About Us
Dr. Ruffin earned a Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California and a Bachelors and Masters of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. This combination of education and experience make Dr. Ruffin a true scholar-practitioner.
Dr. Ruffin has been honored as a Life Fellow by the American College of Forensic Examiners and holds Diplomat status with the American Board of Law Enforcement Experts. In addition to working as a trial consultant, he is a nationally recognized trainer and speaker on topics ranging from healthcare risk management, advanced investigating techniques, how to catch a liar, advanced interviewing techniques for attorneys, and most recently, a training program called “Patient Today, Plaintiff Tomorrow”. This most recent program targets specific breakdowns in communication, due to technology and other factors, that lead to our inability to build successful relationships.
Serving 21 years and retiring on December 31, 2012, Dr. Ruffin was a Supervisory Special Agent with the United States Department of Justice. Following retirement, Dr. Ruffin served as Director of Litigation for a Florida based Third Party Administrator (TPA) Hamlin and Burton Liability Management.
Dr. Ruffin has been working medical malpractice cases part time since 2006, when he was first hired to prepare a physician to testify at trial. Having worked in the criminal arena all of his career, he enjoyed the civil side and decided to focus on medical malpractice upon retirement.
During his career, Dr. Ruffin served two tours in Washington, DC, where he served first as a Program Manager over the Interview and Interrogation Program, and second, as Deputy Chief, Career Development Division. It was during these times that Dr. Ruffin became a nationally and internationally recognized expert in interviewing techniques, deception, verbal and non-verbal behaviors, and effective communication skills.
These skills are now being used to assist risk managers, claims managers, and defense counsel, with investigative case analysis, deposition review for stress and deception, focus groups, witness preparation, and trial monitoring.
Dr. Ruffin provides Continuing Education (CE) to Risk Managers and Insurance Producers, and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to attorneys. Dr. Ruffin speaks at national conventions and state conferences on topics such as How to Catch a Liar, Advanced Rapport Building Skills, Advanced Interviewing Techniques, and Effective Communication Skills for Healthcare Workers.
Dr. Ruffin lives in Texas with his wife Angie, and two kids, Sunni and Buddy.