Expert Testimony
Since Extti's founding (more than
10 years ago), Michael A. Robbins, has worked on well over
300 employment cases as an expert witness and consultant. His work is divided between work for plaintiffs and for defendants. Previously, having practiced labor and employment law for 20 years, Mr. Robbins has extensive credentials in this area. These credentials, combined with a persuasive, authoritative style, result in an impressive presentation before judges and juries as well as before mediators and arbitrators. In 2006, Mr. Robbins was selected for "Best Lawyers in America Preferred Experts".
In
EEOC v. Scolari Warehouse Stores, 488 F. Supp. 2d 1117 (D.
N.V. 2007)— The Federal District Court relied on Mr. Robbins'
testimony as an expert witness on investigation issues in its
decision to deny Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment
stating: "[T]his Court finds particularly instructive the
expert, Michael Robbins' report." Mr. Robbins' background and
experience lead the Court to view Mr. Robbins as a "reputable
source of expert testimony."
Catherine A. Balin and Scott I. Barer also have conducted and guided hundreds of investigations. Ms. Balin has not only done so during her time at Extti, but also throughout her more than 20 years as a Human Resource Professional.
Mr. Barer conducted workplace investigations throughout his 15 years as a Labor and Employment Attorney. In addition, he served as Chief Labor and Employment Counsel for the Los Angeles School District (LAUSD) where he supervised the District's internal investigation process. Thus, he has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors.
Testimony Concerning Investigations
All Extti professionals are qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of a company's investigation, the reasonableness of their conclusions and about the propriety of the company’s response.
Such expert testimony is not only crucial in harassment and discrimination lawsuits, but (as a result of the California Supreme Court's decision in Cotran v. Rollins Hudig Hall International, Inc. has become fundamental in lawsuits claiming employee misconduct.
For a paper
relating to expert testimony on failure to prevent (including on
workplace investigations) please contact Michael Robbins at
mrobbins@extti.com
Testimony Concerning Company Policies
Mr. Robbins and Mr. Barer have assisted hundreds of companies (both large and small) with their labor and employment problems. Both have drafted, reviewed, and/or revised hundreds of employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies-- including policies relating to discrimination and harassment. And, as a Human Resource Professional it was up to Ms. Balin to insure that such polices were followed.
All three are qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of a company’s harassment and discrimination policies and about whether the company took reasonable steps to prevent discrimination and harassment from occurring in the workplace. And, they are quite experienced with reasonable accommodation issues.
Testimony
on Reasonable Accommodations and the Interactive Process
All Extti professionals are qualified to testify about
the interactive process in disability cases as well as about
reasonable accommodations.
For a
published article relating to expert testimony in disability
cases, please contact Michael Robbins at
mrobbins@extti.com
Testimony Concerning Training Programs
All Extti professionals are qualified to testify are well-qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of a company’s harassment and discrimination training programs-- and on the need for such programs. Having conducted countless seminars and training sessions on discrimination and harassment, all three can testify, from personal experience, as to when a training program has been done "right" and when it is "wrong".
Testimony on Human Resource Issues
Ms. Balin was a "hands-on" Human Resource professional for over 20 years. This included 8 years as Vice President of Human Resources for a National Health Care company where she was responsible for the management of a fully-integrated human resource function. Thus, she is eminently qualified to testify on a variety of Human Resource issues.
Testimony on other issues
Extti professionals have testified on many other human resource and employment issues including those relating to Wage and Hour issues,
just cause and attorney malpractice.
Cases frequently are won (or lost) based upon the quality of the expert witness testimony which has been presented. The expertise, qualifications and presentation skills of the professionals at Extti are second to none.
