ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

GRSM Attorneys Selected to 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

January 06, 2026 — Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Super Lawyers® has released its 2025 attorney lists across various regions of the United States. This year, 189 Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani attorneys have been selected, with 60 named to Super Lawyers and 129 named to Rising Stars. *For attorneys licensed to practice in New Jersey: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Please visit the Super Lawyers Selection Process for a detailed description of the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars selection methodology. GRSM Super Lawyers 2025 Northern California Michael D. Bruno David C. Capell Lisa M. Cappelluti Dion N. Cominos Matthew S. Foy Natalie Fujikawa Marie Trimble Holvick Michael A. Laurenson Michael J. Pietrykowski Andrew I. Port Gina Stassi Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

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Fort Lauderdale Associate Secures Summary Judgment in Rare Premises Liability Win

February 23, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
Fort Lauderdale associate Kyle Hollander recently secured a summary judgment victory for his client, Winn-Dixie, in a contested premises liability case. This was a hotly disputed liability case of water on the floor near an ice cooler with surveillance footage of a customer constantly bringing bags of ice to and from the cooler to the register. The plaintiff unknowingly stepped into the area of dripped melted ice and fell. Kyle successfully argued based on the plaintiff’s own deposition testimony and the surveillance footage that Winn-Dixie didn’t have the requisite actual notice. Additionally, Kyle argued that the brief duration the condition remained on the floor was legally insufficient to establish constructive notice under Florida law. The Court agreed, finding that the evidence would not survive a directed verdict and granting summary judgment in favor of the defense. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

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What if the Supreme Court Overrules the Reciprocal Tariffs? Plan Now for Refunds, Protests, and Contract Reconciliation

December 15, 2025 — Brett W. Johnson, T. Troy Galan, Cole Craghan & Thomas Williams - Snell & Wilmer
As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the legality of President Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs,” companies that sell goods internationally face a pivotal inflection point. If the tariffs are struck down, the decision will not simply unwind a trade policy — it may trigger a complex refund process involving billions of dollars in tariffs. This will lead to disputes over who receives repayment, and potential friction between suppliers and customers whose contracts passed tariff costs downstream. Such disputes appear to be on the horizon, as the U.S. Supreme Court considered oral arguments on the reciprocal tariffs on November 5, 2025, and several Justices signaled their skepticism about whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) permits the president to impose tariffs unilaterally. While the outcome remains uncertain, businesses that act now to preserve refund rights and clarify contractual obligations may be best positioned to receive refunds and avoid costly disputes if the tariffs are ordered to be repaid. Reprinted courtesy of Brett W. Johnson, Snell & Wilmer, Subrogation Insight: Expert Testimony Admissible Despite Post-Loss RepairsDecember 30, 2025 — Gus Sara - The Subrogation Strategist
In Ghaznavi v. Arby Constr., Inc., No. 14-24-00213-CV, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 839, the Court of Appeals of Texas (Court of Appeals) considered whether the trial court properly excluded the plaintiffs’, Kambiz Moavenzadeh Ghaznavi and Anahita Nokkonejad (collectively, the Ghaznavis), liability expert. The case arose from a fire at the Ghaznavis’ residence. The trial court held that because the Ghaznavis’ expert did not physically inspect certain fire damaged areas before they were repaired, the expert’s testimony was unreliable and thus inadmissible. The

Subrogation Insight: Expert Testimony Admissible Despite Post-Loss Repairs

December 30, 2025 — Gus Sara - The Subrogation Strategist
In Ghaznavi v. Arby Constr., Inc., No. 14-24-00213-CV, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 839, the Court of Appeals of Texas (Court of Appeals) considered whether the trial court properly excluded the plaintiffs’, Kambiz Moavenzadeh Ghaznavi and Anahita Nokkonejad (collectively, the Ghaznavis), liability expert. The case arose from a fire at the Ghaznavis’ residence. The trial court held that because the Ghaznavis’ expert did not physically inspect certain fire damaged areas before they were repaired, the expert’s testimony was unreliable and thus inadmissible. The Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s ruling, finding that the expert’s review of photographs of the repaired areas and his testimony explaining his opinions were sufficient to survive summary judgment. In this case, the Ghaznavis’ hired the defendant, Arby Construction Inc. d/b/a National Residential Services (Arby Constr.), to install new tiling in a corridor inside their home. The corridor was adjacent to the garage. While Arby Constr. was performing the work, the Ghaznavis asked the defendant to fix an outlet inside the garage that was not working. Arby Constr. installed a new wire that connected the outlet to the garage door opener at the ceiling of the garage.

Traub Lieberman Attorneys Recognized in Hudson Valley Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers List

March 24, 2026 — Copernicus T. Gaza, Jonathan R. Harwood, Lisa M. Rolle, Lisa L. Shrewsberry, Christopher Russo & Hillary J. Raimondi - Traub Lieberman
Traub Lieberman is pleased to announce that six Partners from the White Plains, NY office have been included in the 2026 edition of the Hudson Valley Magazine’s Top Lawyers in the Hudson Valley list. This annual guide recognizes more than 270 of the region's leading attorneys. Insurance:

• Copernicus Gaza
• Jonathan Harwood
• Lisa Rolle
• Lisa Shrewsberry

Reprinted courtesy of Don’t Breach Your Contract, but If You Do, Don’t Breach FirstDecember 22, 2025 — Christopher G. Hill - Construction Law Musings
Well, it’s been a while since my last post here at Musings due to travel, work, Thanksgiving, etc. so I thought I’d let a recent case remind us all that while breaching a construction contract is bad, doing it first is even worse. This is the so called “doctrine of first breach” that basically states that if both parties are in breach (or even just one), then the first to breach is the one that will bear the costs of breach. The doctrine also states that the one first to breach first can’t enforce any of its rights going forward. The plaintiff in SEG Props. LLC v. NTC Mazzuca Constr.,Inc., the Virginia Court of Appeals considered a first breach scenario that was pretty extreme. The basic facts are as follows: SEG hired Mazzuca to build a private shooting range and hired a property manager (Jones, Lang, LaSalle, Inc. (“JLL”)) as its project representative. Per the contract, if Mazzuca pr

How to Fireproof a Neighborhood

March 17, 2026 — Linda Poon - Bloomberg
As builders in fire-prone areas like California race to reimagine homes for a more fiery future, one developer is zooming out to build entire fire-resilient neighborhoods. KB Home’s developments tackle an issue that’s hard for any individual homeowner to overcome: “You can do your home perfectly, but if your neighbor didn’t, you still have a fire risk,” said Roy Wright, chief executive officer of the research nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. In other words, to slow the spread of urban fires it takes a village. Course of Conduct Can Serve as Waiver or Modification of Parties’ ContractDecember 22, 2025 — David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal Updates
When you enter into a contr

Maryland Enacts Climate-Cost Study Over Veto, New Jersey Advances Climate Superfund Proposal as Earlier State Laws Face Ongoing Court Challenges

January 21, 2026 — Amanda G. Halter, Ashleigh Myers & Jillian Marullo - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
Maryland lawmakers have overridden the governor’s veto to enact legislation directing a statewide assessment of climate-related costs, while New Jersey lawmakers are preparing a January committee hearing for the State’s pending Climate Superfund Act. Together, these actions underscore continued state-level interest in both study-based and liability-focused climate-cost attribution frameworks, even as four separate lawsuits challenging state climate superfund statutes in New York and Vermont proceed in federal court. Maryland Legislature Overrides Veto to Advance Climate-Cost Assessment On December 16, the Maryland General Assembly voted to override Governor Wes Moore’s veto of S.B. 149 / H.B. 128, the “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Total Assessed Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Study and Reports” Act. The vote followed the Governor’s announcement, just days earlier, that his administration would fully fund the study mandated by the bill, effectively reversing his prior veto. Reprinted courtesy of Amanda G. Halter, Pillsbury, Ashleigh Myers, Pillsbury and Jillian Marullo, Pillsbury Ms. Halter may be contacted at amanda.halter@pillsburylaw.com Ms. Myers may be contacted at ashleigh.myers@pillsburylaw.com Ms. Marullo may be contacted at jillian.marullo@pillsburylaw.com Angela Zanin Featured in LACBA List of Women’s History Month HonoreesMarch 17, 2026 — Celebrating 29 Years – Thank You for Your Continued Trust!April 20, 2026 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
For 29 years, Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP has grown alongside the clients and communities we proudly serve. What began as a single office in Orange County has evolved into a multi-state firm with 11 locations across five states. Today, we are proud to be supported by a dedicated team of more than 200 attorneys and over 400 employees who work every day to deliver exceptional service and results. This milestone is not just about where we started; it’s about the people who have helped shape who we are today. Our continued growth reflects the strength of our relationships, the trust of our clients and partners, and the commitment of our team. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Dolores Montoya, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Insurer’s Federal Suit Dismissed in Favor of Insu
Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment Denied in Collapse Claim

Ohio subcontractor work exception to the “your work” exclusion

Angela Cooner Named "Top Lawyer" by Phoenix Magazine in Inaugural Publication

UPDATE: Trade Secrets Pact Allows Resumed Work on $2.6B Ga. Battery Plant

Golden Gate Bridge's $76 Million Suicide Nets Near Approval

Megaproject Savings Opportunities

Does the Implied Warranty of Habitability Extend to Subsequent Purchasers? Depends on the State

Insurance Company’s Reservation of Rights Letter Negates its Interest in the Litigation

Demand f
Insurer Not Entitled to Summary Judgment on Construction Defect, Bad Faith Claims

BP Is Not an Additional Insured Under Transocean's Policy

Contractor Suffolk's Hospital Project Is on Critical List After Steward Health Care Bankruptcy

The Most Expensive Apartment Listings in New York That Are Not in Manhattan

Pancakes Decision Survives Challenge Before Hawaii Appellate Court

There is No Presumptive Resumption!

How BIM Can Serve Building Owners

Differing Site Conditions: What to Expect from the Court When You Encounter the Unexpected

Mercury Insurance Builds Climate Science Team to Tackle the Impact of Extreme Weather Events

Engineer Proposes Slashing Scope of Millennium Tower Pile Upgrade

Accounting for Payments on Projects Became Even More Crucial This Year

Lower Manhattan Condos Rival Midtown’s Luxury Skyscrapers

Appeals Court Affirms Carrier’s Duty to Pay Costs Taxed Against Insured in Construction Defect Suit

Are Defense Costs In Addition to Policy Limits?

A New Vision for Safety: Construction Safety Week’s Five-Year Plan

The Privacy Shield Is Gone: How Do I Now Move Data from the EU to the US

There’s the 5 Second Rule, But Have You Heard of the 5 Year Rule?

Congratulations to Partners Nicole Whyte, Keith Bremer, Vik Nagpal, and Devin Gifford, and Associates Shelly Mosallaei and Melissa Youngpeter on Their Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America!

Discovery Requests in Bad Faith Litigation Considered by Court

Supply Chain Delay Recommendations

Has Hydrogen's Time Finally Come?

Defeating the Ten-Year Statute of Repose For Latent Construction Defects

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

Explore Legal Immigration Options for Construction Companies

It Has Started: Supply-Chain, Warehouse and Retail Workers of Essential Businesses Are Filing Suit

Subcontractors on Washington Public Projects can now get their Retainage Money Sooner

Jobsite Safety, Workforce Shortage Drive Innovation in Machine Automation

AB 685 and COVID-19 Workplace Exposure: New California Notice and Reporting Requirements of COVID Exposure Starting January 1, 2021

Los Angeles Seeks Speedier Way to Build New Affordable Homes

Capitol View-Corridor Restrictions Affect Massing of Austin’s Tallest Tower

Stay-At-Home Orders and Work Restrictions with 50 State Matrix

Dear Engineer: Has your insurer issued a “Reservation of Rights” letter? (law note)

Perovskite: The Super Solar Cells

Hunton Insurance Partner, Larry Bracken, Elected to the American College of Coverage Counsel

More (and Simpler) Options Under New Oregon Retention Law

Eleventh Circuit Vacates District Court Decision Finding No Duty to Defend Faulty Workmanship Claims

Executive Order 14275: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

What is the Implied Warranty of Habitability?

What To Do When the Government is Slow to Decide a Claim?

Lack of Flood Insurance for New York’s Poorest Residents

Housing Gains Not Leading to Hiring

Drawing the Line: In Tennessee, the Economic Loss Doctrine Does Not Apply to Contracts for Services

Compliance Doesn’t Pay: Compliance Evidence Inadmissible in Strict Liability Actions

Construction Executives Expect Improvements in the Year Ahead

Window Installer's Alleged Faulty Workmanship On Many Projects Constitutes Multiple Occurrences

New Jersey Law Firm Sued for Malpractice in Construction Defect Litigation

Industry Standard and Sole Negligence Defenses Can’t Fix a Defect

Renovate or Demolish Milwaukee’s Historic City Hall?

Wilke Fleury Attorneys Featured in “The Best Lawyers in America” & “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” 2025 Editions

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Time Standards for Closing Out Cases