The American Boat and Yacht Council said its 2017 Marine Law Symposium will be held Jan. 10 in Charleston, S.C.

The training event will cover the roles and expectations of an expert witness and will provide attendees with tactics, tips and tools of the trade when preparing for trial.

The ABYC said expert witnesses, manufacturers, surveyors, insurance personnel, underwriters, compliance professionals and others in the marine industry will learn from speakers who specialize in marine law and product liability.

“As a manufacturer, you have to be prepared for your product to be the subject of a lawsuit,” ABYC president John Adey told Trade Only Today.

“We have the head of product liability training for Under Armour to do our keynote,” Adey added: Under Armour senior counsel Margaret Watkins. With a dominant and rapidly growing brand to protect, Watkins will provide a unique perspective on product safety and compliance, he said.

Christina Paul, a partner at K&L Gates and one of the event’s speakers, will share inside knowledge and real-world examples.

“Having a well-credentialed and experienced expert is only part of the equation,” Paul said in a statement. “It is equally important that the expert can withstand the scrutiny of cross-examination and navigate the pitfalls of deposition.”

Breakout sessions will be held in the afternoon with custom content, depending on attendee interests.

“If you are a boatbuilder in the United States, you can’t miss this event,” said Brunswick Corp. government affairs and product integrity director Dave Marlow. “From designing a reasonably safe product to handling the customer interface when things don’t go as planned, this continuing education opportunity is a valuable tool for your organization.”

Manufacturer Track:

Product liability and you — Dave Marlow, Brunswick Corp.

Designing a reasonably safe product — Marcia Kull, Volvo Penta

When the customer sues — Christina Paul, K&L Gates LLP

Expert Witness Track:

Representing yourself — William Daley, CED Technologies

How clients prepare and use experts — Wendy Sanders, Design Research Engineering Inc.

The role of an expert witness — Caroline Plater, Reed Smith LLP

Choosing an Expert Witness Track:

Match the expert to the claim — Gavin O’Hare, CED Technologies

After the investigation — Ricard Basom, S-E-A Ltd.

How I will discredit your expert — David Rammelt, Reed Smith LLP