A Guide to Expert Opinions with a Free Toolkit & Templates

Note: Want to skip the guide and go straight to the free templates? No problem - scroll to the bottom.
Also note: This is not legal advice.

Introduction

At Genie AI, we understand the importance of utilising expert opinion when making important decisions. Whether you are a business owner, consumer or just need support navigating complex legal matters, our large open source legal template library offers an invaluable resource for understanding and addressing any issues which may arise.

Our dataset and community template library provide access to high quality legal documents without the need for costly lawyers - offering guidance on contract law, employment law, intellectual property law and many other topics. Furthermore, our experts can provide valuable insight into potential problems to minimise your legal risks and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

When it comes to litigation, the opinions of experts are key in helping to determine the outcome of a case. Expert witness testimony can be especially useful in offering a clearer understanding of complex matters or outlining any weaknesses in an argument. If a third-party is involved however, expert opinion can also be used as an alternative to litigation; allowing parties to come to an agreement without incurring additional expenses or delays.

At Genie AI we strive to provide all users with tailored advice from market-standard experts so that you can make informed decisions when it comes to protecting your interests - providing step-by-step guidance for free via our template library today!

Definitions (feel free to skip)

Stakeholders: Individuals or groups who have an interest in the outcome of a situation or process.
Vetting: Examining or investigating someone or something in order to assess their suitability or reliability.
Criteria: A set of standards or conditions that must be met to achieve a desired result.
Deliverables: The product or service that is expected to be produced or provided.
Efficacy: The ability to produce a desired or intended result.

Contents

• Defining the need for an expert opinion
• Establishing the goal of the expert opinion
• Identifying the stakeholders who need to be involved
• Identifying and vetting potential experts
• Developing criteria for selecting the best expert
• Researching and evaluating potential experts
• Contacting and vetting potential experts
• Developing a strategy for obtaining and using expert opinions
• Deciding how to structure the expert opinion
• Setting expectations for how the opinion will be used
• Preparing questions for the expert
• Identifying the questions that need to be asked
• Drafting questions in a way that is clear and concise
• Confirming that the questions cover all necessary topics
• Structuring the conversation with the expert
• Establishing a timeline for the conversation
• Determining the format for the conversation
• Agreeing on the deliverables for the conversation
• Evaluating the expert’s opinion
• Analyzing the opinion for accuracy
• Considering the opinion in the context of the goal
• Verifying the opinion with other sources
• Communicating the expert’s opinion
• Preparing a summary of the opinion
• Delivering the opinion to the stakeholders
• Explaining the opinion in detail
• Documenting the process and the expert’s opinion
• Recording the conversation with the expert
• Capturing all relevant notes and resources
• Archiving the documents in a secure location
• Utilizing the expert opinion to inform decisions
• Establishing criteria for making decisions
• Considering the expert opinion in the context of the criteria
• Making decisions based on the expert opinion
• Reviewing the process and results
• Evaluating the efficacy of the process
• Gathering feedback from stakeholders
• Documenting lessons learned for future use

Get started

Defining the need for an expert opinion

• Clarify what type of expert opinion is needed
• Identify the purpose and value of the expert opinion
• Ask yourself what the expert opinion is needed for
• Determine the type of expert opinion needed, such as a medical opinion, legal opinion, etc.
• Identify the scope of the expert opinion
• Develop a strategy for the expert opinion
• Create a timeline for completion of the expert opinion
• You will know you have completed this step when you have clarified the purpose and scope of the expert opinion and developed a strategy for completion.

Establishing the goal of the expert opinion

• Determine the ultimate goal and purpose of the expert opinion
• Consider what the results of the opinion will be used for: to inform decisions or help solve a problem?
• Clarify the need for the expert opinion, and the desired outcome
• Explore what resources and information are needed to provide the opinion
• Establish the timeline and deadlines for the opinion
• Confirm the budget and other resources available to get the opinion
• When you have a clear idea of the goal, purpose, timeline, and resources needed for the expert opinion, move on to the next step.

Identifying the stakeholders who need to be involved

• List out all the relevant stakeholders who should be involved in the expert opinion process
• Take the time to reach out to each of these stakeholders and confirm their involvement
• Ask each of the stakeholders to provide their input and feedback on the process
• Once you have heard back from all the stakeholders and received their approval to proceed with the expert opinion, you can move on to the next step.

Identifying and vetting potential experts

• Create a list of potential experts based on research, referrals, and/or other sources
• Reach out to each potential expert to explain the project and ask if they are interested in participating
• Ask for a copy of their CV and any other relevant information
• Review their CV, publications, and other information to understand their qualifications
• Use the criteria you’ve identified in the previous step to evaluate their suitability for the project
• Conduct a short phone call or video conference to assess their communication skills and ask additional questions
• Make a final decision on which expert(s) to include in the project
• Once you’ve identified and vetted a suitable expert, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step.

Developing criteria for selecting the best expert

• Identify the skills, experience, and knowledge that you need to make sure the expert is qualified to provide the opinion you’re looking for
• Make a list of the criteria that you need to evaluate the experts you’re considering
• Set minimum requirements for each criteria that must be met for a potential expert to be considered
• Consider any additional criteria that may be appropriate to help you select the best expert for the job
• Once you’ve established the criteria and minimum requirements for the expert, you can move on to researching and evaluating potential experts.

Researching and evaluating potential experts

• Identify potential experts and their credentials
• Check the experience and expertise of each potential expert
• Evaluate the potential expert’s track record and performance
• Assess the potential expert’s availability for the project
• Review the potential expert’s fees and payment terms
• Compare the potential expert’s credentials and track record to others

You can check off this step once you have identified and evaluated every potential expert and chosen the best one for the project.

Contacting and vetting potential experts

• Reach out to potential experts with an email or phone call, introducing yourself and the project
• Ask for their availability and expertise relative to the project
• Ask for a CV and/or other information on past projects/experiences
• Look for any relevant publications or other credentials
• Check for any potential conflicts of interest
• Ask for references, and then follow up with them
• Once you have the necessary information, make a decision about who to work with

You’ll know you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when you have completed the process of contacting and vetting potential experts and have chosen the best fit for your project.

Developing a strategy for obtaining and using expert opinions

• Identify the purpose and goals of the expert opinion
• Decide the type of expert opinion you need (e.g. a professional opinion, a legal opinion, etc.)
• Research potential experts who have the right qualifications and experience
• Outline the scope of the expert opinion you need
• Determine how you will use the expert opinion (i.e. internally, externally, etc.)
• Establish the timeline and budget for obtaining and using the expert opinion
• Draft a request for proposal to send to potential experts
• When you have a clear strategy for obtaining and using the expert opinion, you can move on to the next step.

Deciding how to structure the expert opinion

• Consider the purpose and scope of the expert opinion being requested
• Identify the type of expert opinion needed: objective or subjective
• Select a format for the expert opinion: written, verbal, or both
• Develop a timeline for when the expert opinion is expected
• Determine the information needed to support the expert opinion
• Decide whether the expert opinion should be delivered in one document or multiple documents
• When you have completed the steps above and have a plan for how the expert opinion should be structured, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Setting expectations for how the opinion will be used

• Set out clear expectations with the expert on how their opinion is to be used.
• This may include how their opinion will be shared, who will have access to it, and how their opinion should be used.
• Consider having the expert sign a confidentiality agreement if needed.
• Check that the expert is comfortable with the expectations you’ve set before proceeding.
• When you’ve established expectations with the expert, you can move on to the next step.

Preparing questions for the expert

• Brainstorm and list out all the questions you would like to ask the expert
• Prioritize the questions you would like to ask the expert
• Think about the type of answers you would like to receive
• Make sure the questions are concise and easy to understand
• Make sure the questions are relevant to the topic/discussion
• Refer to any research or materials that you think would be helpful in formulating the questions
• When you have formulated the questions, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Identifying the questions that need to be asked

• Make a list of the questions that need to be asked of the expert
• Research the subject matter and identify any key points that need to be asked
• Identify any specific questions that need to be asked based on the research
• Make sure the questions are relevant to the topic and that you have enough questions to cover the entire scope of the expert opinion
• Once the questions have been identified, you can move on to the next step of drafting the questions in a clear and concise manner.

Drafting questions in a way that is clear and concise

• Write down the questions that you have identified in the previous step in a way that is clear and concise.
• Make sure that the questions are worded in a way that is easy to understand and answer.
• Avoid using technical terms or jargon that the expert may not be familiar with.
• Make sure that the questions are specific and relevant to the topic being discussed.
• Check that the questions cover all necessary topics and do not leave out any important information.
• You will know that you are done with this step when you are satisfied that the questions are clear and concise and cover all necessary topics.

Confirming that the questions cover all necessary topics

• Review the list of questions you created in the previous step to make sure nothing was missed
• Brainstorm any additional questions that may be needed
• Make sure the questions you have included address all relevant topics
• Ask a colleague or another expert for advice on whether the questions are comprehensive
• Once you are confident that all topics have been covered and all questions are clear, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Structuring the conversation with the expert

• Ask the expert to provide an explanation of their opinion and the reasoning behind it
• Request the expert to provide a clear, unambiguous answer to each of the questions
• Request the expert to provide a clear timeline for when the conversation will take place
• Ask the expert to provide any additional resources or evidence that could be used to support their opinion
• Request the expert to provide a summary of their opinion and the supporting evidence
• Establish a timeline for the conversation and any follow-up steps

How you’ll know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step:
You will know you have successfully completed this step when the expert has provided all the necessary information and resources concerning their opinion, and when a timeline for the conversation has been established.

Establishing a timeline for the conversation

• Set the date for the conversation, ensuring ample time for preparation.
• Negotiate a timeline that allows for an effective discussion, while also considering the expert’s availability.
• Prepare a timeline that allows adequate time for both preparation and the conversation itself.
• Make sure to leave some room to accommodate changes in the timeline if needed.
• Once you’ve established the timeline, write it down and share it with the expert.
• You’ll know when you can check this step off your list when the timeline is set, agreed upon by both parties, and written down.

Determining the format for the conversation

• Decide whether the expert opinion will be collected in person (face-to-face meeting, virtual meeting, etc.), written (email, doc, etc.), or both
• Identify the most appropriate platform for the conversation (video conferencing, email, etc.)
• Determine the length of the conversation (30 minutes, 60 minutes, etc.)
• Identify the desired outcome of the conversation (answers to specific questions, a summary of the expert’s opinion, etc.)
• Agree on a time and date for the conversation
• Once these decisions have been made and the format for the conversation has been determined, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Agreeing on the deliverables for the conversation

• Brainstorm the topics you’d like to discuss with the expert and write them down
• Check with the expert to see if they agree with the topics you have chosen and if there is anything else they’d like to add
• Set a timeline for the conversation, including how much time will be allocated for each topic
• Discuss the expected outcomes of the conversation and how you can use the expert’s opinion to your advantage
• Make sure you both understand the deliverables and expectations before ending the conversation

Once you have agreed on the deliverables for the conversation, you can move on to the next step of evaluating the expert’s opinion.

Evaluating the expert’s opinion

• Make sure the opinion provided by the expert is valid and accurate.
• Check the expertise of the expert and their qualifications to provide the opinion.
• Identify any potential bias or ulterior motives for providing the opinion.
• Evaluate the opinion for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies.
• Discuss any potential factors or circumstances which may have impacted the opinion.

You can check this step off your list when you are confident that you have evaluated the opinion accurately and to the best of your ability.

Analyzing the opinion for accuracy

• Review the opinion for accuracy and determine if it is based on data, facts, and/or research
• Examine the opinion for bias, and be aware of any potential red flags
• Consider the opinion from different angles to ensure you understand it from all perspectives
• When you are confident the opinion is accurate and unbiased, you can move on to the next step.

Considering the opinion in the context of the goal

• Determine if the opinion fits within your goal - if it doesn’t, discard it
• Assess the opinion’s relevance to your goal - is it an effective and realistic solution?
• Consider the opinion’s limitations - what are the potential downsides to implementing it?
• Check if the opinion is consistent with other opinions - are there any conflicts?
• Once you’ve determined the opinion fits your goal and is not in conflict with other opinions, you can move on to the next step.

Verifying the opinion with other sources

• Research the opinion to make sure it’s supported by other sources.
• Use established search tools and databases to find related opinions.
• Take notes on the other sources that you find to back up the opinion.
• Compare the original opinion with the other sources.
• Make sure there is a consensus among the sources.

When you have found supporting evidence from other sources, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Communicating the expert’s opinion

• Choose a platform or method to communicate the opinion: website, blog post, press release, etc.
• Send a draft to the expert for approval before publishing.
• Publish the opinion on the chosen platform or method.
• Confirm the opinion was published and shared with the correct audience.
• You can check this off your list and move on to the next step after the opinion has been published and shared.

Preparing a summary of the opinion

• Explore the expert’s opinion thoroughly, including their background and credentials
• Create an outline of the opinion, including the main points and supporting evidence
• Break down the opinion into sections and subsections
• Summarize each part into a few sentences
• Write a brief introduction and conclusion
• When you’ve finished the summary, review it to make sure it captures the essence of the opinion
• Once you’re satisfied with the summary, you can move on to the next step of delivering the opinion to the stakeholders.

Delivering the opinion to the stakeholders

• Ensure the opinion is delivered to all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner
• Use clear and concise language to explain the opinion and its implications
• Provide a copy of the opinion to each stakeholder
• If applicable and requested, provide a copy of the supporting materials that were used to reach the opinion
• Answer any questions or concerns that stakeholders may have about the opinion
• When all relevant stakeholders have received the opinion and have had their questions answered, this step can be marked as complete.

Explaining the opinion in detail

• Provide a clear and concise explanation of the expert opinion and its implications to the stakeholders
• Detail the reasoning behind the opinion, including any assumptions made
• Use appropriate language to ensure that stakeholders of all backgrounds can understand the opinion
• Consider any legal or ethical ramifications of the opinion
• When complete, review the explanation and ensure that all stakeholders are able to understand the opinion
• When the explanation is clear and complete, move on to the next step of the guide.

Documenting the process and the expert’s opinion

• Create a document outlining the process of gathering expert opinion, including the contact information, the question you asked, and the expert’s opinion
• Include any additional information that was discussed on the call
• Save the document in a secure location
• You’ll know this step is complete when you have a documented record of the process and the expert’s opinion.

Recording the conversation with the expert

• Set up a recording device to capture the conversation
• Place the device in a location where it will not be disturbed for the duration of the conversation
• Test the device to make sure it is functioning properly
• Introduce yourself and the purpose of the conversation
• Ask the expert questions to gain the necessary opinions and perspectives
• Make sure to ask clarifying questions when needed
• Make sure to thank the expert for their time
• Stop the recording device after the conversation is over
• Check the recording to make sure it has captured all the information successfully
• When the recording is complete, you can move on to the next step in the process.

Capturing all relevant notes and resources

• Use a note-taking app to capture all relevant notes from the conversation
• Gather any resources shared by the expert and save them in a secure folder
• Collect the contact information of the expert for future reference
• When all relevant notes and resources have been captured, check off this step and move on to archiving the documents in a secure location.

Archiving the documents in a secure location

• Create a dedicated folder or repository for archiving the documents.
• Use a secure online storage platform to store any digital documents or resources.
• Ensure that all documents are password protected.
• Create a backup of all archived documents in case of any technical issues or data loss.
• Confirm that all documents are properly stored and can be easily accessed when needed.

Once the documents have been properly archived, you can move on to the next step.

Utilizing the expert opinion to inform decisions

• Research and analyze the expert opinion in order to make informed decisions.
• Use the provided templates to capture the experts’ opinions.
• Distill the opinions into actionable insights.
• Consider the opinions when making decisions.
• Update the templates as needed.

You will know you can move on to the next step when the research and analysis of the experts opinion is complete, and you have distilled the opinions into actionable insights.

Establishing criteria for making decisions

• Assess what criteria you will use to make decisions
• Identify which criteria are most important and prioritize them
• Discuss and clarify criteria with stakeholders
• Create a checklist to ensure all criteria are taken into account
• Test the criteria against potential options to determine the best decision
• When the criteria is established and agreed upon, you can move on to the next step.

Considering the expert opinion in the context of the criteria

• Review the criteria established for making decisions and make sure it covers all aspects of the problem at hand.
• Analyze the expert opinion to determine how it is best used in the context of the criteria.
• Ask questions to gain additional insight from the expert opinion and understand how it should be applied to the criteria.
• Compare the expert opinion against the criteria to ensure that it meets the requirements established.
• Once the expert opinion is considered in the context of the criteria, you can move on to the next step of making decisions.

Making decisions based on the expert opinion

• Consider the expert opinion in light of the criteria.
• Identify areas where the opinion may be less reliable or could be improved.
• Discuss the opinion with stakeholders and other experts.
• Weigh the opinion against available evidence.
• Make a decision based on the expert opinion, taking into account other factors.
• Document the decision, process and rationale for the decision.
• Check off this step and move on to the next step: Reviewing the process and results.

Reviewing the process and results

• Create a document to track the results of the expert opinion process
• Review the results of the expert opinion process to determine whether the decisions made were satisfactory
• Compare the decisions made to the original objectives of the expert opinion process
• Analyze any discrepancies between the decisions made and the objectives
• Identify any areas that need to be addressed to ensure the expert opinion process is successful
• Evaluate the efficacy of the process and the decisions made
• Make any necessary changes to ensure the process and decisions are satisfactory
• Document any changes made to the process and decisions

When you have completed this step, you should have a documented process and decisions that have been evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted to match the original objectives.

Evaluating the efficacy of the process

• Measure the effectiveness of the process against the original objectives
• Utilize metrics and benchmarks to assess the success of the process
• Gather feedback from stakeholders to determine the efficacy of the process
• Analyze the results to identify any areas of improvement
• Create an action plan to address any areas of improvement
• When all objectives have been met, the process is considered successful and you can move on to the next step.

Gathering feedback from stakeholders

• Reach out to stakeholders who were involved in the process evaluation.
• Ask for their feedback and recommendations on how to improve the process for future use.
• Document their feedback and recommendations in a summary document.
• Ask if they are open to revisiting the process regularly in the future.
• Once all feedback has been gathered and documented, you can move on to the next step.

Documenting lessons learned for future use

• Brainstorm lessons learned and document in a shared document
• Develop a template to capture the key lessons learned
• Share the template with stakeholders for review
• Finalize the template and document the key lessons identified
• Distribute the final template and lessons learned to stakeholders
• Store the template and lessons learned in a shared repository for future use
• Evaluate the process when the project is complete to ensure that key lessons have been documented
• Check off this step when the template and lessons learned are finalized and stored in the repository for future use.

FAQ:

Q: How do the templates and toolkit help me understand jurisdictional differences?

Asked by Teresa on March 6th, 2022.
A: Understanding jurisdictional differences can be a complex task. The templates and toolkit provided in this guide can help you analyse the various laws and regulations governing these areas, allowing you to make an informed decision about which jurisdiction is right for you. With this knowledge, you can make sure that you are compliant with the relevant regulations and laws in each jurisdiction, ensuring that you are up to date with the latest changes.

Q: How does the templates and toolkit help me understand my industry sector?

Asked by Noah on April 3rd, 2022.
A: The templates and toolkit provided in this guide will help you to better understand your industry sector. This will enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the various stakeholders, regulations, trends and dynamics of your sector. You will be able to identify potential opportunities for growth within your sector, as well as any risks that may be present. This information will also allow you to tailor your legal strategy accordingly.

Q: How does the templates and toolkit help me if I’m running a SaaS business?

Asked by Abigail on July 1st, 2022.
A: The templates and toolkit provided in this guide can be extremely helpful for those running a SaaS business. The various templates available can help you to better understand the various legal obligations which may arise as a result of running a SaaS business. Additionally, the toolkit provides resources which can help to ensure that your SaaS business is compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

Q: How do I know if I need an expert opinion?

Asked by Elijah on August 5th, 2022.
A: Deciding whether or not you need an expert opinion is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Generally speaking, if you are unsure about how best to proceed with a particular legal issue or situation then it may be beneficial to seek out an expert opinion from a qualified lawyer or legal professional. An expert opinion can provide valuable guidance and insight into complicated legal matters, helping to ensure that your interests are represented appropriately.

Q: How do I know if I’m getting accurate advice from my expert?

Asked by Emma on August 21st, 2022.
A: Ensuring that you are getting accurate advice from your expert is an important step in the process of obtaining an expert opinion. To ensure accuracy, it is important to make sure that your expert is qualified and experienced in the area of law relevant to your legal issue or situation. Additionally, it is important to ask questions and ensure that all of your concerns have been addressed before making any decisions based on the advice provided by your expert.

Q: What kind of research should I do before consulting with an expert?

Asked by Michael on September 17th, 2022.
A: Before consulting with an expert it is important to do some research into the relevant area of law so that you have a better understanding of what questions to ask and what advice might be relevant for your situation. Additionally, researching possible solutions or strategies for addressing your legal issue or situation may help provide insight into what advice might be beneficial for you to receive from an expert opinion. This will enable you to get more out of any consultation with an expert.

Q: What resources should I use when researching potential strategies?

Asked by Olivia on October 8th, 2022.
A: When researching potential strategies for addressing a legal issue or situation there are numerous resources available which can provide valuable information and guidance. These resources include books and articles written by experts in the field, as well as online forums and websites dedicated to providing information about legal topics. Additionally, consulting with other professionals who have experience in the relevant area of law may be beneficial when researching potential strategies for addressing a legal issue or situation.

Q: What questions should I ask when consulting with an expert?

Asked by Mason on November 11th, 2022.
A: When consulting with an expert it is important to ask questions which are pertinent to your particular legal issue or situation so that you can get the most out of any consultation time that you have with them. Questions should focus on gaining insight into any potential solutions or strategies which may be available as well as any risks associated with those strategies which should be taken into consideration before making any decisions based on advice received from the expert opinion consultation session. Additionally, asking follow-up questions related to any topics discussed during the consultation session may also be beneficial in order to gain further clarity around any issues discussed during the consultation session.

Q: What should I consider before deciding whether or not I need an expert opinion?

Asked by Ava on December 3rd, 2022 .
A: Before deciding whether or not you need an expert opinion it is important to consider several factors such as how complex the legal issue or situation is; whether it requires specialized knowledge; whether there are any deadlines associated with addressing the issue; what risks may be associated with making decisions without seeking advice from an expert; and how much time and resources will be required in order for a satisfactory solution to be reached without seeking advice from an expert opinion consultant. Taking all these factors into account will enable you to make an informed decision about whether obtaining an expert opinion is necessary for addressing a particular legal issue or situation successfully.

Example dispute

Suing a Company for Negligence:

• Plaintiff can sue a company for negligence if the company failed to meet the required standard of care which resulted in damages.
• Expert opinion can be used to prove that the company has not met the required standard of care.
• Expert opinion can also be used to help establish the cause of the damages and how they can be calculated.
• The expert can provide evidence such as industry standards, scientific data, and other relevant information that can help prove the case.
• Expert opinion can also help to establish a reasonable settlement amount, if the parties decide to settle instead of going to trial.

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