Lexvid Certified CLE Speaker

Bar States / Jurisdictions

CAlifornia

Practice Areas

forensic document expert

What Attorneys Are Saying About Mike's Courses

Extremely useful information. I would like to see this again, once I am over the MCLE time crunch!

Veronica H

Excellent examination of how bias affects litigation. Very thoughtful and thought provoking.

Bonnie K

I found this course very to be enlightening as to the potential for challenging questionable documents

Kevin C

Mike Wakshull Bio

Mike Wakshull is a court-qualified forensic document examiner located in Temecula, CA. He partners with attorney clients to deliver results that often lead to early settlements in favor of the counsel who retained him. When cases go to trial, he presents them in jury-speak rather than techno-geek to educate the triers of fact. He applies his technical and science training to present a science-based approach to his opinions—a court requirement.

Mike has authored two books on the topic of forensic document examination. He has presented at several international forensics conferences. A member of several industry-related associations, he serves of the board of two. Mike has had forensic document examination cases from fourteen states.

Mike was chair of the 2012 National Association of Document Examiners conference, the 2014 Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners Conference, and the 2015 Forensic Expert Witness Association conference.

He has been qualified as an expert witness in California Superior Courts and Federal District Court, testifying in cases involving will contests, contract disputes and others. Questioned documents discovered include an altered deed, cut-and-paste signatures, altered mortgage documents, altered handwritten documents, electronic documents, and many other types of questioned documents. Mike is one of a handful of forensic document examiners with a graduate school certificate in forensic document examination from an accredited university.

Mike is a member of the National Speakers Association. He was an invited speaker at the annual conference of the National Association of Document Examiners (NADE), Association of Forensic Document Examiners (AFDE), World Congress of Forensics in Chongqing, China, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and others.

Education

East Tennessee State University

CLE Courses by Mike Wakshull

Introduction to the Examination of Altered Documents

Forensic document examiners are often retained to determine whether a document has been altered. This presentation offers an overview to attorneys to different types of alterations encountered by document examiners and methods of detecting the alterations.

Authentication of Handwriting

This seminar uses case studies to illustrate methods of handwriting authentication. Cases include the Zodiac Killer and the 2018 Zahau v. Shacknai case that resolved whether Rebecca Zahau was murdered or committed suicide at the Spreckels Mansion on Coronado Island.

Examination of Altered Documents

This presentation offers an overview of the issues related to altered documents of all types, including email alterations, cut-and-paste signatures, and uncovering writing below a scribble-out.

How to Hire a Forensic Expert: Update

This seminar introduces the legal professional to methods for interviewing a prospective document examiner, or other prospective expert witness. You will learn how to properly vet your prospective expert.

Examination of Fraudulent Real Estate Documents

This one-hour MCLE presentation uses real case studies to illustrate techniques that have been used to fraudulently acquire real estate by altering documents.

Document Fraud in Elder Abuse Cases

There are a number of ways in fraudulently altered documents are used in elder abuse cases. This presentation looks at real case examples of this, giving elder law attorneys the tools they need to evaluate possible fraud when confronted with such a case.

The Consequences of Bias in Litigation

Bias in litigation is a prevalent problem. The ability to recognize your biases and the biases of your opponent can affect the outcome of your case. This program will help you overcome yours and make you a better litigator.

Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?

Bias in the courtroom is a prevalent problem. Bias exists in all people. The ability to recognize your biases and the biases of your opponent can save or lose your case. This presentation introduces the four forms of courtroom biases plus expert witness bias. You learn how to recognize these biases in yourself, your expert witness, and the opposition.

Bias in the Courtroom

Bias is a human trait that exists in all people. In the courtroom, the ability to recognize your biases and the biases of your opponent can win or lose your case. This program will teach you how to think differntly about your interpretation of evidence and combat various instances of biases in the courtroom.

How to Hire a Forensic Expert

This seminar introduces the legal professional to methods for interviewing a prospective document examiner, or other prospective expert witness.

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