Dr. Lucas A Klein, Ph.D.
San Diego, CA 92127
Office: 760-889-0118
-Reliable Expert Witness Psychologist, Licensed and Available in California, Oregon, New York, Connecticut
-Expert in psychological testing
-Articulate, straightforward, diligent. I have a unique combination of being a clinical psychologist with an expertise in psychological testing as well as being an Adult Psychoanalyst, which is an extremely rare and extensive post licensure clinical certification. This combination allows me to provide scientifically informed reports utilizing the most valid and reliable psychometric testing available and then to be able to explain my positions with an ease that comes from my training and experience as a psychoanalyst. Whereas many clinicians have only a handful of classes instructing them on treatment, psychoanalysts undergo 5 years of intense post-Ph.D. education, with thousands of hours of guidance. I believe you will notice the difference in my testimony and general presentation.
I am available in order to evaluate evidence to support or challenge claims of damages and injury. I am fully equipped to provide malingering assessments and full psychological assessments.
Types of cases and work I have been involved with as an expert witness/contracted psychologist:
-Sexual Abuse: retained as an evaluating psychologist and expert witness for civil lawsuits and settlements. Clergy and school district sexual abuse cases.
-PTSD & Psychological Damages: retained in civil cases for psychological injuries related to motor vehicle accidents and other serious injuries.
-Criminal: as a contractor to the Superior Court of CA, I have testified on cases involving potentially dangerous individuals. I have also furnished the court with nearly 30 juvenile assessments ranging from competency to stand trial and general diagnostic.
-Correctional: I was a member of the CA Dept. of Corrections Assessment Unit. Assessments regarding the psychological impact of mental illness on the commission of crimes during incarceration.
-Contractor to the Federal Government: I have been designated as a psychologist assessor for the effects of service related disability for multiple war theaters.
-I have extensive private practice assessment experience: hundreds of private assessments regarding personality profiling, cognitive assessments, and treatment planning.
-If you would like to speak with me about working together I am happy to hold a courtesy phone call or meeting where we can discuss working dynamics. My first priority is developing clarity as to whether I am a good fit for your case. If I think I can be, I will detail specifically what I can provide. If I think a colleague would be better situated to handle the matter, I will provide such a referral.
-Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
-BA in Psychology, Siena College
-Certified Adult Psychoanalyst, 5 year post licensure training. San Diego Psychoanalytic Center.
-Forensic Psychology, Criminal and Civil
-Former Assessment Psychologist for the Dept. of Corrections, California
-Published Author in psychiatric research, psychological testing, public health.
-Private practice for 15 years.
- Emotional Trauma
- Forensic Psychology
- Malingering
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychology
- Sexual Abuse
- Stress
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, CSPP 2012.
Independent License, 2012
Licensed in CA, NY, CT, OR. Willing to travel for cases in these states. - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Clinical Psychologist, APA approved program (CSPP), 2011
Adult Psychoanalyst, 2020, American Psychoanalytic Association - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Assessment Team, California Dept of Corrections 2013-2015
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: no
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Civil litigation: 13 (CA, NY cases)
Superior Court of California for Juvenile Forensics: 20-30
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Civil: Psychological damages
Criminal: Juvenile competency, diagnostic and advisement to the court, threat assessment
Federal contracting: war related trauma - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Civil: 100%
Criminal: retained as an advisor of the court - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: As of yet, not directly retained by defendant's representation
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 3
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2017
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 2
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 2
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Combined 6 years. 2013-2018 Actively. During 2020-23 hiatus. Active presently
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting on cases, testing, reports. I can provide stand alone reports or supplemental reports for your expert.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $450. Initial phone calls or meetings are free of charge. I hold these meetings in order to make sure our expectations are aligned.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $350
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $450
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $450
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Local travel in San Diego is charged at $250/hr or a percentage thereof. Interstate travel is charged on as a whole fee. Generally I ask that my lodging and travel are paid, and then a rate of $1700 per day while I am in transit if I have to cancel an entire day of my caseload
Available Upon Request