Expert Testimony

Since EXTTI’s founding (almost 25 years ago), Michael A. Robbins has worked on more than 700 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, plus taught Human Resources, 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, stating: “[T]his Court finds particularly instructive the expert, Michael Robbins’ report.” Mr. Robbins’ background and experience “leads this 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 30 years as a Human Resource Professional. Based on this human resource experience, Ms. Balin is well-qualified to testify about workplace investigations, as well as other human resource issues.

Mr. Barer conducted workplace investigations throughout his many years as a Labor and Employment Attorney. In addition, he served as Chief Labor and Employment Counsel for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where he supervised the District’s internal investigation process. Thus, he has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors.

Bob Sniderman has many years of human resource experience. He regularly has  conducted workplace investigations in both the public and private sectors. In addition, he is a hands-on expert on the interactive process – assisting employers in their attempts to accommodate employees with disabilities. He has testified extensively both on workplace investigation issues and also on interactive process/accommodation issues.

While at the EEOC, Samantha Blake monitored state FEP agencies’ (“deferral agencies”) efforts to investigate harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaints filed with those agencies. Since joining EXTTI, she has conducted many investigations in a variety of industries.

All of these  professionals at  EXTTI are uniquely qualified to present expert testimony in employment litigation matters.

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Copyright Vicki Ellen Behringer 2015  Courtroomartist.com

Michael Robbins testifying for the defense in the widely-publicized case, Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, 2015.

Types of Testimony

EXTTI professionals are qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of an employer’s investigation, the reasonableness of their conclusions and about the propriety of the actions taken in response.

Such expert testimony is not only crucial in harassment,  discrimination and retaliation lawsuits, but has become fundamental in wrongful termination lawsuits involving investigations into employee misconduct.

For a published article relating to expert testimony on workplace investigations, please contact Michael Robbins at mrobbins@extti.com

Mr. Robbins and Mr. Barer have assisted hundreds of employers (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 harassment, discrimination and retaliation. As an in-house Human Resource Professional,  it was up to Ms. Balin to insure that such polices were implemented and followed. As in-house counsel, this was Mr. Klein’s responsibility as well.

All are qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of an employer’s harassment, discrimination and retaliation policies and about whether the employer took reasonable steps to prevent harassment, discrimination and retaliation from occurring in the workplace.

EXTTI professionals are qualified to testify about the interactive process in disability cases, as well as about reasonable accommodations. In addition, as a hands-on expert on the interactive process, Dr. Sniderman can testify concerning the effectiveness of accommodations that were or could have been offered.

For a published article relating to expert testimony in disability cases, please contact Michael Robbins at mrobbins@extti.com

EXTTI professionals are well-qualified to testify concerning the adequacy of an employer’s harassment, discrimination and retaliation training programs – and on the need for such programs. Having conducted countless seminars and training sessions on harassment, discrimination and retaliation, they can testify, from personal experience, as to the effectiveness of such programs – when a training program has been executed and implemented correctly, and when it has not.

Ms. Balin was a hands-on Human Resource Professional for over 20 years. This included many years as Vice President of Human Resources for a national healthcare 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.

Dr. Sniderman has many years of Human Resource experience. Plus, he has particular expertise as to policies and procedures for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Mr. Klein brings more than 30 years of experience as in-house counsel, first at American Express Company, then at BMW of North America. Thus, he brings real-world experience from a unique perspective as in-house counsel.

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.