Eric Heinz serves as an expert witness in medical device litigation, including product liability, intellectual property disputes, and commercial litigation involving complex medical technologies. His experience spans surgical robotics, navigation systems, orthopedic devices, and capital equipment.
Medical Device Expert Witness
Independent expert analysis in regulated medical technology, product development, and transaction-related disputes.
Qualifications at a Glance
Experience: 20+ years in regulated medical technology across product development, commercialization, corporate development, and governance
Expert Witness Matters: Engaged on 5 matters to date, spanning product liability, intellectual property, trademark infringement, M&A transaction disputes, and unfair competition
Device Expertise: Surgical robotics, surgical navigation systems, orthopedic devices, and capital equipment
Education: BS in Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Executive MBA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University; Stanford Biodesign Graduate Certificate; Registered Patent Agent
Expert Witness Training: SEAK, Inc. — formal training in deposition and trial preparedness, expert witness responsibilities, testimony structure, and cross-examination dynamics
Director Education: Private Directors Association — private-company governance
Academic Roles: Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Entrepreneur in Residence, Northwestern University; Entrepreneur in Residence, The University of Memphis
Industry Recognition: Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40; published in Orthopedic Design & Technology; invited panelist at AdvaMed, LSI, and MedTech Innovator
Engagement Approach: Independent, conflict-aware, and not exclusive to plaintiffs or defendants
Typical Matters
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Medical device product liability
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Transaction and business development disputes
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IP and trade secret related matters involving medical device development
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Technical business disputes, such as co-development or build to buy
Testimonials:
“Eric brought exceptional clarity and technical depth to a complex medical device matter. He quickly distilled highly technical concepts into clear, persuasive insights that were easy to communicate in a legal setting.
What stood out most was Eric’s responsiveness and ability to dive deep into the technical elements of the case. His analysis was thorough, well-supported, and delivered with a level of professionalism that made him a trusted extension of our legal team.
I would not hesitate to work with Eric again on future matters involving medical technology.”
Strong Law, PC
“Eric Heinz provided exceptional expert support in a trademark infringement and commercial dispute involving complex medical technology. He quickly developed a deep understanding of the products, competitive landscape, and the underlying business dynamics at issue.
What sets Eric apart is his ability to connect technical product details with real-world commercial implications. His analysis was thoughtful, well-supported, and highly relevant to the legal questions at hand.
Eric was responsive, professional, and easy to work with throughout the engagement. I would strongly recommend him as an expert witness in matters involving medical devices, intellectual property, and commercial disputes.”
DLA Piper
Why Counsel Engage Heinz Ventures
What an expert with broad and deep operating experience brings:
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Ability to identify patterns, gaps in the evidence, and the business situation underlying the dispute
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Clear communication of highly technical concepts
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Calm approach to cross-examination and public speaking, built over years of executive presentations
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Credibility built with lived experiences across a wide range of businesses and crisis situations, demonstrated portfolio of academic and industry ecosystem contributions as an industry expert
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Conflict-aware, independent engagement approach
Litigation & Discovery Support
Consulting Expert
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Technical and industry analysis
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Record review and critique
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Failure mode and risk assessment
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Discovery strategy support, including technical issue identification
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Assistance with interrogatory development and document request framing
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Participation in on-site inspections and technical evaluations, in coordination with counsel
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Rebuttal analysis and expert support
Testifying Expert
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Written expert reports
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Rebuttal analysis, where appropriate
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Technical demonstratives support
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Deposition and trial preparation support
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Cross-examination preparation
What I Do
Professional Limitations
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Provide independent technical and industry analysis
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Translate complex technical matters into clear opinions
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Support discovery planning and issue framing with counsel
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Prepare reports and testimony support, as applicable
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Do not provide legal opinions or interpret law
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Do not provide medical opinions or clinical judgements (I am not a physician)
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Do not serve exclusively for plaintiffs or defendants
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Do not opine beyond my technical and industry expertise
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Do not engage without completing a conflict review
Areas of Expertise
Areas of expertise include medical device product liability, transaction and warranty disputes, unfair competition, trademark-related disputes, and intellectual property matters involving regulated medical technology.
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Surgical navigation and robotic systems
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Medical device design controls and development practices
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Risk management and failure analysis
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FDA regulatory frameworks and quality systems
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Intellectual property and trade secret disputes
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Unfair competition and misappropriation matters (technical and industry practices)
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Trademark infringement matters
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Transaction disputes, including diligence, representations, and earn-out related technical issues
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Product liability matters involving medical device design, warnings, and use-related risk
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Commercialization, standard-of-care, and market practice analysis
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Warranty-related disputes involving medical device performance, quality system, and field reliability
Representative Experience
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Surgical navigation accuracy dispute (confidential)
Analyzed device design, technical history record, and use-related issues, conducted in-person inspection of technology with opposing counsel and experts; authored expert report.
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Licensing dispute related to acquisition process (confidential)
Assessed technical and transaction related-issues; supported strategic analysis with counsel.
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Unfair competition and trademark infringement dispute (confidential)
Assessed evidence produced during discovery, identified additional factors to support the opinion; authored expert report submitted to the court
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Surgical robotics product liability dispute (confidential)
Analyzed device design, technical history record, and use-related issues; provided expert opinion that supported a settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of medical device cases does Eric Heinz handle as an expert witness?
Eric Heinz provides expert witness services in medical device product liability, M&A transaction disputes, intellectual property and trade secret matters, unfair competition, trademark infringement, and technical business disputes such as co-development or build-to-buy arrangements. His device expertise spans surgical robotics, navigation systems, orthopedic devices, and capital equipment.
Does Eric Heinz serve as both a consulting and testifying expert?
Yes. Eric serves as both a consulting expert — providing technical analysis, record review, discovery support, and failure assessment — and a testifying expert, preparing written expert reports, rebuttal analysis, and supporting deposition and trial testimony. He has completed formal training in deposition and trial preparedness through SEAK, Inc.
What qualifies Eric Heinz as a medical device expert witness?
Eric holds a BS in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Graduate Certificate from the Stanford Biodesign program. He is a registered patent agent and has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in regulated medical technology, including leadership roles at Medtronic, Intuitive Surgical, Smith & Nephew, and Titan Medical. He currently serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor with the Grainger College of Engineering at UIUC. He has been engaged on 5 expert witness matters spanning product liability, IP, trademark, M&A disputes, and unfair competition.
What are the professional limitations of Eric Heinz as an expert witness?
Eric does not provide legal opinions or interpret law, does not provide medical opinions or clinical judgments (he is not a physician), does not serve exclusively for plaintiffs or defendants, does not opine beyond his technical and industry expertise, and does not engage without completing a conflict review.
What is the engagement process for expert witness services?
The process begins with an initial inquiry and conflict review, followed by scope definition and engagement terms, formal written engagement, record review and technical analysis, expert report preparation, and deposition and trial support as applicable.