Ms. 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, including cross-border discovery.  Ms. Brutout focuses her commercial litigation and arbitration practice on complex, multi-party construction disputes arising from large public infrastructure projects, metal and steel facilities, pipelines, 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.

Ms. Brutout also has extensive experience with all aspects of e-discovery and data management.  She regularly counsels clients regarding data management and preservation, as well as all aspects of document collection, processing and document and privilege review for litigation and arbitration.  Ms. Brutout has extensive experience negotiating e-discovery agreements, including search term and custodian protocol and protective orders.  Ms. Brutout also has extensive experience with international discovery issues, including obtaining document discovery and deposition testimony internationally.  Ms. Brutout also has experience with GDPR requirements, including leading document productions and reviews following GDPR requirements and protocols.

  • Constructing the Future:  Navigating Tech, Tariffs, and the Modern Labor Landscape, Construction Superconference December 2026
  • Frequent presenter on eDiscovery, Data Management, and International Discovery issues
  • Co-Author, “Defining the Schedule Expert’s Role, Scope, and Approach: Key Considerations for Coordination Between Attorneys and Experts,” The Construction Lawyer, Fall 2017

  • American Bar Association, Construction Law Section
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
  • Pittsburgh Glass Center, Board of Directors (2021 – Present)
  • Leadership Pittsburgh, Cohort XLIII

  • Best Lawyers (2024-2027)
  • Pittsburgh’s Super Lawyers “Rising Star” E-Discovery (2016)

Representative Engagements

  • Represented general contractor in a dispute related to the building of CGL3 Facility in Ohio.  During the discovery phase of the case, the parties and third parties produced more than one million documents.  The case also required international depositions and cross-border discovery.  After a two-week trial, the jury came back with a unanimous verdict on behalf of the general contractor.
  • Represented general contractor on SR 99 Underground Tunnel in Downtown Seattle in multiple jury trials relating to breach of contract and builders risk insurance coverage.  During the discovery phase of the case, more than 5 million documents were produced by the parties and third parties and more than 150 days of deposition were taken.  The cases also involved international discovery issues and cross-border discovery.
  • Represented a Canadian general contractor and its Italian parent company in an ICC arbitration seated in Calgary, Alberta, Canada relating to the construction of a natural gas pipeline across British Columbia.  Acted as lead eDiscovery counsel for complex cross-border data management and eDiscovery issues, including strict adherence with the European Union’s General Data Protection regulations.
  • Represented a leading specialty metals supplier in litigation relating to construction of a hot rolling and processing facility as both litigation counsel and lead eDiscovery counsel.  During the discovery phase of the case, the parties and subpoenaed non-parties produced more than 1.7 million documents without any e-discovery-related motions practice.
  • Regularly represents third-party electricity and natural gas supplier before Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and in their commercial disputes in Pennsylvania.
  • Trial counsel in successful insurance coverage action for coal supplier relating to ocean marine cargo policy claim for lost coal.
  • Represented contractor in successful breach of contract action against architect and school district.
  • Represented subcontractor in successful breach of contract action against contractor for work related to building a new access manhole for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority.
  • Represented contractor in action related to work it performed on service plazas on the Ohio Turnpike.  This representation included appeals to both the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
  • Represented a leading manufacturer of nuclear power plants in Lanham Act and antitrust action relating to the sale of high technology products and services to customers located worldwide.  In this case, more than six five million documents were produced by the parties and third parties, including documents obtained through cross-border discovery.
  • Represented national title insurance company in injunction against agent for breach of contract and fraud.
  • Defended manufacturer of turbomachinery in action brought by former employee.
  • Represented biosciences company in injunction for breach of contract.  This representation included overseeing the production of tens of thousands of electronic documents in the short period permitted under an accelerated discovery schedule for injunctive relief.