Julie Jansen

Author, Coach, Speaker

Vocational Expert

Vocational Evaluation

Employability and Earning Capacity

Vocational Evaluations, Earning Capacity, and Expert Testimony

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Julie Jansen provides vocational evaluations and expert witness testimony in legal matters where an individual’s ability to work and earn income is in question. Her evaluations are used in divorce and family law cases, child support and maintenance modifications, wrongful termination and employment discrimination claims, and financial fraud matters.

In these cases, Julie conducts an independent vocational assessment to determine a person’s employability and realistic earning capacity. This analysis considers factors such as education, work history, salary history, professional skills, transferable skills, and prior work experience to determine what types of jobs the individual is reasonably qualified to perform.

As part of the evaluation, Julie analyzes the relevant labor market to identify available positions and prevailing compensation levels for those roles. This analysis includes reviewing current job postings, salary data, and employment trends in the individual’s geographic area to determine the types of positions that exist and the compensationgenerally associated with those roles.

Impact on Results

Her evaluations help attorneys and courts understand what an individual could reasonably earn in today’s job market and how long it may take to obtain employment. These findings may be used in settlement negotiations, mediation, or litigation, and Julie is available to provide expert testimony regarding her vocational opinions and labor market analysis.

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A Modern Framework for Earning-Capacity Evaluations

Why Vocational Evaluations Can Be a Game Changer in Divorce Cases

Julie Jansen and Arlene S. Hirsch,
Vocational experts

When divorcing couples disagree about their spouse’s employability and earning capacity, emotions often cloud facts. This is particularly important when one spouse claims an inability to pay support or when a spouse is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

A vocational evaluation introduces clarity. It’s a professional, evidence-based assessment of a spouse’s education, experience, transferable skills, salary history, earnings capacity, and labor market conditions. Courts and attorneys rely on these evaluations to bring objectivity, fairness, and data-driven insight into financial decisions involving spousal or child support.

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Outgrowing VRAM: Modernizing Vocational Evaluations

A Contemporary Approach to Vocational Evaluation in Divorce Cases

Excerpt: Most vocational experts in divorce cases are vocational rehabilitation counselors and consultants who use the Vocational & Rehabilitation Assessment Model (VRAM) to conduct vocational evaluations. However, a more contemporary, strengths-based model is often a better approach in divorce cases where the primary issue is the employability and earning capacity of unemployed or underemployed spouses...

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Vocational Expert FAQs

What is a vocational expert?

A vocational expert is an employment specialist who evaluates an individual’s employability and earning capacity within the current labor market. Vocational experts are often retained in legal matters to provide an objective, evidence-based opinion regarding a person’s ability to work and the income they can reasonably earn.

A vocational evaluation examines multiple factors that affect employability, including:

  • Work history and career progression
  • Salary and compensation history
  • Education, credentials, and professional training
  • Skills, competencies, and transferable skills
  • Medical history and potential work limitations
  • Accommodation needs
  • Ability to work full-time or part-time
  • Job search activity and documented efforts to obtain employment
  • Professional memberships and industry involvement
  • Volunteer or community activities
  • Career interests and vocational goals
  • Resume and professional presentation
  • Online and social media presence
  • Current labor market conditions and job availability

Using these factors, the vocational expert conducts labor market research and salary analysis to determine realistic employment opportunities and earning potential.

Why hire a vocational expert in a legal case?

Vocational experts are frequently retained in divorce, child support and maintenance modification matters, wrongful termination and discrimination claims, and financial fraud cases where a person’s employability or income potential is relevant.

In family law matters, a vocational evaluation assists the court in determining whether a spouse is capable of working, what types of employment are vocationally appropriate, and the income they could reasonably earn in the current labor market. This information can be an important factor in decisions regarding spousal maintenance and child support.

In employment litigation, vocational experts evaluate an individual’s ability to obtain comparable employment following a job loss and assess potential vocational or earnings loss resulting from the alleged employment action.

In financial fraud or economic damages cases, vocational experts may analyze how employment disruption affects future earning capacity and career trajectory.

Courts rely on vocational experts to provide independent, data-supported opinions regarding employability, job availability, and compensation.

What does a vocational evaluation include?

Julie Jansen conducts a comprehensive vocational assessment that combines individual evaluation with labor market research. Her analysis typically includes:

  • Review of education, training, and work history
  • Transferable skills analysis
  • Assessment of employability and vocational options
  • Research of available jobs within the relevant labor market
  • Analysis of compensation ranges and benefits
  • Evaluation of earning capacity based on current market conditions
  • Salary and compensation estimates are derived from multiple reliable labor market sources, including national salary databases, job postings, employer reports, and compensation surveys commonly relied upon in vocational analyses.

The result is a detailed Vocational Evaluation Report presenting Julie’s professional opinion regarding employability and earning capacity.

Can both parties hire vocational experts?

Yes. In many legal matters, each party retains their own vocational expert. Each expert conducts an independent evaluation and prepares a report for review by the attorneys and the court. Vocational experts may also review and respond to another expert’s vocational evaluation, providing a rebuttal analysis when necessary.

When is a rebuttal vocational report used?

A rebuttal vocational report is prepared when one party’s vocational expert has already issued an evaluation, and the opposing party wishes to have that analysis reviewed and evaluated by another expert.
In these situations, Julie reviews the existing vocational report and the materials relied upon by the opposing expert, including labor market research, salary data, and methodology used to reach their conclusions.
The rebuttal analysis may address issues such as:

  • Whether the vocational expert’s methodology is consistent with accepted vocational evaluation practices
  • Whether the labor market research accurately reflects available jobs
  • Whether the salary data sources used are reliable and representative
  • Whether the conclusions regarding employability or earning capacity are supported by the evidence

Following this review, Julie prepares a Rebuttal Vocational Report outlining any areas of agreement, disagreement, or methodological concerns. The report may be used by attorneys during negotiations, mediation, deposition, or trial.

Julie is also available to provide expert testimony regarding her rebuttal findings if the case proceeds to deposition or court.

How does the vocational evaluation process work?

Attorneys typically initiate the process with a consultation to discuss the case and determine whether a vocational evaluation would be appropriate.

Step 1: Retention
Julie provides her fee schedule and curriculum vitae. Upon retention and receipt of a retainer, the evaluation process begins.

Step 2: Information Gathering
The individual being evaluated completes a vocational questionnaire and provides supporting documentation such as:

  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Salary and employment history
  • Job search records (if applicable)
  • Educational records and credentials
  • Relevant legal documents, including deposition transcripts, may also be reviewed.

Step 3: Vocational Interview
Julie conducts a structured interview to evaluate the individual’s background, experience, and employment potential (if appropriate).

Step 4: Labor Market and Compensation Research
Julie researches appropriate occupations, job availability, and compensation within the relevant labor market.

Step 5: Vocational Report
Julie prepares a comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Report outlining her findings and professional opinions regarding employability and earning capacity.

Does Julie provide expert testimony?

Yes. Julie Jansen is available to provide vocational expert testimony at deposition or trial regarding her vocational evaluation and labor market findings. Her testimony explains the methodology used to evaluate employability and earning capacity and how those conclusions relate to the facts of the case.

How to contact Julie

For a consultation regarding a vocational evaluation, call Julie at 203-918-1703 or use this form.