Don Frankenfeld is an economic expert, not an advocate. He has never “won” a case, but he has often been an integral contributor to a successful resolution. His clients walk into court or a negotiation confidently armed with solid numbers based on sound economic theory and years of experience. They know that Don will present his analysis clearly and authoritatively.
Here are three examples:
In the wake of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center tragedy, calls went out for forensic economists who could prepare specialized economic loss reports for survivors and also testify on a case-by-case basis before the Federal September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Using his computer modeling expertise, Don Frankenfeld contributed hundreds of hours to develop an online Economic Loss Estimator that followed the unique compensation rules of Special Master Kenneth Feinberg. In the course of his work, Don uncovered a mistake in one of the tables prepared for the VCF by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Fortunately, the mistake was subsequently acknowledged and corrected by the Victim Compensation Fund before any compensation hearings had been held. Ultimately, Mr. Frankenfeld’s self-actualized software program, available at no cost to victims and attorneys, generated reports and analysis for more than 1,000 victims. Some cases still required live testimony, and Mr. Frankenfeld’s 70+ appearances before Special Master Feinberg (or his designated hearing examiners) made him the most frequently-appearing expert witness in the hearings.
Mirapex was a Parkinson’s drug developed and marketed by Pfizer and Boehringer- Ingelheim. For some users the drug allegedly led to harmful side effects. Mr. Frankenfeld was retained as an expert economist in Federal multi-district litigation. After his testimony in two “pattern” cases, the parties settled hundreds of individual suits. Mr. Frankenfeld prepared reports or testified in dozens of these suits.
The Governor of a Midwestern state was killed in a plane crash. Mr. Frankenfeld was retained as an economic expert in a suit against both the aircraft manufacturer and the propeller manufacturer. A key question involved the Governor’s potential earning capacity after leaving office. Mr. Frankenfeld prepared and submitted his economic loss report and testified to that and other issues.
Don has appeared in state and federal courts and has consulted with attorneys in New York, California, New Jersey, Texas, Iowa, South Dakota, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, and Wyoming.
Don is known for the clarity of his presentations. In addition to his lively narrative, he displays his conclusions in a crisp, colorful, easy-to-understand graphical format.
Don devotes approximately 10% of his caseload to Pro Bono work.
