Same Facts, Different Lens: Plaintiff and Defense Attorney Dialogue on Employment Case Evaluation
What really happens before a case is ever filed—or defended? When a potential employment claim arises, plaintiff and defense attorneys often see two very different cases. In this panel discussion, plaintiff attorney Dan Ross and defense attorney Scott Brutocao compare their real-world approaches to evaluating new matters—from the first intake call to early strategic decisions. They will explore how each side assesses client credibility, evidence, risk, and value—and where their perspectives meet and diverge. The session offers practical insight for employers and practitioners into how cases are screened, framed, and positioned long before litigation begins.
Bio:
Dan Ross is Founder and Partner Emeritus at Ross Scalise Beeler and Pillischer Employment Lawyers. For over thirty years he has represented employees in disputes with their employers. He will speak on all the ways that Austin HR professionals can help him maintain his job security.
Scott Brutocao
Scott Brutocao is a partner at Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton, LLP, where he practices labor and employment law in both Texas and California. He has been defending employers from claims of mean plaintiff’s attorneys like Dan Ross for more than 30 years.
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