Forensic Linguistic Research

•Professor Emeritus of English & Cultural Anthropology, Duke University

•Former Chair, Department of English, Duke University

•Former Chair, Linguistics Program, Duke University

•Former Co-Editor, International Journal of Speech, Language, and Law

•Immediate Past President, International Association of Forensic Linguists

I concluded forty years of professional service in teaching and research at Duke University in September, 2007. For over twenty-five years I have consulted with law firms and served as an expert witness in matters concerning linguistics and the law, and I continue to offer my services as linguistic expert specializing in

•trademark issues (strength of mark,  likelihood of confusion, word history, dilution, putatively scandalous marks)

•interpretation of the language of contracts and statutes

•allegations of defamation

•verifiability of confessions and interrogations

•the interpretation of linguistic evidence—spoken, written, and electronic

Linguistics Expert/ Trademark Linguistics/ Expert Witness