Confirmed Attorney Coaching Prior to Neuropsychological Evaluation

Abstract

Even though it has been speculated that attorneys might educate or "coach" their clients prior to forensic neuropsychological examinations, there have been no documented instances of this to date. It might be particularly tempting for attorneys to coach their clients on symptom validity scales. A case in which it was strongly suspected that attorney coaching had occurred is presented. The attorney representing the patient actually admitted to an administrative law judge that he had educated his client prior to examination. Strategies for reducing the effectiveness of attorney coaching, thereby increasing the validity of neuropsychological test results, are suggested.