LA Scores Major Victory in a High-Exposure Premises Liability Action
July 06, 2026 —
Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLPOur firm is proud to announce a decisive defense victory obtained by Partner
Daniel Crespo and Associate
Lauren Landau for our client in a high-exposure premises liability action arising from a 2022 incident at an active school construction site in Perris, California. On March 10, 2026, the Riverside County Superior Court granted Summary Judgment in full for our client, dismissing all claims brought by Plaintiff, who alleged she tripped and fell over a curb while picking up her daughter from school and sustained ankle and wrist injuries as a result.
Through meticulous preparation and the strategic use of construction plans, contractual documents, and onsite surveillance video evidence, our team demonstrated that our client had no ownership, possession, or control over the portion of the existing sidewalk where the incident occurred, with construction plans unambiguously designating the area as pre-existing concrete outside our client’s scope of work, and the Construction Services Agreement expressly reserving control over all existing site improvements to the school district.
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Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Traub Lieberman Recognized in the 2026 Edition of Chambers USA
June 29, 2026 —
Traub LiebermanIn the 2026 edition of Chambers USA, Traub Lieberman has been awarded rankings in the following categories:
Illinois – Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer
In the Chambers research, clients noted: "The team are technically very strong, responsive, and on top of their cases."
Florida – Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer
In the Chambers research, clients noted: "Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry distinguishes itself through a combination of deep subject-matter expertise, responsiveness, and practical risk-management orientation." Commenters went on to say: “The team has deep knowledge of Florida property insurance statutes, regulations and case law, enabling effective handling of disputes, appeals and third-party litigation."
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Traub Lieberman
Sixth Circuit Revives Builder’s Risk Coverage, Refusing to Let Insurer Escape on a Technicality
July 27, 2026 —
Kevin V. Small & Adriana A. Perez - Hunton Insurance Recovery BlogIn 3371 Reading, LLC v. Liberty Mutual Group, the Sixth Circuit did something courts do not always do in coverage disputes: it refused to let an insurer avoid liability based on a technical policy condition that could never actually be satisfied.
The decision is a straightforward reminder of two core principles. First, policies must be interpreted from the standpoint of a reasonably prudent insured. Second, hyper-technical conditions cannot be used to deny coverage where compliance is never possible.
Reprinted courtesy of
Kevin V. Small, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and
Adriana A. Perez, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Mr. Small may be contacted at ksmall@hunton.com
Ms. Perez may be contacted at pereza@hunton.com
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Samuel Alhadeff Represents LGI Homes in Acquisition and Re-Entitlement of Maravilla Estates
July 06, 2026 —
Lewis BrisboisTemecula Partner Samuel Alhadeff recently represented LGI Homes in its acquisition and re-entitlement of Maravilla Estates, a 169-lot active adult community located in San Jacinto, California.
The acquisition and re-entitlement of the project provide LGI Homes with the opportunity to deliver much-needed age-qualified housing in one of Riverside County's growing residential markets. The community includes a recorded final map and finished lots, as well as future development inventory and planned amenities, positioning the project for continued development and completion.
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Lewis Brisbois
Traub Lieberman Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
September 08, 2026 —
Traub LiebermanTraub Lieberman is pleased to announce that four Partners have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. In addition, six attorneys have been included in the 2027 Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list. These recognitions include attorneys from the firm’s White Plains, NY; Chicago, IL; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and St. Petersburg, FL offices.
2027 Best Lawyers®
White Plains, NY
- Lisa L. Shrewsberry – Commercial Litigation
Chicago, IL
- Brian C. Bassett – Insurance Law
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Rina Clemens – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
St. Petersburg, FL
- Lauren S. Curtis – Insurance Law
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Traub Lieberman
That’s a Wrap! Pennsylvania Court Holds Arbitration Clause in Online Agreement Unenforceable
May 14, 2026 —
Gus Sara - The Subrogation StrategistIn Duffy v. Tatum, 2026 Pa. Super. LEXIS 112, 2026 PA Super 41, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania (Superior Court) considered whether an arbitration provision contained in the online Terms of Service on the defendant’s website were enforceable. The plaintiff, Daniel Duffy (Duffy), visited the website of defendant, Dolly, Inc. (Dolly), to purchase moving services. Duffy selected the number of movers, items to be moved and the type of vehicle needed. To complete the booking, the website required Duffy to checkmark a box labeled “By checking this box I accept the Dolly Terms of Service.” Duffy did not have to open the link or scroll to the bottom of the agreement before being able to click on the checkmark box. The Terms of Service included an arbitration provision requiring that any dispute related to the moving services to be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association. The Terms of Service did not include any statement that the user was waiving the right to a jury trial. The Superior Court found the internet Terms of Service unenforceable.
During the moving process, an accident occurred and injured Duffy. In May 2024, Duffy and his wife sued Dolly and other related entities alleging negligence and loss of consortium. Dolly filed preliminary objections alleging that the parties agreed to alternative dispute resolution. The lower court overruled the preliminary objections, finding that Dolly’s website did not provide reasonably obvious notice of its Terms of Service to Duffy and, as such, Duffy never agreed to waive his constructional right to a jury trial. Dolly filed an appeal to the Superior Court.
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Gus Sara, White and Williams LLPMr. Sara may be contacted at
sarag@whiteandwilliams.com
Construction Liens: Liening for Amounts Not Yet Technically Due Does Not Mean Lien Is Fraudulent
August 11, 2026 —
David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal UpdatesA 2024 bankruptcy ruling, In re Edgewater Construction Group, Inc., 657 B.R. 668 (S.D.Fla. 2024), touched upon an interesting issue when it comes to construction liens. Is a construction lien fraudulent simply because the lien includes amounts not yet due? Not necessarily.
In this bankruptcy dispute, the subcontractor debtor (that filed for bankruptcy) recorded two construction liens on projects. The general contractor argued in the bankruptcy court that the subcontractor debtor’s liens were fraudulent.
As to the first lien, the general contractor argued that the lien was fraudulent because it included amounts that the debtor knew the general contractor had already paid to the debtor’s subcontractors/suppliers. The bankruptcy court disagreed: “The Court finds that, although the Debtor had been told that [the general contractor] had paid these subcontractors, in light of the ongoing dispute between Debtor and [the general contractor], it was reasonable for the Debtor to demand proof. Debtor’s subsequent filing of a partial satisfaction of lien once the Debtor received the requested proof of payment from [the general contractor] counters any claim of willful exaggeration.” In re Edgewater Construction Group, supra, at 672-673.
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David Adelstein, Kirwin NorrisMr. Adelstein may be contacted at
dma@kirwinnorris.com
WSHB Managing Partner Chad Dunigan Named Finalist for Jerrold S. Oliver "Ollie" Award of Excellence
May 12, 2026 —
Wood Smith Henning BermanChad Dunigan, Managing Partner of Wood Smith Henning & Berman's Orlando, Florida, office, has been selected as one of just four finalists for the prestigious Jerrold S. Oliver Award of Excellence, affectionately known in the construction defect community as the "Ollie" Award. This distinguished honor recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing the field of construction defect law.
Named in honor of the late Judge Jerrold S. Oliver, a revered founder of alternative dispute resolution in construction defect claims and litigation, the Ollie award symbolizes loyalty, commitment, and trust within the industry. Judge Oliver's legacy as a staunch believer in the resolution process continues to inspire professionals who strive for excellence in the construction defect community.
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Wood Smith Henning Berman
