School Safety Expert Witnesses

Security, Premises Liability - schools, school safety, foreseeability, facial recognition, alarms, access control, surveillance, parking lots, bars, hotels, concerts, sporting events, apartments, retail, guards, lighting, risk assessments, security adequacy

Security consultant and expert witness. Masters degree in protection management, physical security. Diverse experience with security technology such as access control, facial recognition, and video surveillance. Significant teaching/training experience. Special experience in school security.

School Safety, Education & Schools - Child Care , Child Care Administration, Health and Safety Child Care, Preschool Administration, Title 22 Regulations, Child Care Non-Profit Administration, Title 5 Regulations, Child care Best Business Practices

Child Abuse, School Safety - sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, molestation, grooming, sexual misconduct, educator misconduct, child sexual abuse prevention, best practices, boundary violations, boundary policies, mandated reporter, failure to report, school, after school, sex ed, reporting, Title IX, SAM

I am an expert in child sexual abuse prevention in youth-serving organizations. While organizations may not be able to stop every case of child sexual abuse within their programs, there are best practices that when followed, significantly lower the risk of abuse occurring and minimize delays in reporting. I can help by: • Identifying and evaluating valuable discovery materials including an organization’s policies, practices, documentation, and training • Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your case by comparing those organizational materials to best practices to identify the gaps • Differentiating the failure of individual mandated reporters versus organizational failures based on that gap analysis and case materials • Identifying grooming behaviors that are cause for reasonable suspicion • Supplying best practices and relevant research to substantiate my opinion as it relates to your case • Educating the judge and jurors on grooming behaviors and boundaries that intercede...

Education & Schools, School Safety - Special Education Expert witness . Particular expertise in issues related to the standards of care for children with disabilities. Extensive experience testifying in state and federal court on matters concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Fully credentialed/certified in special education. Administrative credentials in both NY and California. Served as a classroom teacher and Principal in schools designed to serve special populations as well as general education/mainstream environments. Served as Senior SELPA Director. Taught university classes designed to prepare prospective special education teachers. Developed and implemented agreements with other agencies with responsibilities to persons with disabilities. Development , implementation and evaluation of special education programs. Establish protocols for standards of care for students with disabilities. Expertise and trial testimony experience in matters concerning school safety and child abuse.

Security, Premises Liability - schools, school safety, foreseeability, facial recognition, alarms, access control, surveillance, parking lots, bars, hotels, concerts, sporting events, apartments, retail, guards, lighting, risk assessments, security adequacy

Security consultant and expert witness. Masters degree in protection management, physical security. Diverse experience with security technology such as access control, facial recognition, and video surveillance. Significant teaching/training experience. Special experience in school security.

Education & Schools, School Safety - school evaluation, sexual abuse, child custody school evaluation, school standards of care, school safety, education standards of care, school related accidents, education, higher education, secondary education, elementary education, playground accidents, athletics and recreation

William L. Bainbridge, Ph.D., FACFE, is a forensic education expert with extensive experience in school, college and preschool related accidents, incidents & sexual abuse/sexual assault and educational evaluation for child custody. He has been court qualified as a schooling and education standards/policy expert in over 30 states. President and CEO of the SchoolMatch® Institute and Distinguished Research Professor at The University of Dayton, he is the former superintendent of three school districts in Ohio and Virginia and served on the executive staff of the Ohio Department of Education.

Education & Schools, School Safety - Childcare and Early Childhood Education, Childcare Operations, Licensing and Regulations, Supervision and Staffing, Health and Safety Compliance, Policies and Procedures, Program Development, Enrollment Management, Daycare, Preschool, Summer Camp

Anastasia Germain, Ed.D. is a childcare and early childhood education expert with thirty years of experience in both the public and private sectors. As the founder and former operator of a licensed childcare center, she has extensive knowledge of childcare operations including, but not limited to, licensing and regulations, supervision and staffing, health and safety compliance, policies and procedures, program development and enrollment management. She has held positions as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, curriculum supervisor, adjunct/assistant professor, educational consultant and director. Dr. Germain has a Doctorate in Education, Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's Degree in Reading Education from Rowan University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Rowan University. She is certified as a supervisor, reading specialist, and elementary teacher.

School Safety, Emergency Preparedness - School Security, School Shootings, Run Hide Fight, School Child Abuse, Active Shooter, School Sexual Assault, School Violence. Active Shooter Training, Bullying, Student Supervision, ALICE Training, School Resource Officers

Law Enf & Criminal Justice, School Safety - School Security, Clery Act Compliance, Campus Security Operations, Investigations, Emergency Management, Special Events Management, Policies and Procedures, Community Policing, Consortium Building, Patrol Operations, Local Law Enforcement Collaboration, Training & Education

Mr. James has served as a University Chief of Police, as well as an Executive Director for Campus Safety and Security at two (2) four-year higher education research institutions, and at a community college in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan region. In those positions he served as the chief architect for the safety and security infrastructure for several different campuses and over 50,000 students. He also served as an adjunct professor in criminal justice at a community college. He serves as the founder of a campus security consulting firm that specializes in assisting university leaders comply with their federal responsibilities under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. Mr. James has served as the Training and Education Coordinator for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Law Enforcement Executives and Administrators (HBCU-LEEA) organization whic...

School Safety, Premises Liability - sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual molestation, molestation, sexual grooming, bullying, school, church, camp, mentor, afterschool, youth serving organization, sports

Mr. Nichols specializes in cases involving injury to children in schools, churches, camps, mentoring programs, sports organizations, and afterschool programs. From 1994 to 2016 he served as Vice President of child safety and facilities for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In that role he shaped the policies and practices that helped protect over 4 million youth at over 4,000 sites in the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, Mr. Nichols entered private practice and serves as an expert witness in civil cases involving child sexual abuse within youth-serving organizations and schools, as well as a safety consultant to schools. Mr. Nichols has authored, co-authored, or contributed to over 40 articles and publications concerning protecting people from harm. Recent publications include: • "4 Ways to Address Child Sexual Abuse in Schools," Campus Safety Magazine, 2021 (author) • Recommended Guidelines & Best Practices: Background Screening in Youth-Serving Organizations, 3rd Ed., 2021 (Contributor ...

Education & Schools, School Safety - School standard of care, educator misconduct, educator sexual abuse, coaching misconduct, trusted adult misconduct, molestation, child sexual abuse, grooming, boundary violations, school investigations, student misconduct, negligent supervision, harassment, bullying, hazing, discrimination, Title IX

David Wolowitz, J.D., serves as an expert witness on the standard of care for schools and other youth-serving organizations to safeguard children from misconduct by trusted adults. He has been retained by plaintiffs and defendants on matters throughout the country in over a dozen states both a consulting and a testifying expert. In addition to being retained for current matters, Mr. Wolowitz can testify on the evolution of the standard of care for child safeguarding over the past decades. He has followed social science research and literature about the prevention of and response to child sexual abuse since the 1970s. He has been retained for multiple matters involving historical abuse claims dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Mr. Wolowitz has served as an expert in cases around the country involving current and past school standards of care for protecting the health and safety of students, as well as the adequacy of school policies, training, and investigations. He is knowledge...

Education & Schools, School Safety - Title IX, 1983, wrongful death, school and youth-serving agency liability, negligent hiring, personal injury, sexual abuse, harassment and bullying, physical abuse, student/child supervision, special education, child custody & school review, school security, daycare, camps, colleges & universities.

At School Liability Expert Group, we provide services from case inception through resolution. Determining the merit of a case, assisting with the development of pleadings, deposition focus and questions, conducting file and deposition review and analysis, developing expert reports, and offering testimony at deposition and trial are some of the services provided. Through the experience of its founder, Dr. Edward Dragan, and expert witness, Dr. John Doherty, along with a highly trained staff, School Liability Expert Group provides quality comprehensive services for plaintiff and defendant attorneys in high-profile and complicated cases. John F. Doherty Ed.D. is an experienced public and private school educator who has focused his work on improving schools through effective hiring practices, supervision and training of staff, and building a school culture of sustainability. He has over 35 years of experience as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principa...

Security, School Safety - Terrorism, School Security/Safety, Religious Facilities Security/Safety, Active Shooter Prep, Parking Lots/Garages, Entertainment Venues, Sports Arenas, Transportation Security, Hotel Security, Security Management, Inadequate/Negligent Security, Special Event Security, Workplace Violence

Joseph Tadrick, MBA, MS, is a premises liability and security consultant. Joseph provides consultation regarding security and safety aspects of commercial property management and conducts security audits for various types of commercial premises, including but not limited to: multi-family housing, resorts, hotels, retail and office space, entertainment venues, and sport arenas. He holds an MBA in Management/Marketing, an MS in Protection Management, and a BA in Psychology. In addition, Joseph was board certified in security management, having earned the prestigious designation of Certified Protection Professional (CPP) (expired 12/19) from ASIS International. As a vetted member of and speaker at InfraGard events, Joseph contributed to and developed a partnership between the FBI and the private sector by providing industry specific insights. Joseph’s training in physical security, force protection, and Intelligence began when he as a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer supported th...

Education & Schools, School Safety - high school,urban,STEM,education,magnet,negligence,teacher, discipline,supervision,principal,student,teacher hiring,standard of care,teacher evaluation,school culture,injury,professional error,administration,teacher training,school safety,liability,school accident,discrimination,failure to serve

35+ years in public education administration, teaching & policy: testifies on training & supervision of school personnel, abuse, discipline, discrimination, school accidents Dr. Rhodes offers extensive experience on multiple aspects of school-related liability for negligence, both elementary and secondary. Dr. Rhodes is an exceptional analytical thinker and writer with keen insight, timely reports and compelling testimony. Founding Principal of the largest public U.S. urban STEM high school (2008). Founding Principal of the 1st environmental public high school in Ohio. Policy--former elected School Board member in large urban district. Skilled in school transformation, collaborative school design, leadership, experiential education, program design, school culture, discipline & multicultural education Developer of a unique innovative "T2" teacher hiring process. Articulate and engaging speaker on school policy, practice, and transformation. Rhodes has traveled, speaks pu...

School Safety, Education & Schools - school security, school safety, school wrongful death, school assaults, school sexual assaults, school rapes, school shootings, school violence, school bullying, school crisis, school emergency, school police, security guards, security officers, student supervision, school bus, school gangs, crime

Ken provides experienced, accessible, timely and quality expert services to plaintiff and defense attorneys on preK-12 school safety and security cases. He is an experienced speaker, teacher, news commentator and personal communicator on school safety. Ken served as an officer, investigator and gang unit supervisor for the Cleveland City Schools' safety division, and as a suburban school security director and assistant gang task force director. During his 30 years in school safety he trained and consulted with school and public safety officials from 50 states and internationally.   Ken is the author, co-author and/or editor of three books, five book chapters and 450 articles on school safety. He appears regularly in national and international news.   Ken is a four-time invited Congressional witness on school safety and emergency preparedness, and testified on bullying to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He presented to the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, Education Commission o...

Education & Schools, School Safety - Special Education, school personnel, education policy

Summary of Expertise: Experienced School District Administrator serving public education since 2002. Professional practice includes: Superintendent of a K-12 school system, State Special Education Director for Oregon, School District Special Education Director, public school Administrator, and classroom teacher. My experience and background include: Responsible for Special Education implementation in public schools including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Implementation of State and Federal guidelines for instructional practices and placement options for students who experience disabilities. Implementing Policies and procedures for students who experience disabilities in public and private schools. Training and implementation of regulations and requirements to school administrators, licensed educators, paraprofessionals, and parents. Leading systems improvement initiatives. Managing Human Resou...

Education & Schools, School Safety - School Standards of Practice, Special Education, School Safety, Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Behavior and Discipline, School Mental Health, IDEA, ADA, 504, District and School Administration, Federal Programs, Restraint and Seclusion, Evaluation, Assessment, Disability, and Risk Management.

Dr. Michael Salitore is an experienced educator, school psychologist, leader, and policy analyst. He currently serves at the State Education Agency level, coordinating the Investigations and Complaints Unit. He has served as a school district administrator, school psychologist, and adjunct faculty in the public education sector since 2003. He has served as director of student services for rural and urban school districts. His role involved administering special education policy/ federal programs, school safety, and behavioral health under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as managing school health services, school-based mental health, threat assessment, child abuse prevention, and crisis response programs. As a licensed school psychologist, he has experience with behavioral consulting, evaluating, assessing, and treating children pre-k through post-high school with disabilities. Dr. Salitore has experience a...

School Safety, Building Inspection - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Personal Safety, Premises Liability, K-12 Schools, Shelters, Residential Facilities, Apartment buildings, Government buildings, Social Services, Parks, Research and writing.

I worked for 28 years as a Eugene, Oregon Police Department Crime Prevention Specialist, and an overlapping 24 years as a school safety consultant, emphasizing positive school culture and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). I’ve conducted over 120 public school inspections nationwide, including schools in Tennessee, Colorado, Florida and Oregon that had recently experienced shootings. My services were provided under the auspices of the Eugene Police Department, the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, as an independent consultant (Safe School Design LLC), and as an Adjunct Analyst with Safe Havens International (SHI). I continue to inspect schools with SHI nationwide. An additional career thread over the years, from 1973 to the present, included a variety of positions ranging from crisis counselor to agency director in various social service agencies. Recent projects have included a one-year special assignment with the City Manager’s Office as a V...

Police Practices & Procedures, Law Enf & Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice, Police Policies, Domestic Violence, Crowd Control, Use of Force, Excessive Force, Sexual Assault, Drug Enforcement, Surveillance, School Safety, Crisis Intervention, Baton, Taser, Firearm, Electronic Control Device

Award-Winning Police Officer. 25+ Years Experience including undercover operations, SWAT Team, and School Resource Officer. Certified Firearms Trainer. Graduate of the FBI National Academy, 272th Session. Law Enforcement Highlights • Trained and deployed multiple times in "Mobile Field Force / Civil Disturbances" • Undercover operations, drug buys, surveillance and preparation of over 400 search warrants • Specialized training in Barricaded gunman situation resolution • Member of D.P.D. Pistol Team • Executive Protection, and advanced driving techniques. • Served on Multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team • Patrol Rifle Operator / Designated Marksman Certification • Certified Firearms Trainer • Field Training Officer and Supervisor • Police Honor Guard 2004 through 2015 • Additional command capacities: • New World Reporting System Build Team / Training of supervisors and Officers, Mobile Field Force Unit Commander Career Accolades With Sterling Heights Police Department • (6) Merit Ci...

Athletics & Recreation, School Safety - Parks, Playgrounds, Play Spaces, Games, Sport Supervision, Sport Instruction, Sport Facilities, Athletic Facilities, Equipment, Recreational Facilities, Emergency Action Planning and Response, Sport Injury, Recreational Injury

For more than two decades, I have served as a sport and recreation safety expert – as a litigation expert witness providing opinion on safety issues through case consultation, and by testimony at trial or deposition – and as a sport facility safety inspector. I have provided expert witness testimony on cases across the broad spectrum of sport and recreational activities, around such issues as the adequacy of supervision, instruction, equipment, premises/facilities and emergency action planning. I have conducted safety inspections of sport and recreational facilities (fields, courts, playgrounds, play spaces, gyms, waterfront, pools, climbing walls, etc.) for k-12 schools, colleges, and universities, and have consulted on safety issues for private sector entertainment venues. In municipalities, I have conducted inspections of playgrounds, play spaces and sport facilities to inform municipal loss prevention efforts. These experiences, coupled with a unique educational background in l...