New York, NY – [June 18th, 2025] – In a high-profile medical malpractice case that resulted in a $20 million verdict for former professional soccer player Jake Gleeson, Expert Institute provided critical support that helped the plaintiff’s legal team overcome complex liability and damages arguments.

Gleeson, a former MLS goalkeeper, suffered permanent injuries to his right leg following a delayed diagnosis and surgical intervention. The injuries ended his promising career and left him with lasting physical limitations. The plaintiff’s legal team, led by Kafoury & McDougal, turned to Expert Institute for expert strategy and litigation intelligence to strengthen their case from discovery through trial.

Expert Testimony That Stood Out in Court

Expert Institute identified and secured multiple expert witnesses for the plaintiff, including Dr. Joseph Liu, a highly credentialed orthopedic surgeon affiliated with the LA Kings, USC Football, and formerly with the Chicago Bulls. Dr. Liu’s testimony proved decisive at trial.

“He showed up with no notes at trial and completely eviscerated the defendant’s argument that this didn’t fall below the standard of care,” said Gleeson’s attorney, Jason Kafoury. “This was the first time he’d ever testified in a trial—and it was this trial here.”

Expert Intelligence That Turned the Tide

When the defense attempted to downplay Gleeson’s future earnings using testimony from sports agent Patrick McCabe, Expert Institute’s Expert Radar platform delivered a turning point. Within hours, the plaintiff’s team uncovered a 2006 deposition where McCabe had previously testified that an 18-year-old with no professional experience could expect to earn $10–$20 million over a soccer career.

“We said, ‘Isn’t that funny, Mr. McCabe? Twenty years ago you said an 18-year-old who’d never played would have made $20 million, and now you’re saying Jake Gleeson had no career prospects?’ The jury ate it up,” Kafoury said.

The contradiction sharply undercut the defense’s damages argument and bolstered the credibility of the plaintiff’s claims, ultimately contributing to the multimillion-dollar verdict.

A Win for Strategic Litigation Support

“This case is a powerful example of how targeted expert witness strategy and due diligence can directly impact case outcomes,” said Michael Talve, CEO at Expert Institute. “We’re proud to have played a part in helping the legal team achieve justice for Mr. Gleeson.”

Watch the full case video here:
https://www.expertinstitute.com/results/client-testimonials/mls-goalkeeper-wins-usd20m-malpractice-verdict-with-expert-support/

Expert Institute continues to partner with law firms nationwide, offering expert search, litigation intelligence, and medical insights to support high-stakes litigation across all practice areas.

Media Contact:
Michael Morgenstern
SVP, Marketing
Expert Institute
morgenstern@expertinstitute.com
888-858-9511
www.expertinstitute.com