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Whether it’s in pre-suit negotiations or well into litigation, producing a strong expert report in fire cases is crucial to success. We will look at best practices to prepare for and to construct the strongest report possible. From gathering information at the site to following up with witnesses afterwards, we will first examine how the investigation phase plays an important role in collecting the data necessary to eventually write a report. We will then discuss what is necessary from a legal viewpoint and how attorneys can work with experts to address these necessities. Finally, we will discuss craft and style of writing a persuasive report and how that can influence the outcome of a subrogation case.
Meet your presenters, Lian Skaf, Robert Schaal, and Brian Tetro!
Lian Skaf is a partner in the Subrogation Department of White and Williams, LLP and handles major property losses involving fires, water leaks, structural damage, product and construction defects and other catastrophic failures. He has experience both resolving matters prior to filing suit and litigating complex matters. Lian works with his clients to investigate the facts of a loss and develop a strategy for recovery, often from the day of a loss through completion. He has taken several cases through trial and has successfully mediated numerous others. Lian is a certified arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He is also a blogger for The Subrogation Strategist, White and Williams' subrogation blog, and has written articles for the Subrogator Magazine. Prior to joining the firm, Lian served as law clerk to the Honorable Francine Axelrad in the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court.
Robert J. Schaal, IAAI-CFI is a Consultant and Forensic Investigator with Gulf Coast Fire Investigation, Research, and Education, LLC, based in Mandeville, LA. He is a retired Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2014, serving ATF for 27 years. During his ATF tenure, he served as a Special Agent Certified Fire Investigator and served as a Program Manager and Supervisory Special Agent coordinating ATF’s fire investigation training programs. Throughout his career he has attended numerous fire investigation training and education seminars and has coordinated and instructed numerous training programs both inside of United States and Internationally. He is a life member of the Louisiana Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators previously serving on the Board of Directors and advancing to the position of Chapter President. He is a life member of the International Association of Arson investigators and served on the Board of Directors for 11 years, including service as President during 2009/2010. He currently serves as the Program Manager of the IAAI CFITrainer.net distance learning program, working with the steering committee of the IAAI distance learning initiative as an advisor, contributor of support materials, and a presenter. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Brian Tetro, Esquire has been a Partner in the Property Subrogation Department at White and Williams LLP, since 2016; he has been employed by the firm since 2002, when he was hired as an associate in this department. Prior to White and Williams, Mr. Tetro was an associate for three years at the insurance defense law firm of Margolis Edelstein. As a partner, Mr. Tetro handles mid six-figure and low seven-figure property damage subrogation claims throughout most states in the country – and has tried to verdict cases in at least five jurisdictions, with successful jury awards obtained in state court in Philadelphia and federal court in Boston. He also presents subrogation seminars on various topics for the department. He is admitted to the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York bars. Mr. Tetro graduated from Villanova Law School in 1998, where he was an editor for the Villanova Environmental Law Journal. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in History, from James Madison University in 1995.