Common Questions From Attorneys & Law Firms
What types of matters does Bill Hartzer handle as an expert witness?
Bill handles matters involving SEO performance and malpractice, domain name and domain theft disputes, digital marketing and PPC disputes including click fraud, and online defamation and reputation harm cases. See the case types page for specific fact patterns.
Does Bill work for both plaintiffs and defendants?
Yes. Bill provides expert witness and consulting expert services to counsel representing either plaintiffs or defendants, subject to a conflict check at the outset of any engagement.
Is Bill Hartzer an attorney?
No. Bill is a technical expert witness and consultant, not an attorney. He does not provide legal advice and does not represent parties as legal counsel; nothing on this site should be interpreted as legal advice.
Has Bill testified in court before?
Yes. Bill has been deposed and has testified at trial in matters involving SEO, domain names, digital marketing, and online defamation.
Does Bill work on matters outside of Texas?
Yes. Bill works with attorneys and law firms across the United States, and internet and digital marketing disputes frequently involve parties and evidence spread across multiple jurisdictions.
How early in a case should Bill be brought in?
Earlier is generally better. Involving a technical expert early allows for better-preserved evidence, more thorough analysis, and expert input into discovery requests aimed at the technical records that actually matter.
How does Bill bill for his time?
Bill bills hourly for case review, analysis, report preparation, and deposition and trial testimony, with rates and any retainer confirmed in writing before work begins. See the engagement process and fees page for more detail.
What materials does Bill need to review a potential case?
This varies by matter, but often includes account access or exports (analytics, advertising, or domain registrar records), correspondence between the parties, and any existing expert reports. Bill can advise on specific materials once he understands the matter.
What is the difference between a testifying expert and a consulting expert?
A testifying expert prepares reports and provides deposition and trial testimony and is generally subject to discovery. A consulting expert advises counsel behind the scenes, often without testifying, and work product may be protected from discovery depending on jurisdiction and circumstances.
Does Bill only work on litigation matters?
No. While much of Bill's expert witness work relates to active or anticipated litigation, he also consults on pre-litigation matters, internal investigations, and arbitration proceedings such as UDRP domain disputes.