Events

How to be an Effective Witness

NARUC Professional Development
Track: Legal

Sept. 22, 23, 24, 2026, 2-4 PM Eastern

This course covers the essentials of being a witness in an administrative proceeding, including preparing written and oral testimony, taking the witness stand, and responding to both direct and cross-examination. The course reviews the institutional context of administrative agencies and the way in which they address their key goal — the promotion of the public interest — through witness testimony. The course provides guidelines for writing sound and persuasive testimony and insights to the way in which commissioners, judges, and other "finders of fact" review and evaluate testimony.

Fees:
NARUC State, Associate, and Federal Members: $265
Other State, Federal Government, and International Agencies / NASUCA Members / Academia: $465
All Others: $665

Register

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, students will understand:

  • How to participate in an administrative or legal proceeding;
  • How to take the witness stand and prepare and give oral testimony;
  • How utility commissioners, administrative law judges, and other “finders of fact” review and evaluate testimony;

Course Outline

Day 1:  Institutional Context

  • Administrative law, administrative agencies and administrative law judges—and the public interest
  • The litigation and hearing process – what is it and how do witnesses fit in?
  • The role of agency staff and opposing witnesses.

Day 2:  Written (Pre-filed) Testimony and Taking the Witness Stand

  • Writing sound and persuasive testimony (direct and rebuttal)
  • Overview/layout of court room; participants in/parties to proceeding
  • VI. Decorum in the hearing room
  • VII. Taking the stand

Day 3:  How to Be Effective on the Witness Stand

  • Four key habits of an effective witness
  • Characteristics of a “credible” witness—TUBA
  • Techniques for controlling cross examination and answering questions
  • Physical aspects of communication
  • Use of exhibits and visual aids

Instructors

Andrew Giles Fay, Of Counsel, Greenberg Traurig’s Tallahassee office.

A former chairman (2022–2024) and commissioner (2018–2026) of the Florida Public Service Commission, Andrew brings deep experience in utility regulation, energy policy, and government decision-making at the intersection of law, finance, and technology. He focuses on the regulatory implications that emerging technologies have on critical infrastructure, including the use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity compliance.

August Ankum, PhD, Senior VP, Emeritus, QSI (an Aperture Company)

Dr. Ankum has provided testimony before state and federal regulatory authorities, arbitration panels, and the Federal Communications Commission, as well as state legislature and courts of varying jurisdiction. He has provided witness training to state commissions, legislators, and business leaders for more than 20 years. Ankum has a PhD in Economics from the University of Texas.

Warren Fischer, Senior VP, QSI

Mr. Fischer has testified before regulatory authorities, and courts of varying jurisdiction in over 60 proceedings. He has taught witness skills for more than 20 years. Fischer is a CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant. He has a BS in Accounting from the University of Colorado.

James Webber, Senior VP, QSI

Mr. Webber has testified before state regulatory authorities, state legislative bodies, arbitration panels, mediators, the Federal Communications Commission, and courts of varying jurisdiction. He has been teaching state regulators, staff, and others who participate in regulatory and court proceedings for more than 20 years. Before joining QSI, Webber held key management roles at AT&T, ATX/CoreComm, and the Illinois Commerce Commission. Webber is a Senior VP with QSI. He has a Master’s degree in Economics from Illinois State University.