation is valuable at any stage, including during active trial preparation, deposition planning, or when reviewing an opposing expert’s report.

  • Dr. Rosiere provides case consultation services to attorneys throughout Florida, including Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Sarasota. Consultation can be conducted in person, by phone, or via videoconference, making it easy to collaborate regardless of location. Dr. Rosiere is familiar with the practices and procedures of courts across the state.