Shawn E. Johnson

Shawn E. Johnson, C.E.I. – Managing Director | Forensic Elevator & Vertical Transportation Expert

JurisPro® Expert Witness Directory

Shawn brings 44 years of experience in the elevator and vertical transportation industry, with extensive expertise in elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and related vertical transportation systems. His career spans field service, mechanics, adjusting, supervision, management, modernization, consulting, forensic investigation, and expert witness services.

As Managing Director of DeepWater VT, Shawn leads forensic investigations involving elevator and escalator incidents and failures. His work includes detailed technical investigations for litigation, insurance claims, and regulatory review, as well as expert reports, depositions, courtroom testimony, equipment inspections, failure analysis, code interpretation, and technical assessments.

Shawn provides independent technical expertise to attorneys, insurers, property owners, and other clients involved in disputes concerning vertical transportation systems. He evaluates equipment failures, maintenance practices, system design, safety-code compliance, modernization requirements, and other technical issues relevant to litigation and risk management.

His professional experience includes senior forensic management with VDA Inc., regional management with VTX, forensic consulting with Robson Forensic, management with BOCA Group, modernization management with KONE, and more than 20 years with Schindler/Westinghouse Schindler in progressively responsible field and management positions.

Credentials & Professional Expertise

Shawn is a Certified Elevator Inspector (C.E.I.) and holds elevator inspector licenses in Alabama, Florida, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. He is also certified as an Elevator Inspector under ASME A17.1 Q.E.I.-1, Certificate No. C-3904, and is a Certified Elevator Mechanic through the National Elevator Industry Education Program. His professional memberships include the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESA) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Shawn’s areas of forensic expertise include elevator and escalator injuries, equipment failures, door and gate systems, safety devices, controllers, brakes, governors, traction systems, hydraulic equipment, machines, drives, construction practices, OSHA requirements, ADA requirements, national and local codes, lockout/tagout procedures, fall protection, and other safety-related systems and practices.

Expert Witness Experience

Shawn has provided expert testimony by deposition and trial in cases across the United States. His documented testimony history begins in 2014 and continues through 2025 involving elevator manufacturers, property owners, hotels, transportation authorities, municipalities, contractors, building management companies, and other parties.

His testimony experience includes cases involving elevator and escalator incidents, alleged equipment failures, maintenance issues, personal injury claims, code compliance, and other vertical transportation matters.