Decision underscores how credible technical expertise shapes high-stakes legal outcomes
In a ruling issued yesterday, a Texas federal court recognized the pivotal role of Dr. Mahdi Eslamimehr, a senior computer scientist at Quandary Peak Research, whose expert witness testimony was central in a multimillion-dollar software contract dispute.
In PCS Software, Inc. v. Dispatch Services, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that Dispatch Services materially breached its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Agreement with PCS Software, awarding PCS over $1.43 million in damages.
At the heart of the case was a dispute over the meaning of “initial use” in SaaS agreements. Dispatch argued that it never owed subscription fees because it never successfully “went live” with the software. PCS contended that subscription fees were triggered when Dispatch began using the software during implementation.
The court credited the testimony of Dr. Eslamimehr, Executive Vice President at Quandary Peak Research and adjunct professor of computer science at the University of Southern California, in resolving the issue. Dr. Eslamimehr explained that in industry practice, “initial use” occurs during implementation, configuration, training, and testing—well before “go-live.” He testified that Dispatch’s activities—including logging in, migrating data, training users, and testing with dummy and historical loads—constituted “initial use” under the contract.
Judge Lee H. Rosenthal wrote that Dr. Eslamimehr’s testimony was “credible and reliable,” emphasizing his extensive background leading large SaaS engineering teams and advising on deployments worldwide. The court contrasted his expertise with that of the opposing expert, whose assumptions about outdated software models were deemed inapplicable.
“Dr. Eslamimehr’s analysis clarified a central contractual dispute and provided the court with the necessary industry perspective,” said Dr. George Edwards, Principal Computer Scientist at Quandary Peak Research. “This decision demonstrates the vital role that software experts play in bridging the gap between technical realities and legal obligations.”
The court ultimately agreed with Dr. Eslamimehr’s interpretation, holding that Dispatch had triggered its subscription payment obligations in June 2022 when its first user logged into PCS’s system. By failing to pay subsequent fees, Dispatch breached the contract, entitling PCS to recover the full measure of damages.
The Court also described Dr. Eslamimehr’s technical background and noted he “epitomizes the brilliant software innovators” in the field, underscoring the weight given to his testimony in resolving the dispute.
This ruling illustrates how credible expert testimony can shape the outcome of complex technology disputes. A persuasive expert is often distinguished by:
- Hands-on industry experience leading large-scale projects or deployments, not just academic knowledge.
- Active engagement with cutting-edge technologies and standards, ensuring opinions reflect current realities.
- Proven communication skills to clearly explain technical concepts in legal settings.
- Recognized leadership and scholarship, such as teaching roles, published research, or speaking engagements.
As software continues to underpin critical business operations, courts will increasingly rely on trusted computer experts like those at Quandary Peak Research to explain complex technical concepts.
The original version of this press release was distributed via PR Newswire.
