At IMS, we believe our people are our greatest asset. In honor of our incredible team, we are thrilled to go “beyond the bio” and share the personal stories of employees across our organization.
As members of the expert witness team, Ben Story and Deborah Vanicek provide valuable support to the IMS process through research and medical expert advocacy. The two “Honor the Relationship” by “Operating as One” with clients and colleagues. Read on to learn how Ben and Deborah are the backbone of IMS services, ensuring that our clients’ expert witness needs are fulfilled.
Ben Story, Researcher
Q: How/why did you get into this industry?
A: I have always been interested in the law since high school as a competing attorney on the mock trial team. I then competed on my college moot court team in regional and national competitions during my undergraduate career. Before joining IMS, I interned with the Georgia Innocence Project, a wrongful conviction nonprofit based in Atlanta.
Q: How did you find/why did you choose IMS?
A: Coincidentally, I heard about IMS while vacationing in Pensacola just after graduating with my bachelor’s degree. I attended a job fair hosted at the Pensacola offices, and the job description piqued my interest.
Q: What do you like most about your specific department and/or role?
A: As a researcher, my day-to-day duties often feel like a treasure hunt. When searching for that perfect expert, finding someone who checks all the boxes is like discovering where “X” marks the treasure. The more specialized the inquiry, the more rewarding it is to find the perfect fit. I also enjoy constantly working in new industries and subject matters. I am always learning about many subjects as new cases come in.
Q: What internal accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I have had the opportunity to participate in many high-profile cases during my time with IMS for several AmLaw 100 firms. Some of the most memorable accomplishments include placing experts on the Theranos litigation, a high-value case involving Sikorsky Helicopters, and a patent infringement matter between Textron and DJI (two of the largest drone manufacturers) concerning a technology crucial to their UAV product lines. It is always satisfying to play a small role in such high-stakes disputes.
Q: Are there any stories/memories you would like to share?
A: In late 2021, I took a case with an incredibly tight timeline. I was asked to source a Russian notary living in the US in three business days. The expert needed to be able to opine whether a set of documents would have been notarized in Russia based on their standards. Despite the obvious challenges in this search, we were able to refer counsel to the perfect expert in only two days.
Q: What do you think sets IMS apart from competitors or other companies?
A: We are best equipped for customized expert witness sourcing because of the diverse tools and procedures we use in every case. We have fine-tuned our process to ensure that, from the ground up, we are setting our clients up for success. We are so confident that we will provide the best possible experts that we do not ask for any up-front fee. Our business depends on our clients’ success.
Q: How do the IMS core values align with your own?
A: One of IMS’ core values is “Operate as One.” I find that, when working on sensitive matters, communication is of the utmost importance. Clear communication is paramount for the IMS team to meet our clients’ needs.
Q: If you were an attorney-client (or an expert witness), what would you find most valuable about the process at IMS?
A: For me, it always comes back to our business model. At no up-front cost to the end client, we will source the most qualified experts in the market. For consulting experts, having a relationship with IMS connects you with opportunities from many of the most prominent litigators in the country and worldwide.
Q: Do you have any predictions or comments on industry trends?
A: Since the beginning of 2023, I have been assigned to the artificial intelligence practice at IMS. We are starting to see AI litigation trickle in, and it will continue to grow as an area of need for experts in the coming years.
Q: What has been your favorite case to work on so far?
A: I am partial to unusual cases. The most interesting case that has hit my desk involved the construction of a doomsday shelter built improperly. This attorney-client needed an expert in the field of underground bunker design and safety. I cannot say I have taken a case quite like it since.
Deborah Vanicek, Medical Expert Advocate
Q: How/why did you get into this industry?
A: I have degrees in English and education and a background in music. As my family has grown and moved around, I have worked as an English teacher, a technical writer and editor, and an administrator. For the last 10 years, I ran my own business as a voice and piano teacher and did freelance editing on the side. I encountered this opportunity through freelance editing.
Q: What do you like most about your specific department and/or role?
A: I love our team. Meetings are productive, professional, and often full of laughs. Everyone is supportive of each other and ready to jump in to help wherever needed. I personally enjoy learning about our medical experts and crafting summaries of expertise to help them shine for our attorney clients.
Q: What internal accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Within the Expert Witness team, my skills as a critical thinker have been welcomed and encouraged from the start. I am pleased that I have problem-solved and created new systems that increase our efficiency and improve communication.
Q: Are there any stories/memories you would like to share?
A: Because I work remotely, the memories that stand out are meeting people in person in the office or at company events. It is so gratifying to finally talk face-to-face with someone you have worked with online. And you get to see how tall they are!
Q: What do you think sets IMS apart from competitors or other companies?
A: My experience is that IMS employees are client-centered and motivated to perform at the highest level. The culture supports collaboration and innovation and encourages going above and beyond for our clients and experts.
Q: How do the IMS core values align with your own?
A: “Honor the Relationship” especially resonates with me. I have a people-first approach and am always seeking harmony in relationships. I really believe we are stronger together.
Q: If you were an attorney-client (or an expert witness), what would you find most valuable about the process at IMS?
A: The expert recruitment team gives personal attention to every expert, from the first meeting through onboarding and the duration of their time on a panel. As an expert witness, I would find that continued relationship with a team dedicated to my success quite valuable.
Q: What has been your favorite case to work on so far?
A: I do not work on particular cases, but I have really enjoyed my interactions with our medical experts in recruitment. We truly have some exceptionally qualified experts, and it is gratifying to build relationships with them.
Learn More
Thank you to Ben and Deborah for their dedication to our team and the clients and experts we support. Together, we win.
Visit the links below to meet the IMS team and read more about our culture and career opportunities.