Biographies
Michael A. Robbins
Education
Mr. Robbins is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of San Diego State University where, in 1975, he obtained his A.B. degree in History (Minors in Spanish and Political Science) with Highest Honors. He was also Valedictorian—first in a graduating class of over 5,000. In 1978, Mr. Robbins obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the U.C.L.A School of Law.
Extti was founded by Michael A. Robbins--a well-known Labor and Employment Law Attorney
While at U.C.L.A., Mr. Robbins worked for the U.C.L.A. Institute of Industrial Relations and was a Judicial Extern for the California Courts of Appeal.
Initial Training
Mr. Robbins received his initial training with the Federal Government, at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)-- first working as a Summer Intern, and then as a Field Attorney. He then worked as a Senior Attorney (Labor Law) at CBS, Inc. Following CBS, he worked as Director of Labor Relations and Labor Counsel for Golden West Broadcasters/Golden West Television (which then owned a number of radio and television stations as well as the Angels baseball franchise).
Law Firms
In 1982 he joined the International Law Firm of Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz (now, Pepper Hamilton, LLP). Joining as a Senior Associate, in 1986 he was voted into the Partnership. While at Pepper, he twice headed that firm’s West Coast Labor Law Department. During that time, he also taught at Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Industrial Relations.
In 1991, Mr. Robbins joined the Beverly Hills law firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman, LLP as partner in charge of the Labor and Employment Law Department. Recognizing his expertise, in 1995, Mr. Robbins was selected by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of preeminent business attorneys practicing in Los Angeles County. In 1997, he became the firm’s C.E.O and Managing Partner—the youngest in the firm’s forty year history. As Managing Partner, he managed a firm of over sixty attorneys and an equal number of staff. In 1998, after practicing law for 20 years, Mr. Robbins resigned from Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman in order to found Extti, Incorporated.
Recognized Expertise
Over the years, Mr. Robbins has written numerous articles and contributed to a number of books in the area of Labor and Employment law. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker in both the academic and legal communities. As a well-known expert in discrimination, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination, he has often been sought-out by the Press to provide commentary concerning developments in these areas.
For example, he often has been quoted in U.S. News and World Report, The Los Angeles Times, The Daily Journal, Daily Variety, and in many other publications. He also has made a number of appearances on radio and television. He has been interviewed on Public Radio concerning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In 2002, he appeared on NBC and also twice on KCOP Channel 13 discussing various issues relating to sexual harassment in the workplace. In 2006, Mr. Robbins was selected for "Best Lawyers in America Preferred Experts".
At Extti, Mr. Robbins uses the skills and experience built up over two decades of practicing law, to provide the following services: (1) expert witness testimony and consulting in sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, reasonable accommodations and other employment related litigation; (2) training in these same areas; and (3) investigation of claims of harassment, discrimination, and employee misconduct (including "Cotran" investigations).
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Catherine A Balin
Education
Ms. Balin graduated with honors from San Diego State University in 1973, obtaining a B.S. Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Personnel Management. Thereafter, she completed the joint General Management Development Program offered by Harvard University and the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.
Employment History
For the next 29 years, Ms. Balin served in various Human Resources positions. First, she worked at Home Savings & Loan (now Washington Mutual) where she held positions in Employee Relations and in Affirmative Action. After 5 years at Home Savings, she moved to US Administrators, Incorporated, a national health care company. Joining US Administrators as Human Resources Director, she was promoted to National Vice President of Human Resources— a position she held for 6 years.
In 1990, she joined a well-respected Human Resources consulting firm, Bench International, where she eventually became Executive Vice-President. While at Bench, she continued to consult in the health care industry and also developed a particular expertise in the Biotech and pharmaceutical areas. Ms. Balin joined EXTTI, Incorporated in 2002 where she serves as Vice President.
Over the years, Ms. Balin has been called upon to provide numerous seminars on management and Human Resources issues— particularly providing in-house seminars to Executive- level employees. A respected consultant, she has a unique ability to engender trust and confidence. And she is and is known for her skill at “calming” difficult situations.
At Extti, Ms. Balin uses her three decades of Human Resources experience to provide the following services: (1) executive coaching-- including in sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance; (2) training in these same areas; and (3) under Mr. Robbins' direction and supervision, investigation of claims of harassment, discrimination, and employee misconduct (including "Cotran" investigations).
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Scott I. Barer
Former Chief Labor and Employment Attorney for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Scott I. Barer, joined EXTTI in 2005.
Education
Mr. Barer received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies in 1979 from UCLA. In 1989 he obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Marymount University Law School.
Employment History
From 1976 to 1989, Mr. Barer worked in a variety of positions in television news, including as Manager of News Operations for KTLA News.
Then, after receiving his JD degree, he worked as an Associate at Ballard, Rosenberg & Golper practicing labor and employment Law.
In 1991, Mr. Barer joined the Beverly Hills law firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman, LLP as an Associate in the Labor and Employment Law Department. In 1998 he was elected to the partnership of that firm.
After nine years at Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman, Mr. Barer began to concentrate in the public sector-- representing public employers through his work at Richards, Watson & Gershon and then as Chief Labor and Employment Attorney for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Having previously conducted many workplace investigations, while at the LAUSD workplace investigations were conducted by a team under his leadership.
In 2004, Mr. Barer returned to Ballard, Rosenberg & Golper as Senior Counsel. Mr. Barer joined EXTTI in 2005.
Experienced in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Barer brings more than 15 years of expertise to the following areas:
(1) expert witness testimony and consulting in sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination and other employment related litigation; (2) training in these same areas; and (3) investigation of claims of harassment, discrimination, and employee misconduct (including "Cotran" investigations).
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Robert L. Sniderman, Ph.D., SPHR.
Education
In
1976, Dr. Sniderman obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Biology
from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In
1979, he earned his Master of Science from California State
University, Los Angeles, in Rehabilitation Counseling. Dr.
Sniderman obtained his Doctorate in Organizational
Psychology from the California School of Professional
Psychology, Los Angeles, in 1992.
Certifications
Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) December
1997
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC) - April, 1980, #13074
Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) -
September,1984 - #0667
Certified Case Manager, (CCM) - #18060
Employment History
Dr. Sniderman has a long career in the Human Resources and
vocational rehabilitation fields. From 1992 to the present, he
has been the President and owner of various consulting firms.
And for several years he was Vice President of Operations and
Human Resources Director for The Kalix Group. In the early
1990's, Dr. Sniderman was an Internal Organizational Development
Consultant for Carter, Hawley, Hale, Inc. For over 15 years, he
has been a part time Assistant Professor at National University
in Los Angeles.
At EXTTI Dr. Sniderman is
available to work as an expert witness on investigation,
accommodation and other Human Resource Issues; to conduct
workplace investigations (under Mr. Robbins' direction and
supervision), and to conduct harassment and discrimination
awareness training.
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Robert Sniderman
Samantha Blake
Samantha Blake joined EXTTI in 2007 after
six years with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Education
In 1987, Ms. Blake earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (with Honors), and Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. While at the University of Washington, Ms. Blake was selected to participate in the Arts and Sciences Honors Program, was named to the Dean’s List, and was a member and officer of the Golden Key National Honor Society. Ms. Blake received her Juris Doctor degree in 1993 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California.
Employment History
Ms. Blake has thirteen years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Before joining the EEOC in 2001, she was a general business litigator in the private sector, first as an associate with Kehr, Schiff & Crane, LLP and later as a senior litigation associate with
Crowe & Rogan LLP.
While with the EEOC, Ms. Blake worked as a Trial Attorney; adjudicated disputes as an Administrative Judge; supervised and managed EEOC investigators and staff as an EEOC Enforcement Supervisor; and (as State and Local Coordinator) provided oversight to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission.
At the EEOC, Ms. Blake frequently provided outreach and training to various groups, large and small, including public and private employers, human resources and management professionals, law enforcement, attorneys, and employee advocacy groups. She has been quoted in publications throughout the country.
Ms. Blake brings her 15 years of experience to the following areas:
(1) expert witness testimony and consulting in sexual harassment and discrimination litigation; (2) training in these same areas; and (3) investigation of claims of harassment, discrimination, and employee misconduct (including "Cotran" investigations).
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