We now hear from David Crowe, who touches on his work as an expert witness; he reveals his unique attributes and why he finds the legal industry intriguing.
Why did you start to serve as an expert witness?
I was asked, by a defence lawyer, in the first case! I’d never really thought about it, but it was an opportunity to learn more about the legal system. And I felt good that I was providing expertise to assist the defence. Even the guilty deserve a good defence, or perhaps a good offense.
Do you specialise in a particular type of case?
No. If the case is interesting, and my expertise matches, I’m in. Apart from criminal cases, I’ve been involved with patents, business disputes and intellectual property. Technical areas include base stations, core networks, phones and location services.
Is this your major business now?
No, I still mostly consult in the wireless industry. I chair two industry committees, edit a major emergency services standard, and provide technical assistance to clients.
How would you describe your expertise?
I have a broad understanding of wireless, having worked on core network protocols, smart cards, radio interfaces, identifier issues, security, emergency calling, and lawful intercept (‘wiretaps’). I have deep technical understanding, although I’m not an expert in the details of, for example, digitally coding voice, or radio modulation schemes. That’s a good thing, because those experts generally don’t have the breadth of knowledge that I’ve gained.
What unique attributes do you provide?
I’m independent both in my work situation and in my thought process. As a consultant I’m free of the constraints that employees have. They need to get permission from their company, and each of their company’s vendors or customers becomes a conflict. I also have a reputation as a free thinker. Not too many people have published articles critiquing VoLTE (cellular VoIP) or IPv6, for example. I have no trouble considering that the dominant view might be wrong. In legal cases what initially appears to be the right answer often ends up proven wrong.
Why do you like legal work?
It’s a challenge. It pushes me to solidify my technical understanding when I have to consider technology from a legal perspective, or observe lawyers doing this. They often ask penetrating questions that I may never have considered before. At first I might think, “How on earth am I going to answer that?”, but then I pause to think, do some research, and surprise myself with what I’m able to find.
Do you like having your opinion accepted as evidence?
Not at all. It is an abdication of responsibility for an expert to take advantage of this. For every claim that I make, I want to have documents to back it up. When asked about something I may respond with an assertion, but I immediately think about how I would prove it. I’d like to feel that after I’ve documented my research, that the lawyers and client wouldn’t need me any more, I would have explained and documented everything so that any testimony I give in court is almost superfluous.
You have testified in court. Were you nervous?
Not nervous, but definitely on edge, which I think sharpens my thought processes at this critical time. It’s a frustrating experience because you wait forever before you are questioned for a few minutes, and then it’s over. I haven’t yet had a question that came from nowhere and threw me completely off balance. I’ve learned to listen carefully, consider the question in my mind, and only answer when I’m fully prepared.
David Crowe
Email: David.Crowe@cnp-wireless.com
Phone: +1-403-289-6609
Web: http://cnp-wireless.com/Resumes/DCroweResume.php
David Crowe has been involved with cellular technology since almost the beginning of time. Which, in the case of commercial cellular, was 1983. David started designing software for a cellular telephone switch in early 1984, for the pioneering company NovAtel, in Calgary, the Canadian city where he is still based. Since the late ‘80s he has been a leader, editor and creator of wireless standards. Also a communicator, he has written articles on technical subjects for industry audiences for many trade journals, and for consulting clients. Since 2003 he has been called on several times as an expert witness.
Cellular Networking Perspectives Ltd. is a consulting company led by David Crowe with over 20 years of experience in the wireless industry, particularly in the area of cellular network standards and high level system design. He has consulted for AT&T Wireless, Alcatel, Agilent, ATIS, CDG, CTIA, Fair Isaac, Qualcomm, Neustar, Syniverse, Telcordia, TIA and Verisign, among others.
