How to Find the Right Hospitality Expert Witness for Your Case

7 min readBy Ryan Dahlstrom

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Ryan Dahlstrom

Nationally Recognized Hospitality Expert Witness · 25+ Years Industry Experience · Plaintiff & Defense

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Not all expert witnesses are created equal. In hospitality and alcohol-related cases, the difference between a credible expert and an ineffective one often comes down to real-world operational experience. Here's what to look for.

Why Hospitality Cases Require Specialized Experts

Hospitality litigation — dram shop, liquor liability, negligent security, premises liability — involves industry-specific standards that are not codified in statutes. What constitutes reasonable security staffing at a nightclub? What does responsible alcohol service look like in a high-volume bar? These questions can only be answered credibly by someone who has actually operated in that environment. An expert with only academic or law enforcement credentials will struggle to connect with a jury the way an experienced operator can.

Key Qualifications to Evaluate

When vetting a hospitality expert witness, consider: direct ownership or management experience in licensed establishments, familiarity with state and local alcohol regulations, certifications in responsible beverage service (TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, etc.), experience with security operations in entertainment venues, a track record of accepted expert testimony, and the ability to communicate complex industry concepts in plain language. References from attorneys who have retained the expert previously are also valuable.

Questions to Ask Before Retaining an Expert

Before signing an engagement agreement, ask: Have you testified in cases with similar fact patterns? Have your opinions ever been excluded under Daubert or Frye? Are you available to consult during discovery, not just at trial? Can you provide written reports that meet the requirements of FRCP 26(a)(2)? What is your fee structure and availability? A qualified expert should answer these questions confidently and transparently.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious of experts who: have no direct operational experience in the industry, have been excluded from testifying in prior cases, offer opinions outside their area of expertise, are unwilling to acknowledge weaknesses in their position, or charge unusually low fees that suggest they take any case regardless of merit. The best experts are selective — they only accept cases where they can render an honest, defensible opinion.

About Ryan Dahlstrom

Ryan Dahlstrom is a nationally recognized hospitality expert witness with over 25 years of direct industry experience. He has been retained by plaintiff and defense attorneys in dram shop, liquor liability, negligent security, and premises liability cases across the country. His opinions are grounded in real operational experience and have been consistently admitted in state and federal courts.

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