Podcast Guest (8/18/22) Turning Medical Expert Witnessing Into a Business [Branch Out Podcast by Sycamore Physicians]

Turning Medical Expert Work Into A Real Business

I joined the Branch Out podcast to talk about something many physicians think about in private but rarely say out loud.

“How do I protect my mental health, still use my clinical skills, and have more control over my income and time?”

In this episode, I share how I did that by building a medical expert witness business.

You can listen to the episode here:
Episode 70, “Turning Medical Expert Witnessing Into a Business” on Branch Out.

Why I Looked Beyond Clinical Work

I loved Internal Medicine. I still do.

But like many physicians, I hit a point where the schedule, the pressure, and the constant demands were not sustainable. I needed to protect my mental and emotional health before something gave out.

In the episode, we talk about:

• Why burnout is reversible if you notice the signs early
• How taking a pause, even a short one, can help you think clearly
• How family influences, including my father, shaped both my medical path and my decision to build something different

Using What You Already Know

Most doctors think a “side business” requires a brand new skill. I do not agree.

I built my expert witness work on skills I already used every day.

For example:

• Reading and critiquing medical records
• Explaining complex cases in plain language
• Giving clear, honest opinions even when they are not popular

On the podcast, I explain how those skills translated into:

• Serving as a medical expert witness
• Reviewing cases for merit for attorneys
• Then creating a company that matches vetted experts with attorneys who need them

At the time of this recording, my company was called MED LAW Consulting. It has since grown and evolved into what is now High Rock Experts®, with a larger network of experts and a full educational arm for clinicians.

Turning Expert Work Into a Business

Many clinicians take the first case that lands in their lap. Few treat it like a business from day one.

We talk about:

• Why you need clear boundaries and written agreements
• How to think about fees without guilt
• Why tracking your cases and time protects both you and the attorney
• How early business coaching helped me avoid common mistakes

I also mention resources like SCORE, which offers free or low cost business mentoring, and how that support helped me move from “side gig” thinking to real business strategy.

Lessons For Clinicians Considering Expert Work

If you are a physician, PA, NP, psychologist, or other medical professional, this episode will help you think about next steps.

Key takeaways:

• Your medical training has value outside the clinic
• You can protect your integrity and still earn well
• You do not need to wait until retirement to start
• Rest is an option, not a failure
• You have more career options than you were ever told in residency

I also share some of the missteps I made, so you can avoid them.

Want To Learn More About Becoming an Expert Witness?

If this conversation sparks something for you and you want to explore expert work more seriously, you have options.

On my site, you will find:

• Courses that walk you through the basics of expert witnessing
• Training on how to set up your business and contracts
• Guidance on how to market yourself to attorneys while staying ethical

You can learn more about my courses here:

👉 High Rock Academy for Experts

Listen to the Branch Out episode, then come back and decide what your next small step will be. You do not need to change everything at once. You just need to start using what you already know in a way that serves you too.