Scott T. Bennett highlighted for multifamily property expert witness work

Close Up Radio featured Dallas-based expert witness Scott T. Bennett for his work on multifamily, mixed-use and commercial property disputes, where attorneys use his reports and testimony on safety, standard of care and risk management. Bennett says his 34-plus years in property management help him advise both plaintiffs and defendants across the U.S.

Why it matters: - Attorneys handling apartment, condo, mixed-use and commercial property disputes increasingly rely on Bennett’s expertise to assess whether property managers met the standard of care. - Bennett’s reports and testimony can shape settlement leverage, mediation outcomes and trial strategy in cases involving safety failures, inspections and security risks. - His work spans both sides of litigation, with service for plaintiffs and for landlords or defendants.

What happened: - Close Up Radio featured Scott T. Bennett in an interview with Jim Masters on Wednesday, June 24, at 3 p.m. Eastern. - The segment focused on Bennett’s role as an expert witness in multi-family apartment dwellings, safety and risk management. - Bennett, based in Dallas, works through the Expert Institute Group. - Bennett has more than 34 years of property management experience. - Bennett said his expert witness career started by accident after an attorney found him on LinkedIn and asked him to consult on an apartment-building injury lawsuit. - Bennett wrote his first expert report in 2017.

The details: - Bennett handles expert reports, depositions and testimony across multiple states. - Bennett estimates his case mix at about 60% for plaintiffs and 40% for landlords or defendants. - Bennett said he takes cases only when he sees value in a solid case. - Bennett belongs to the Institute of Real Estate Management, the Texas Apartment Association, the National Apartment Association, the International Building Code, the National Fire Protection Association and local apartment associations. - Bennett serves on the Institute of Real Estate Management Member Experience Advisory Council. - Bennett is a certified IREM Collegiate Coach for the Student & Academic Outreach Advisory Board. - Bennett has served on a residential housing board for 15 years. - Bennett attends legal seminars through the SEAK Institute with attorneys, judges and other legal professionals. - Bennett says the minimum standard of care in property management includes documented inspections, enforcement of lease provisions, prompt response to safety complaints and proactive oversight of security risks. - Bennett says industry standards rest on policies, procedures, management agreements and training. - Bennett says tenants also have responsibilities, including following lease terms, maintaining units, avoiding unauthorized occupants and not engaging in prohibited activity. - Bennett identifies common property risks as security vulnerabilities, fire hazards and unauthorized access. - Bennett says landlords should respond to a history of crime with measures such as improved lighting, surveillance and security patrols. - Bennett says cameras can help investigations and may deter crime, but they are not a complete solution. - Bennett says reasonable security measures can include access control, adequate lighting, functional surveillance systems, security patrols where warranted and incident-response policies. - Bennett retired from the corporate world two years ago and now focuses full time on expert witness work. - Bennett recently partnered with Phoenix property management expert Michael Welton on commercial and HOA-related cases. - Bennett said the partnership gives attorneys a broader perspective on complex cases. - A Houston attorney told Bennett his expert report was central to a major settlement involving a safety railing collapse. - Bennett said most of his cases settle before trial because of clear, evidence-based reports that hold up in mediation and depositions. - Bennett helps develop risk management and property safety manuals for large real estate organizations. - Bennett also publishes blog posts on mold exposure, inspection protocols and aggressive breed dogs. - Bennett warned that mold can create serious health risks and said tenants should request a professional evaluation if they suspect a problem.

Between the lines: - Bennett’s background shows how property managers with operational experience can move into litigation support when attorneys need practical standards-based analysis. - His emphasis on documented inspections, training and incident response reflects a broader legal focus on foreseeability and reasonable precautions in housing cases. - The recurring theme in Bennett’s work is that property disputes often turn on process failures, not just the final incident.

What's next: - Bennett’s business continues to grow through referrals and professional connections. - Bennett is expected to keep expanding his work in multifamily, commercial, HOA and mold-exposure litigation. - More information is available through the company’s announcement. - The interview is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify. - Close Up Radio also linked to its Facebook page.