Like other forensic linguists, I apply the principles and methods of linguistics to the language of legal proceedings and documents.

I have a PhD in linguistics and more than 20 years of experience as an expert in forensic linguistics and the systematic analysis of language it requires. My expertise represents a unique combination: a deep theoretical understanding of the workings of language...together with extensive experience in the application of linguistic principles to the analysis of language samples in order to assist attorneys, other legal professionals, law enforcement personnel, and others in understanding the linguistic issues that bear upon particular cases.

I am a highly competent forensic expert witness who produces expert witness reports, depositions, and testimony that conform to the Daubert criteria and are legally and logically rigorous, as well as easily intelligible to both laymen and legal professionals.

LINGUISTIC FORENSICS: AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Contracts, wills, or other binding documents: I analyze specific words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and other units, including the entire document, to offer informed judgments on clarity, comprehensibility, and (un)ambiguity.

Case example: A man suffered damages from defective rental equipment; he did not know that he had released the company from liability by signing a contract that was, in my judgment, too complex to understand.

• Authorship: I conduct analysis of a language sample-the grammar, lexicon, and other features - to offer an informed judgment of texts, in order to offer informed judgment on the authorship of anonymous, forged, or otherwise disputed documents.

Case examples: anonymous letters of complaint to a company’s Board; forged letters (by a single author) in employment dispute.

• Plagiarism: I examine texts to determine the likelihood of plagiarism.

Case example: The creator of an online course found it stolen and being offered by someone else. I helped substantiate his charges.

• Copyright/trademark: I help attorneys define the semantic points at issue, and he offers informed judgment on the genericity, specificity, and/or protectability of contested material. I also assess the similarity of names/marks to offer informed judgments in infringement litigation.

Case example: I demonstrated that another marketer’s brand name was, on several linguistic levels, similar to that of the attorney’s client.

PROFILE An academically-trained linguist with 30 years' experience in the study and analysis of style and meaning. ORIGINAL METHODOLOGY: My original, multi-dimensional approach to stylistic analysis goes beyond language elements and uses a proprietary method to identify a wide range of stylistic similarities and differences. A language expert who has devoted a professional lifetime to the analysis of language and the understanding of language variation and stylistic nuance: Doctoral dissertation (University of Chicago, 1973): an analysis of code-switching (i.e., variation in the speaking style of an individual). Relevant to authorship/plagiarism cases. Undergraduate and graduate studies of English syntax, semantics, and style; in-depth understanding of language structure: (1) identify the vocabulary and grammatical choices that characterize an individual writer’s style. (2) Recognize errors that no native speaker would make and thus determine whether a document has been written by a speaker of a foreign language. Relevant to authorship, plagiarism/copyright, and contract interpretation cases. Twelve years of teaching English linguistics and composition (including graduate seminars in stylistics and in the structure and process of written language): (1) the correlation between a writer’s level of education and his/her deviations from Standard English; (2) the particular locutions favored by individual writers. Relevant to authorship/plagiarism cases. Twenty years as a corporate speechwriter/ghostwriter: deep theoretical and practical understanding of the nature and variation of individual style. Relevant to authorship/plagiarism cases. Examination/analysis of thousands of student papers, corporate publications, and countless other written documents: formulate expert opinion on plagiarism and anonymous or disputed authorship by judging whether particular words, phrases, or other linguistic elements could occur by chance in two separate documents – or whether the documents are the product of the same hand. Also relevant to interpretation of contracts, wills, laws, regulations. Extended practice in transcription (basic linguistics courses, doctoral theses, speechwriting); qualified to evaluate the accuracy of transcriptions (from handwriting to typing and from audio to writing). EDUCATION B.A. (1964), Brown University, Providence RI, 1964; linguistics (summa cum laude, high honors, Phi Beta Kappa). M.A. (1967), PhD (1973), University of Chicago, Chicago IL; linguistics. Research Assistantships (computer applications to language analysis), University of Chicago, summers, 1966-68. Russian language (Harvard University; University of Michigan), summers 1962, 1963. PRSA/NYU seminars: "The Speech as an Effective PR/PA Tool" (1981); "PR/PA Writing Workshop" (1982). MEMBER, International Association of Forensic Linguistics back to the Top EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 1991-2002: Director, Executive Communications (reporting to Sr. VP, Corporate Communications), Kraft Foods, Northfield, IL 60093. 1984-91: Speechwriter, Public Relations Staff, General Motors Corporation, Detroit MI 48202. 1981-83: Manager, Speechwriting, Burroughs Corporation, Detroit MI 48232. 1979-81: Staff Supervisor, Marketing Communications, Michigan Bell, Detroit and Southfield MI. 1968-79: Assistant Professor of English (most recent position: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 1974-79); taught English linguistics and composition at the college/university level; published scholarly articles; organized a composition program and helped establish a graduate program in the theory and structure of writing. back to the Top ACADEMIC COURSES TAUGHT: (partial list) History of the English Language; Language and Dialect; Introduction to English Dialects; the Structure of Modern English; English Stylistics; Structure and Process of Written Language; English Composition; Introduction to Linguistics; Phonetics and Phonology... PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PhD, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, 1973; linguistics. M.A., University of Chicago, 1967; linguistics. BA, Brown University, Providence RI., 1964; linguistics (summa cum laude, high honors, Phi Beta Kappa). Research Assistantships (computer applications to language analysis), University of Chicago, summers, 1966-68. Russian language (Harvard University; University of Michigan), summers 1962, 1963. PRSA/NYU seminars: "The Speech as an Effective PR/PA Tool" (1981); "PR/PA Writing Workshop" (1982). PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE as Language Expert, 1979-present (examples [not including current cases]; full list available on request): Expert opinion on status of compound words (trademark infringement litigation). Expert opinion on plagiarism of song lyrics (copyright litigation involving musical group The Who). Authorship analysis of e-mails in Florida internal union dispute. Expert opinion on plagiarism of online home-study course. Preliminary analysis of authorship issues in malpractice litigation. Expert opinion on authorship issues in business partnership dispute involving anonymous writings. Authorship analysis of anonymous letters of complaint to a corporation’s Board of Directors. Expert opinion on the semantics of trademark infringement in litigation by an apparel firm. Authorship analysis of anonymous letters (possibly written by disgruntled employees) for major Midwestern corporation. Authorship analysis of emails to website of a “cult deprogrammer.” Expert opinion on linguistic similarities between plaintiff’s and defendant’s trademarks. Authorship analysis of defamatory emails written to an individual in a corporation. Authorship advice on a possibly forged stock transfer document. Authorship analysis of letters involved in the Son of Sam case. Analysis to support allegations of plagiarism of online course material. Interpretation of contract language regarding the disposition of acquired corporate entities. Interpretation of equipment rental contract language.