AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Dr. Sheard’s expert witness work focuses on complex mechanical and aerodynamic systems, including:

  • Industrial and commercial fans (axial, centrifugal, mixed-flow, jet)

  • Rotating machinery and turbomachinery

  • Product failure and root-cause analysis

  • Design defect and specification compliance

  • Vibration, fatigue, stall, and resonance

  • Large-scale ventilation systems 

  • Noise, aeroacoustics, and regulatory compliance

  • Patent infringement, invalidity, and false advertising 

LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Early case merit and technical viability assessment
  • Independent engineering analysis
  • Expert and rebuttal reports
  • Deposition preparation and testimony
  • Trial and arbitration testimony
  • Consulting or testifying expert engagements

EXPERT WITNESS RESOURCES

Full Curriculum Vitae – Education, credentials, leadership roles, and professional affiliations
Publications – Peer-reviewed papers, books, and technical contributions
Expert Witness Case Summary – Representative matters across product failure, performance, and intellectual property disputes

Industry-Leading Expertise in Industrial & Commercial Fans

Dr. Geoff Sheard is an independent mechanical engineering expert witness with more than 40 years of experience in the design, analysis, and failure investigation of industrial fan systems, rotating machinery, and large-scale ventilation equipment.

His expert witness work supports counsel in litigation, arbitration, PTAB/IPR proceedings, and regulatory matters involving product failure, performance disputes, design defects, and intellectual property. Engagements are grounded in engineering standards, first-principles analysis, and objective technical evaluation.

Credentials & Authority

Dr. Sheard’s qualifications combine exceptional academic depth with extensive industry and expert witness experience:

  • Doctor of Science (DSc) – Aston University
    (Highest doctoral qualification, awarded for a sustained body of original research)

  • DPhil (PhD) – University of Oxford (Rolls-Royce CASE Award)

  • Additional PhD, MBA, and engineering degrees

  • Extraordinary Ability (EB-1 / E11) classification (United States)

  • Fellow of leading professional institutions including ASME, IMechE, RAeS, and CIBSE

  • Former President and Chair of the Board, Air Movement & Control Association (AMCA)

 

 

Representative Matters

Dr. Sheard has served as a technical expert for both claimants and respondents in matters including:

Intellectual Property & Commercial Disputes

  • Patent infringement and damages matters
  • Patent invalidity and PTAB/IPR proceedings
  • False advertising and technical misrepresentation

Product Failure & Performance Disputes

  • Industrial fan and ventilation system failures
  • As-built vs as-specified performance disputes
  • Commissioning failures and operational shutdowns
  • Noise, vibration, fatigue, corrosion, and resonance-related claims

Personal Injury

  • Industrial equipment injury matters involving rotating machinery and fans

Case experience spans trial, arbitration, administrative proceedings, and pre-litigation resolution.