ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

How AEC Firms Move AI Beyond the Pilot

July 27, 2026 — Aarni Heiskanen - AEC Business
Most AEC firms can run an AI pilot, but few can scale it. Enthusiasm for a first experiment rarely extends beyond the pilot team, leaving the pilot as an isolated win that never changes how the company works. In a recent AEC Business Podcast episode, Adeline Chan, CEO and co-founder of Hong Kong-based AAL Innovation, explained why that gap exists and what separates the firms that close it from those that stall. The Pilot Mindset that Holds Construction Back Adeline draws a sharp contrast between finance and construction. Banks cannot afford to fall behind their competitors, so they pilot constantly, sometimes running hundreds of proof-of-concept teams in parallel and letting them compete internally to identify the approach that works. The winning concept becomes the standard and scales across the organization, and the return on investment is measured in undeniable numbers. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Aarni Heiskanen, AEC Business
Mr. Heiskanen may be contacted at aec-business@aepartners.fi

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GRSM Trial Team Holds Alameda County Asbestos Verdict to $900,000 Against $50 Million Demand

July 27, 2026 — Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Partners John Katerndahl and Vincent Gunter recently obtained an outstanding trial result for a manufacturer of asbestos-containing electrical cable, holding a jury verdict to $900,000 against a $50 million demand following an eight-week trial in Alameda County Superior Court, which is among the most challenging asbestos venues in the country. The GRSM team also included Associate Brandon Sanchez, on-site trial Paralegal Laura Vitanova, and Paralegal Kerrie Lease. The plaintiffs, the surviving spouse and four children of a former painter who died of mesothelioma, alleged that the decedent was exposed to asbestos from the company’s electrical cable during construction of a California nuclear power facility. GRSM’s client was the sole remaining defendant at trial. The plaintiffs asked the jury for $50 million and called 15 witnesses across their case-in-chief and rebuttal. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

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Special Counsel Lorelie (Lorie) Masters Appointed Chair of the ABA’s Commission on Women in the Profession

October 06, 2026 — Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Special counsel Lorelie (Lorie) Masters was recently appointed as the chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. Established in 1987, the Commission was created to assess the status of women in the legal sector and remove barriers to their professional advancement. As chair, Lorie will lead a 12-member roster of commissioners, and a panel of special advisers, dedicated to ensuring equal participation and systemic equity for women lawyers across the justice system and pursuing various studies to identify issues uniquely facing women in the profession, including disparate treatment, training and recruitment, parenting, and other issues. Most recently, the Commission in late July 2026 issued a groundbreaking study about issues affecting the mental health and well-being of women lawyers. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

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Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (8/12/26) – Data Center Momentum Increases, Multifamily Construction Projects Decline, CRE Returns as Top Investor Preference

September 01, 2026 — Pillsbury's Construction & Real Estate Law Team - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
In our latest roundup, office vacancies fall, fair housing advocacy groups sue HUD, foreign buyers reduce purchases of U.S. residential real estate, and more!

• After a brief slowdown to begin the summer, data center construction planning momentum picked up in July, again shining as the brightest sector in building. (Zachary Phillips, Construction Dive)
• The number of finished multifamily construction projects declined last year — welcome news for multifamily operators eager to work through the recent supply wave — and a record share of new apartments were high-density. (Julie Strupp, Multifamily Dive)
• Fair housing advocacy groups sued the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, claiming the agency’s funding restructuring drastically reduces their ability to receive funds from the Fair Housing Initiatives Program. (Ryan Kushner, Multifamily Dive)

Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Pillsbury's Construction & Real Estate Law Team

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D.C. Circuit Upholds EPA’s CERCLA Hazardous-Substance Designations for PFAS as State-Law Settlements Highlight Expanding Liability Landscape

September 15, 2026 — Ashleigh K. Myers, Amanda G. Halter, Jillian Marullo & Anthony B. Cavender - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
On August 18, 2026, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the 2024 designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). (See Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. EPA, No. 24-1193 (D.C. Cir. Aug. 18, 2026).) The decision leaves EPA’s PFOA and PFOS hazardous substance designations in place and provides guidance on the scope of EPA’s authority to make future hazardous substances designations under CERCLA Section 102(a). The decision also likely resolves a challenge to the rule that has spanned two presidential administrations. After taking office, the Trump administration had obtained an abeyance of the litigation challenging the Biden-era rule while EPA reconsidered its position. In September 2025, EPA informed the court that it had decided to retain the designations, while signaling that it would work with Congress and industry to address CERCLA liability concerns for “passive receivers.” The litigation then resumed, with the current Administration defending the rule. Reprinted courtesy of Ashleigh K. Myers, Pillsbury, Amanda G. Halter, Pillsbury, Jillian Marullo, Pillsbury and Anthony B. Cavender, Pillsbury Ms. Myers may be contacted at ashleigh.myers@pillsburylaw.com Ms. Halter may be contacted at amanda.halter@pillsburylaw.com Ms. Marullo may be contacted at jillian.marullo@pillsburylaw.com Mr. Cavender may be contacted at anthony.cavender@pillsburylaw.com Read the full story...

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Newmeyer Dillion Ranked in Chambers Spotlight California 2026 Guide

May 26, 2026 — Newmeyer Dillion
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – May 14, 2026 - Prominent business and real estate law firm Newmeyer Dillion has been ranked in Chambers Spotlight California 2026 guide and recognized as a leading firm in Litigation: General Commercial for Orange County. Newmeyer Dillion was selected based on an independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of the firm’s experience, expertise and caliber of talent where the firm stood out for its exceptional work and is recognized in Litigation: General Commercial. Managing Partner Paul Tetzloff expressed the firm's gratitude: “It is an honor for our firm to be recognized by Chambers and Partners in their Spotlight California 2026 guide. This acknowledgment reflects our commitment to providing high quality legal services tailored to the unique needs of our clients.” Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Newmeyer Dillion

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No Bad Faith Despite Insurer’s Appraisal Award Exceeding Initial Payment

August 03, 2026 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
The federal district court granted the insurer’s motion for summary judgment, finding no bad faith despite the appraisal award exceeding the amount the insurer initially paid. Jazi Kat 4659 Rockridge LLC, et al. v. Travelers Cas. Ins. Co. of Am., et al., 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105634 (D. Ariz. May 13, 2026). Plaintiffs sued Travelers for breach of contract and bad faith, alleging that Travelers failed to pay money plaintiffs were owed under the policy. Plaintiffs held a commercial property policy for two properties. A fire destroyed one of the properties. Travelers adjusted the claim and issued two payments. Plaintiffs disagreed with the amount of the payments and demanded an appraisal. Travelers agreed to the appraisal. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

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California Poised for the Most Significant Residential Construction Defect Reforms in Decades

September 01, 2026 — Thomas D. Fama & Andrew J. Mallon - Wood Smith Henning Berman
The California Legislature is considering legislation that would dramatically alter the landscape of residential construction defect litigation. Assembly Bill 1903, currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee, proposes extensive amendments to California's Right to Repair Act (Civil Code sections 895-945.5) that would substantially strengthen procedural protections for builders while narrowing the scope of recoverable construction defect claims. If enacted, the legislation would affect virtually every stage of a construction defect dispute- from the initial notice of claim through litigation and settlement- and would introduce an entirely new certification process for newly constructed condominium projects. This article details some of the most significant proposed changes. Higher Burden for Construction Defect Plaintiffs Perhaps the most consequential change is the bill's modification of the proof required to establish liability. current law generally requires a claimant to demonstrate the residence fails to satisfy one
Florida Duty to Defend a Chapter 558 Right to Repair Notice

Two Important Points Regarding the Miller Act

Monumental Museum Makeover Comes In For Landing

Amos Rex – A Museum for the Digital Age

Termination of Construction Contracts

North Carolina Exclusion j(6) “That Particular Part”

Consequential Damages Flowing from Construction Defect Not Covered Under Florida Law

Irvine Partner Cinnamon J. Carr and Associate
California’s Prompt Payment Laws: Just Because an Owner Has Changed Course Doesn’t Mean It’s Changed Course on Previous Payments

You Cannot Always Contract Your Way Out of a Problem (The Case for Dispute Resolution in Mega and Large Complex Construction Projects)

Insurer Unable to Declare its Coverage Excess In Construction Defect Case

Insurer in Bad Faith Due to Adjuster's Failure to Keep Abreast of Case Law

When Customers Don’t Pay: What Can a Construction Business Do

Stucco Contractor Trying to Limit Communication in Construction Defect Case

Workers Hurt in Casino Floor Collapse

Los Angeles Recovery Crews Begin to Mobilize as Wildfires Continue to Burn

Accounting for Payments on Projects Became Even More Crucial This Year

Peru’s Former President and His Wife to Stay in Jail After Losing Appeal

Practical Pointers for Change Orders on Commercial Construction Contracts

Ensuing Losses From Faulty Workmanship Must be Covered

Saudi Arabia Awards Contracts for Megacity Neom’s Worker Housing

Alabama Appeals Court Rules Unexpected and Unintended Property Damage is an Occurrence

Traub Lieberman Attorneys Recognized in 2019 Edition of Who’s Who Legal

Construction Defect Coverage Summary 2013: The Business Risks Shift To Insurers

Water Backup Payment Satisfies Insurer's Obligation to Cover for Rain Damage

Construction Liens and the “Substantial Performance” Doctrine

Contractors Battle Bitter Winters at $11.8B Site C Hydro Project in Canada

Defining Construction Defects

When Is a Project Delay Material and Actionable?

In Florida, Exculpatory Clauses Do Not Need Express Language Referring to the Exculpated Party's Negligence

Subcontractor Default Insurance (“SDI”): What Is It?

Wendel Rosen Construction Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Cybersecurity on Your Project: Why Not Follow National Security Strategy?

Defend Now, Allocate Later? An Unresolved Tension in Colorado Construction Law

Coverage Denied for Insured's Defective Product

Colorado Federal Court Confirms Consequetial Property Damage, But Finds No Coverage for Subcontractor

Ken Walton Named a 2025 Massachusetts “Go To Lawyer” for Construction Law

Cincinnati Goes Green

Nuclear Energy Gets a Much-Needed Boost

Endorsements Preclude Coverage for Alleged Faulty Workmanship

Generally, What Constitutes A Trade Secret Is A Question of Fact

Before Celebrating the Market Rebound, Builders Need to Read the Fine Print: New Changes in Construction Law Coming Out of the Recession

Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (1/10/24) – New Type of Nuclear Reactor, Big Money Surrounding Sports Stadiums, and Positivity from Fannie Mae’s Monthly Consumer Survey

Eleven Payne & Fears Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers

How Machine Learning Can Help with Urban Development

Toll Plans to Boost New York Sales With Pricing, Incentives

Sellers' Alleged Misrepresentation Does Not Amount To An Occurrence

Paul Tetzloff Elected As Newmeyer & Dillion Managing Partner

Indemnity: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You!

Construction’s AI Moment — Why Contractors Are Increasingly Optimistic

Traub Lieberman Attorneys Recognized as 2021 New York – Metro Super Lawyers®

Torrey Pines Court Receives Funding for Renovation

Flexible Seattle Off-Ramp Would Retain Shape in Quake

HDR Agreed to $12M Settlement With Miami Bridge Design-Build Team

New Mexico Holds One-Sided Dispute Resolution Provisions Are Unenforceable

Why You May Not Want a Mandatory Mediation Clause in Your Construction Contract

More Money Down Adds to U.S. First-Time Buyer Blues: Economy

Google, Environmentalists and University Push Methane-Leak Detection
a Kull Obtains Favorable Arbitration Award In Year-Long High-Stakes Construction Defect Case

Truck Hits Warning Beam That Falls, Kills Motorist at Las Vegas Bridge Project

Building a Strong ESG Program Can Fuel Growth and Reduce Company Risk

Nationwide Immigrant Strike May Trigger Excusable Delay and Other Contract Provisions

Dallas Condo Project to Expand

Town Sues over Defective Work on Sewer Lines

Collapse Claim Dismissed as Untimely

Engineer Proposes Slashing Scope of Millennium Tower Pile Upgrade

Senate’s Fannie Mae Wind-Down Plan Faces High Hurdles

AFL-CIO Joins in $10 Billion Infrastructure Plan

Decaying U.S. Roads Attract Funds From KKR to DoubleLine

Congratulations to BWB&O’s 2023 Mountain States Super Lawyers Rising Stars!

GRSM Named Among 2026 “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers®

Does Your 998 Offer to Compromise Include Attorneys’ Fees and Costs?

City Sues over Leaking Sewer System

It’s Called “Delegation” – Basic Risks and Considerations for Delegated Design on Projects

Green Cement? You Bet!

Georgia Coal-to-Solar Pivot Shows the Way on Climate Regs

Chambers USA 2021 Recognizes Five Partners and Two Practices at Lewis Brisbois

Traub Lieberman Partner Lisa M. Rolle Obtains Pre-Answer Motion to Dismiss in Favor of Defendant

If Passed, New Bill AB 2320 Will Mandate Cyber Insurance For State Government Contractors

Meet the Forum's ADR Neutrals: LESLIE KING O'NEAL

Lewis Brisbois Launches New Practice Focusing on Supply Chain Issues

Indiana Appellate Court Allows Third-Party Spoliation Claim to Proceed