The Judge and The Historian

Ramses Delafontaine

Historians as Expert Witnesses Ramses Delafontaine

Gregg Michel

Gregg Michel

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Gregg Michel, Associate Professor of History, received a B.A. from the University of Chicago and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Michel’s scholarly work focuses on movements for social change in post-World War II America, particularly in the 1960s South. He has published several articles and delivered numerous papers on this topic. His book, Struggle for a Better South: The Southern Student Organizing Committee, 1964-1969, examines the turbulent history of the bending progressive white student organizations in the 1960s South.

Gregg Michel has been active in eleven tobacco-related cases, always for the defence. He has been almost solely involved in Engle Progeny cases. In a deposition pertaining to Engle Progeny cases Michel acknowledged he had made over $180,000 with tobacco related litigation work. Michel disclosed he made $200 an hour. He, furthermore, confirmed that his work for the tobacco industry currently made up for over half of his total income.[1] In 2010 in Webb v. R.J. Reynolds Michel was again deposed on the compensations he received for his tobacco-related work. His hourly rate was still $200 an hour. In addition, he stated he had made over $220,000 with his litigation-driven research for the tobacco industry.[2] Two years later Michel declared during cross-examination that he charged $225 an hour for his services as an expert witness.[3]

 

[1] See deposition of Gregg Michel, In Re: Engle Progeny Cases. Westlaw reference: 2010 WL 6511222.

[2] See deposition of Gregg Michel, October 15, 2010, Webb v. R.J. Reynolds. Westlaw reference: 2010 WL 6546731.

[3] See cross-examination of Gregg Michel, May 17, 2012, Walker v. R.J. Reynolds. Westlaw reference: 2012 WL 9510404.