For many obstetrician-gynecologists, the delivery room is a hub of high-stakes, rapid decision-making—where clinical expertise directly impacts lives. But those same skills can serve a powerful purpose outside the hospital. Increasingly, practicing OBGYNs are finding fulfilling, well-compensated second careers as expert witnesses, where their medical insight plays a vital role in legal proceedings.

Why OBGYNs Make Exceptional Expert Witnesses

As a practicing OBGYN, you bring an exceptional depth of knowledge across prenatal care, labor management, surgical procedures, and maternal-fetal outcomes. Your ability to assess complications, interpret records, and explain the standard of care makes you a highly sought-after resource in legal cases involving:

  • Standard of OBGYN care
  • Office/hospital policy and procedure 
  • Birth injuries
  • Maternal or fetal death
  • Delayed diagnosis or treatment
  • Surgical complications
  • Failure to monitor or act on warning signs

Lawyers and courts rely on OBGYN expert witnesses to clarify complex medical events and identify when standards were met—or missed.

Communication Skills that Translate to the Courtroom

The same patient-centered communication you use in clinical settings is also critical in court. Expert witnesses must clearly explain medical concepts to juries, judges, and attorneys who may have no clinical background. Your ability to distill complex ideas, offer confident analysis, and remain calm under questioning adds significant value.

How to Get Started

Transitioning into medicolegal work isn’t difficult—but it does require preparation.

1. Get Training: Learn the legal system’s basics, including deposition strategy, legal terminology, and ethical considerations. Courses and CME programs are available to help build a foundation.

2. Find Mentorship: Connect with experienced OBGYN expert witnesses who can guide you through your first case reviews, reports, and testimonies.

3. Start Small: Begin by reviewing medical records, writing opinions, or preparing affidavits. As you gain comfort, move into depositions and trial appearances.

4. Build Visibility: Join expert witness directories, contribute to legal-medical publications, and create a professional bio that highlights your qualifications and areas of specialization.

5. Work with Referrals: Partnering with expert witness agencies can help streamline engagements and connect you with vetted legal clients.

Experience Measurable Results and a Clear Return on Your Investment

The financial upside of expert witness work is substantial, especially compared to the hours and stress often associated with clinical practice.

How Much Can You Make With OBGYN Medicolegal Work?

OBGYN expert witness fees typically range from $600 to $1,000+ per hour, depending on your credentials, case complexity, location, and ability to negotiate. Whether you take on one case per quarter or multiple per month, the work is high-impact and high-reward—both financially and professionally.

A Flexible, Fulfilling Career Pivot

Becoming an expert witness doesn’t mean leaving medicine behind. It means expanding your influence—helping ensure accountability, supporting justice, and using your hard-earned clinical insights in a new, meaningful way. Many OBGYNs find that this transition reduces burnout and restores a sense of professional autonomy.

Ready to learn how to pivot from patient care to expert care in the courtroom? Visit www.mooreexperts.com to explore training programs and mentorship opportunities that can help you launch your expert witness career with confidence.