What refers to expert witnesses who primarily serve the interests of the hiring party?

The term that refers to expert witnesses who primarily serve the interests of the hiring party is "Hired Guns." This designation highlights the nature of their engagement, where they are contracted specifically to advocate for the position or argument of the party that has employed them. Hired Guns are often perceived as prioritizing the client’s objectives over impartial evaluation or fairness in their testimony.

In the context of legal or ethical discussions, identifying Hired Guns is important because their motivations may lead to biased conclusions or opinions that do not necessarily reflect objective truth. This contrasts with other categories, such as Trusted Advisors, Respected Authorities, and Independent Consultants, who may be expected to maintain a level of neutrality or objectivity in their assessments. Understanding this distinction is crucial in contexts where the integrity of expert testimony can significantly impact outcomes in legal or professional scenarios.