EXPERT WITNESSES
Lubna K. Jahangiri, Esq. and Bernard Nellari, Legal Intern Co-Authors
January 16, 2023

An expert witness is a witness permitted to testify during a trial because of their proficiency or special knowledge in a field relevant to the case. According to California Evidence Code §720, a person is qualified to testify as an expert if he has special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education sufficient to qualify him as an expert on the subject of his testimony. Expert witnesses are used to simplify complex topics that are relevant to a case. In practice, categories of expert witnesses have included medical experts, forensic experts, financial experts, mental health experts, securities experts, and many more.

 

Expert witnesses must provide independent, impartial, and unbiased evidence to the court using their expertise. During a trial, experts may be called to testify whether the evidence supports testimony from other witnesses. Experts can also opine on the accuracy of certain statements made during the trial.

 

However, expert testimony can be excluded in certain situations. Expert testimony will be excluded when the subject of inquiry is one of such common knowledge that individuals of ordinary education could reach a conclusion as intelligently as the expert witness. Furthermore, the trial court may exclude expert opinion testimony that is (1) based on matter of a type on which an expert may not reasonably rely, (2) based on reasons unsupported by the material on which the expert relies, or (3) speculative.

 

JAHANGIRI LAW GROUP specializes in business, corporate, commercial, and real estate litigation, and transactional law. We offer services in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Spanish. We are located in San Ramon. We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. To make an appointment please call 925-574-0100.


References:

 

-      Thus, expert testimony will be excluded when the subject of inquiry is one of such common knowledge that men of ordinary education could reach a conclusion as intelligently as the expert witness, as held in Burton v. Sanner (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 12, 19.

-      Evidence Code §801(b) and §802

-      Evidence Code §801(a) holds that expert witness testimony must relate to a subject that is sufficiently beyond common experience that the opinion of an expert would assist the trier of fact.

California Evidence Code §720

JLG at the Bar Benefit Impact Awards

October 6, 2026
JLG had a funtabulous time at the Bar Benefit Impact Awards! It was a wonderful evening supporting an important cause, with funds raised helping provide pro bono legal assistance to seniors in our community.  We were honored to celebrate, connect, and support an organization making a meaningful impact for those who need it most.

Last Day Of Our Intern, Amelie Zuberi

August 28, 2026
Today is the last day of our summer intern, Amelie Zuberi, a student at the University of Edinburgh, and we want to recognize her outstanding contributions to our office this summer. Amelie approached every assignment with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a willingness to learn. Her work spanned a remarkable range of responsibilities, from shredding files and organizing our printer room to reviewing a commercial lease, conducting legal research, drafting a demand letter, and preparing blog content. No task was beneath her, and every task received the same level of care and attention. What impressed us most was that Amelie consistently performed well beyond what is typically expected of a summer intern. She is sharp, efficient, highly motivated, reliable, and eager to take on new challenges. Her strong work ethic and positive attitude made her a valuable member of our team. We are grateful for all of her hard work and will greatly miss having her in the office. We wish Amelie continued success in her studies and future career, and we hope this internship provided a meaningful and rewarding learning experience. Best of luck, Amelie. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the years ahead.

Lubna Jahangiri Selected to Super Lawyers 2026

By Lubna Jahangiri • June 30, 2026
I’m excited to share that I’ve been named to Super Lawyers 2026. This honor means a lot to me, and thank you to my clients, colleagues, and community for your continued support. I’m grateful and humbled.

Jahangiri Law Group Recognized with 2025 CCBA Silver Medal for Diversity

By Lubna Jahangiri • January 30, 2026
Jahangiri Law Group is honored to announce that we have been awarded the Silver Medal in the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s 2025 Diversity Awards. This distinction recognizes law firms that demonstrate meaningful commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession and the broader community. Our advancement from last year’s Bronze Medal to this year’s Silver Medal reflects the continued growth of our initiatives and the dedication of our team to fostering an inclusive and representative workplace.  We extend our sincere appreciation to the Contra Costa County Bar Association for this recognition. Jahangiri Law Group remains committed to advancing diversity within our firm, our profession, and the communities we proudly serve.

Riya Datla

By Lubna Jahangiri • September 24, 2025
We were fortunate to have Riya Datla join us as a summer legal intern, and she made a lasting impression from day one. Riya brought an exceptional level of focus, dedication, and professionalism to every task she tackled. Her work ethic was truly remarkable—she consistently worked with minimal guidance, showing initiative and independence. Riya approached each assignment with seriousness and care, demonstrating a deep commitment to learning and contributing meaningfully to our team. Her ability to work autonomously while still being a thoughtful collaborator made her an invaluable part of our summer cohort. We hope this internship was as rewarding for Riya as it was for us. She has a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see where her legal journey takes her next!

Lease Dispute Successfully Resolved

By Lubna Jahangiri • September 22, 2025
Our firm recently represented a commercial tenant in a dispute involving a long-term lease agreement. The landlord had initiated tenant improvements and asserted that our client was bound to continue under the lease terms. Upon careful review of the lease, we identified critical deficiencies that rendered the lease unenforceable. We promptly communicated our findings to the landlord, and following our intervention, the landlord agreed to release our client from all contractual claims—without litigation. This outcome reflects our commitment to thorough legal analysis and strategic advocacy in complex real estate matters. Note : Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Details have been omitted to protect client confidentiality.

MRP Speaker Series, The Fine Print

By Lubna Jahangiri • September 22, 2025

Settlement Victory: Zealous Advocacy Delivers Powerful Result

By Lubna Jahangiri • September 18, 2025
We’re proud to share a recent litigation outcome that showcases our aggressive strategy and unwavering commitment to our client’s defense. In a case involving substantial claims against our client, we mounted a vigorous defense and negotiated a settlement for a fraction of the amount originally demanded. The final resolution was comparable to what our client would have spent solely on expert witnesses—eliminating the need for trial and securing a result that aligned with their goals. Beyond the favorable settlement amount, our approach saved our client hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation costs, including discovery, expert preparation, and trial expenses. This outcome reflects the power of strategic advocacy and our dedication to protecting our clients’ interests at every stage. Note : Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Details have been omitted to protect client confidentiality.

Jahangiri Law Group Sponsors Jurist of the Year Award Reception

By Lubna Jahangiri • August 26, 2025

Selected for 2025 Super Lawyers

By Lubna Jahangiri • July 14, 2025
I’m honored to be recognized in this year’s Super Lawyers list. This acknowledgment reflects the continued trust of my clients and colleagues, and I’m sincerely grateful for their support.  I remain committed to delivering thoughtful, effective counsel and advocating with integrity. It’s a privilege to do meaningful work alongside such dedicated professionals.