Expert Witness Services
Speech-Language Pathology expertise for attorneys, families, and the cases where a child’s voice matters most.
Over two decades of clinical expertise, translated into clear, credible testimony. Trusted by attorneys and families when a child’s communication is at the center of the case.
Some cases require more than an evaluation. They require an expert.
When a child’s communication, education, or future is at the center of a legal matter, the details matter. The clinical findings matter. The way those findings are explained, to attorneys, to judges, to hearing officers, matters even more.
That’s the work I do as a Speech-Language Pathology Expert Witness.
About This Work
I’m Sholeh Shahinfar, MA, CCC-SLP, Founder of Valued Voices and a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over two decades of experience working with children and adults across a wide range of communication profiles. I bring deep clinical knowledge, careful documentation, and clear, accessible expert testimony to cases that involve speech, language, and communication.
This is a service I provide personally, not delegated to my team. Every case receives my full attention, time, and clinical lens.
When to Bring Me In
I’m typically retained by attorneys representing families in:
Special education disputes, including IEP and 504 disagreements, due process hearings, and mediation
IDEA and FAPE matters involving denial of appropriate speech and language services
Personal injury cases involving communication impacts from traumatic brain injury or other incidents
Civil matters where speech, language, or communication function is relevant to the case
I’m also available to consult with families and their attorneys to determine whether expert involvement is appropriate for a given case.
What I Provide
Depending on the needs of your case, my services may include:
Comprehensive independent evaluation of the child or adult’s speech, language, and communication functioning
Record review and case history analysis, including prior evaluations, IEPs, progress reports, and relevant medical documentation
Written expert reports suitable for legal proceedings
Declarations and affidavits
Deposition testimony
Expert testimony at due process hearings and in court
Consultation with legal teams to clarify clinical findings and prepare cross-examination strategy
Why It Matters
The strongest expert testimony isn’t loud. It’s clear. It’s grounded in evidence, presented with calm authority, and rooted in genuine care for the person at the center of the case.
My approach combines rigorous clinical methodology with the ability to translate complex speech-language concepts into language that judges, juries, and IEP teams can understand and act on.
Licensure & Credentials
Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders, California State University, Long Beach
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in California
Certified Beckman Oral Motor Therapist
Certified in Natural Language Acquisition / Gestalt Language Processing (NLA/GLP)
Active member of ASHA
Getting Started
If you’re an attorney exploring whether expert witness involvement would strengthen your case, or a parent wondering whether your attorney should retain an SLP expert, I welcome the conversation.
Initial consultations are confidential. Engagements are formalized through a written retainer agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I’m typically retained for special education matters (IEP disputes, FAPE denial, due process hearings, mediation), personal injury cases involving communication impacts, and civil matters where speech, language, or communication function is at issue. If you’re not sure whether your case fits, reach out, a brief conversation is usually enough to know.
