Samantha L. Brutout is partner in charge of eDiscovery and data management at DFL Legal in Pittsburgh. Her practice combines litigating and arbitrating complex construction disputes with extensive knowledge of all facets of eDiscovery and data management. Ms. Brutout's construction practice focuses on disputes arising from large public infrastructure projects, metal and steel facilities, and other large-scale construction projects. In September 2023, she tried a case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio resulting in a unanimous multimillion-dollar jury verdict for her client. On the eDiscovery and data management side, Ms. Brutout regularly counsels clients not only on eDiscovery issues in domestic and international litigations and arbitrations, but also on data management issues that arise on large-scale construction projects. She also leads litigation and arbitration teams in collecting, processing, and analyzing large document collections and responding to discovery issues and disputes. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Toronto and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Ms. Brutout is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.
Brett Creasy is the President and Director of Digital Forensics and bit-x-bit. An expert in digital forensics, Mr. Creasy has conducted hundreds of forensic examinations for matters involving intellectual property theft, unauthorized use of computer systems, harassment, computer hacking, criminal and white collar crimes, and employment class action cases, as well as arbitration proceedings and internal investigations. He has been designated as an expert in state and federal courts throughout the country, and has testified in scores of cases on a variety of topics and matters, most notably in cases involving the theft of confidential and trade secret information. Mr. Creasy has more than a decade of experience in information security, and in handling a wide variety of cybersecurity and incident response matters, including hacking attacks, malware, PII and PHI breaches, and other fast-paced engagements.
Kathryn Romo is an attorney with Best Best & Krieger's Advanced Records Center (ARC), where she combines her legal experience with the firm's cutting-edge technology to provide efficient and effective support for public records and e-Discovery requests. Before joining BBK, Ms. Romo was deputy county counsel in the Special Litigation and Advisory Services Division of the Office of County Counsel for Riverside County, California. She was responsible for representing the county in litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels, including public nuisance abatement, elections, tax, contract, and animal services cases. Ms. Romo also advised the county about issues related to California's Political Reform Act, amended the Riverside County Conflict of Interest Code, and researched and drafted memoranda on campaign contribution regulations. She also clerked for the Office of County Counsel, where she drafted memoranda on the Brown Act, attorney-client privilege, local election laws, and governmental tort liability. Ms. Romo earned her J.D. degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law and her B.A. degree from the University of California. She is admitted to practice in the state of California.
Darren Ziegler is director of PRA Services and E-discovery counsel with Best Best & Krieger LLP. He previously worked as staff attorney with BBK's Advanced Records Center in Ontario, California. Mr. Ziegler has dedicated the majority of his legal career to working in the public sector, most recently as deputy county counsel for the Riverside County Office of County Counsel. He served as general counsel to both the Department of Animal Services and Office of Economic Development. Mr. Ziegler advised clients on the formation and administration of various special tax districts and handled civil litigation matters including code enforcement cases. Additionally, Mr. Ziegler has served as the deputy city attorney for the Moreno Valley Office of the City Attorney, where he oversaw general litigation for the city, acted as counsel for all city advisory boards, commissions and committees, oversaw review of all California Public Records Act requests, and served as the city's risk manager. He earned his B.S. degree from Virginia Tech and his J.D. degree from William and Mary Law School. Mr. Ziegler is admitted to practice in California. He is a member of several committees including the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, and is a Certified E-Discovery Specialist.
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