ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

Motion for Summary Judgment Granted in Significant California Public Utilities Suit

May 12, 2026 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Congratulations to Partner Mike D’Andrea and Associates Ruth Rasiah and Kaylah Abdullah in the Los Angeles office for obtaining a complete dismissal of their clients in a significant claim involving California’s Public Utilities regulations. After lengthy litigation, BWB&O’s Motion for Summary Judgment was granted against Claimant, Spectrum (Charter Communications), which resulted in a complete dismissal of the action against BWB&O’s clients. At issue was whether California’s Public Utilities Code shifted the common law duty to maintain certain utility equipment in residential areas within Southern California. After significant briefing, the Superior Court found that BWB&O correctly argued that the Public Utilities Code required utility companies, like Spectrum, to fully maintain utility equipment, and that private residents are not responsible for utility maintenance (even if the physical equipment is located on private property). Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP

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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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New York Construction: New Rules for Reporting and Cancellation Pay

October 12, 2026 — Meghan Douris & Howard Wexler - The Construction Seyt
Effective December 8, 2026, covered New York construction employers generally must provide up to four hours of reporting pay when an employee reports for a scheduled shift but receives no work, and two hours of pay when a scheduled shift is canceled with less than 12 hours’ notice. Separate requirements apply to certain prevailing-wage construction projects. Before the law takes effect, contractors should identify which projects and employees are covered and make sure their scheduling, payroll, labor, and contract practices are ready. What the New Law Requires New York’s Construction Reporting Pay Act introduces two principal compensation requirements for covered construction employees:

• Reporting pay: An employee who reports for a scheduled shift but is not provided work generally must receive up to four hours of pay.
• Shift-cancellation pay: An employee generally must receive two hours of pay when a scheduled shift is canceled with less than 12 hours’ notice.

Reprinted courtesy of Meghan Douris, Seyfarth and Howard Wexler, Seyfarth Ms. Douris may be contacted at mdouris@seyfarth.com Mr. Wexler may be contacted at hwexler@seyfarth.com Read the full story...

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Segal McCambridge Recognized in 2026 Chambers USA Rankings

June 15, 2026 — Segal McCambridge
Los Angeles, CA, June 8, 2026 - Segal McCambridge is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized as a leader by Chambers USA in California. The firm is listed in the Chambers-ranked department, receiving a Band 5 ranking for construction in California. The ranking further reinforces the firm's commitment to supporting California's construction market, from owners to developers and contractors, in high-stakes disputes statewide. "Chambers' research-driven process and independence make this acknowledgment especially meaningful. We're proud of this ranking and grateful to our clients and colleagues whose consistent trust and collaboration make our work possible," said Jason P. Eckerly, Managing Shareholder of Segal McCambridge. Chambers and Partners is widely regarded as one of the legal industry's most respected and independent ranking organizations. Operating across 200 jurisdictions and relied on in more than 70 countries, Chambers has, since 1990, conducted rigorous research to identify leading lawyers and law firms through a methodology that combines analysis of firm capability, achievement, and market presence through interviews and assessment of recent matters across more than 1,400 U.S. ranking tables, covering all 50 states, Washington, DC, and nationwide. About Segal McCambridge Segal McCambridge has built a reputation as a national law firm of accomplished trial attorneys for almost four decades. Founded in 1986, the firm has grown from a four-lawyer shop in Chicago to a firm with more than 20 offices nationwide. The firm routinely counsels and defends clients, including Fortune 500 companies, corporations, and individuals, across the United States in complex litigation matters, including, but not limited to: asbestos, class action, construction, employment, environmental, food and beverage, insurance coverage and bad faith, life sciences, product liability, professional liability, technology and cyber risk, transportation, and warranty. For more information, visit: www.segalmccambridge.com.

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Las Vegas Partner Jeffrey Saab and Team Leader D. Ryan Efros Secure a $0.00 Settlement on a Multimillion-Dollar Construction Defect Case!

April 14, 2026 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Partner Jeffrey Saab and Team Leader D. Ryan Efros’ client was a construction supervisor on a palatial mansion. The homeowners claimed millions of dollars in damages and asserted the client was a general contractor (GC) and so responsible for the alleged defects. Jeff and Ryan took more than 15 depositions, reinforcing their trial strategy theme: that the client was not a GC, but Plaintiffs were. They secured significant concessions from Plaintiffs, pressed Plaintiffs’ own negligent construction choices, and made the risk of trying the case intolerable. On the eve of trial, Plaintiffs backed down, settling out Jeff and Ryan’s client for $0.00. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Dolores Montoya, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP

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Jonathan Aihie Named to The National Bar Association’s “Top 40 Under 40” List

August 03, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois
Fort Lauderdale Partner Jonathan Aihie was recently named to The National Bar Association (NBA) “Top 40 Under 40” list. The NBA “Top 40 Under 40” recognizes the nation's top lawyers under the age of 40 who demonstrate professional excellence, leadership, and commitment to the community. Recipients represent a broad cross-section of the legal profession, including private practice, government, academia, the judiciary, corporate counsel, and public service. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

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Understanding the EPA’s Latest Proposed Drinking Water Contaminant Monitoring Rule, Published in Law360

September 01, 2026 — Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) represents another step in the federal government’s ongoing effort to identify and evaluate emerging contaminants in drinking water. The proposal would require certain public water systems to monitor and report on 30 unregulated drinking water contaminants from 2028 through 2030, while generating occurrence data that could inform future regulation and affect environmental, commercial, litigation and risk assessments. In an article published by Law360, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Senior Counsel, Ayodeji Ayolola, analyzes the scope and practical implications of UCMR 6, including the contaminants selected, the proposed monitoring requirements for public water systems, and the EPA’s continued focus on PFAS and related organofluorine compounds. The article also touches upon the potential significance of publicly available monitoring data for businesses and property stakeholders. Housing Agency Claims It Is Not a Party in Construction Defect Case

Build Me A Building As Fast As You Can

NY Pay-to-Play Charges Dropped Against LPCiminelli Executive As Another Pleads Guilty

Attorney’s Fees Entitlement And Application Under Subcontract Default Provision

Ohio Condo Development Case Filed in 2011 is Scheduled for Trial

Court Denies Insurers' Motions for Summary Judgment Under All Risk Policies

Selected Environmental Actions Posted on the Fall 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulator Actions

COVID-19 Pandemic Preference Amendments to Bankruptcy Code Benefiting Vendors, Customers, Commercial Landlords and Tenants

Newmeyer & Dillion Attorneys Selected to the 2016 Southern California Super Lawyers Lists

Tech to Help Contractors Avoid Litigation

Developers Can Tap into DOE’s $400 Million for Remote and Rural Clean Energy Projects

Court Dismisses Coverage Actio
No Occurrence Where Contract Provides for Delays

Apartment Construction Increasing in Colorado while Condo Construction Remains Slow

Traub Lieberman Partner Bradley T. Guldalian Wins Summary Judgment in Pinellas County Circuit Court

Tips for Drafting Construction Contracts

Statutory Bad Faith and an Insured’s 60 Day Notice to Cure

The Condominium Warranty Against Structural Defects in the District of Columbia

More thoughts on Virginia Mechanic’s Liens

Hunton’s Alice Weeks Selected to the Miami Dade Bar’s Circle of Excellence for Insurance Litigation

Lost Productivity or Inefficiency Claim Can Be Challenging to Prove

What is the True Value of Rooftop Solar Panels?

Construction Litigation Roundup: “Indeed, You Just Design ‘Em”

Georgia Supreme Court Limits Damages Under Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act

Amada Family Limited Partnership v. Pomeroy: Colorado Court of Appeals Expressly Affirms the Continuing Viability of the Common-Law After-Acquired Title Doctrine and Expressly Recognizes Utility Easements by Necessity

Never, Ever, Ever Assume! (Or, How a Stuck Shoe is Like a Construction Project Assumption)

Millennium’s Englander Buys $71.3 Million Manhattan Co-Op

When Subcontractors Sue Only the Surety on Payment Bond and Tips for General Contractors

Saved By The Statute: The Economic Loss Doctrine Does Not Bar Claims Under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law

ICYMI: Highlights From ABC Convention 2024

Construction Robots 2023

Construction Attorneys Get an AI Assist in Document Crunch

Court Rules in Favor of Treasure Island Developers in Environmental Case

Hunton Offers Amicus Support in First Circuit Review of “Surface Water” Under Massachusetts Law

Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (1/16/24) – Algorithms Affect the Rental Market, Robots Aim to Lower Construction Costs, and Gen Z Struggle to Find Their Own Space

Navigating Federal Government Contracts Under Newly Imposed Tariffs

Congratulations to San Diego Partner Johnpaul Salem and Senior Associate Scott Hoy for Obtaining a Complete Defense Verdict!

Equities Favor Subrogating Insurer Over Subcontractor That Performed Defective Work

Employee or Independent Contractor? New Administrator’s Interpretation Issued by Department of Labor Provides Guidance

Hold on Just One Second: Texas Clarifies Starting Point for Negligence Statute of Limitations

Quick Note: Be Careful with Pay if Paid Clauses (Both Subcontractors and General Contractors)

How to Challenge a Project Labor Agreement

Update: New VOSH Maximum Penalties as of July 1

Construction Defect or Just Punch List?

Georgia Court of Appeals Upholds Denial of Coverage Because Insurance Broker Lacked Agency to Accept Premium Payment

GRSM Named to 2025 “Best Companies to Work For” List by U.S. News & World Report

Traub Lieberman Partners Ryan Jones and Scot Samis Obtain Affirmation of Final Summary Judgment

Texas City Pulls Plug on Fossil Fuels With Shift to Solar

Meet BWB&O’s Mountain States Rising Stars!

A Year After Fatal Genoa Viaduct Collapse, Replacement Takes Shape

2014 WCC Panel: Working Smarter with Technology

Haight Welcomes Robert S. Rucci

Allen, TX Board of Trustees Expected to Approve Stadium Repair Plans

Ex-Ironworkers Local President Sentenced to Prison Term for Extortion

A Subcontractor’s Perspective On California’s Recent Changes to Indemnity Provisions

2017 Legislative Changes Affecting the Construction Industry

Lewis Brisbois Ranked Tier 1 Nationally for Insurance Law, Mass Tort/Class Actions Defense, Labor & Employment Litigation, and Environmental Law in 2024 Best Law Firms®

Unesco Denies Claim It Cleared Construction of Zambezi Dam

Brown Orders Mandatory Water Curbs for California Drought

Allocating the Risk of Tariff Price Increases

DOE Abruptly Cancels $13B Cleanup Award to BWXT-Fluor Team

A Homeowner’s Guide to Recovering After the Palisades Fire