The case
I was appointed by international law firm Reed Smith LLP as an expert witness before the Hong Kong High Court in a criminal case involving a maritime disaster that resulted in 39 casualties.
The case had already been the subject of a 2-year official Commission of Inquiry. My role was to provide independent technical analysis of the evidence.
What I did
I conducted original data analysis on the technical evidence, going beyond what the Commission of Inquiry had examined. This analysis revealed facts that were previously unknown, providing critical new evidence for the defence.
The work required deep technical expertise in data analysis, simulation, and the ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly to a non-technical jury.
The outcome
I testified for 6 days before the jury. The analysis I provided was instrumental in the defence case, ultimately helping to save an innocent person from an 8-year prison sentence.
James M. Turner QC, the barrister leading the case, described me as "everything an expert should be: enthusiastic, immensely knowledgeable, personable and totally reliable."
Why this matters
This experience represents the highest-stakes application of technical analysis and clear communication. When someone's freedom depends on your ability to find truth in data and explain it to a jury, there is no room for error.
The same rigour, analytical depth, and ability to communicate complex technical reality in clear terms is what I bring to every technology leadership engagement. Whether I'm presenting to investors, boards, or technical teams, the discipline is the same.