ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

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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U.S. Supreme Court Decision May Negate State Law Requirement to File a Certificate of Merit with the Complaint in a Federal Action Against a Design Professional

April 27, 2026 — Christopher Olsen & Phillip Boldt - ConsensusDocs
To deter frivolous and unfounded claims against design professionals, states throughout the country have enacted statutes which generally require litigants to furnish a formal certification of merit (“COM”) from a qualified expert or face potential dismissal of their lawsuit. These COM statutes can impose a significant front-end burden on claimants who must pay an expert to review project records, interview the project team, and prepare a formal report before the lawsuit can be filed—often regardless of the amount in controversy. However, in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in a medical malpractice case, most, if not all of these statutes, may no longer be enforceable in federal court. This article examines the recent decision in Berk v. Choy, 146 S. Ct. 546 (2026), the decisions thus far which have applied Berk to invalidate COM statutes, and other categories of statutes applicable to the construction industry which may face a similar fate. The U.S. Supreme Court Decision (Berk v. Choy) In Berk, the plaintiff, Harold Berk, sued a doctor for medical malpractice under Delaware law in Delaware federal court. 146 S. Ct. at 551. Under Del. Code, Tit. 18, § 6853(a)(1), an affidavit of merit (like a COM) must accompany a complaint alleging medical malpractice. Id. Berk failed to include an affidavit of merit with his complaint. Id. at 552. Applying Delaware state law, the federal court dismissed Berk’s medical malpractice claim. Berk appealed to the Third Circuit, arguing that the affidavit of merit required by § 6853(a)(1) is unenforceable in federal court because it is more onerous than the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling, finding § 6853(a)(1) enforceable in federal court. Reprinted courtesy of Christopher Olsen, Peckar & Abramson, P.C. and Phillip Boldt, Peckar & Abramson, P.C. Mr. Olsen may be contacted at colsen@pecklaw.com Mr. Boldt may be contacted at pboldt@pecklaw.com Read the full story...

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Midwest Team Secures Resolution of Matter for Homeowners’ Association Client, Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees

February 10, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
Kansas City/Wichita Partner Alan L. Rupe and Kansas City Associate Delaney McCoy recently achieved a victory on behalf of their client, a homeowners’ association that was sued after denying a solar panel application. The plaintiff homeowners challenged the association’s decision in court, and after extensive—and costly—litigation, the court ultimately determined that the dispute was not yet ripe for judicial review. With that threshold issue resolved, the parties were able to work collaboratively to address the solar panel matter itself. But one significant question remained: whether the association was entitled to recover its legal fees under the declaration, despite the American Rule, which generally requires each party to bear its own costs. The client felt understandably taken advantage of because this issue could—and should—have been resolved without litigation. Considerable time and resources were diverted from the community for the advantage of a single household, so the Lewis Brisbois team continued to advocate for the association’s contractual right to recover fees. After oral argument, the Court agreed, enforcing the fee‑shifting provisions in the governing documents and ruling in favor of the homeowners’ association. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

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SDV Celebrates 30th Anniversary Press Release

April 08, 2026 — Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C.
Trumbull, Connecticut – Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. (SDV) is proud to announce the celebration of its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1996 by three attorneys in a small New Haven, Connecticut office, SDV was built on a clear and focused mission: representing policyholders in insurance coverage matters. Three decades later, that commitment remains at the core of the firm’s identity and has been instrumental in its continued success and reputation nationwide. Today, SDV is a nationally recognized boutique firm with 50 attorneys serving policyholders across the United States. Building on its longstanding reputation for excellence and client advocacy, the firm is pleased to announce the opening of its newest office in Massachusetts—an exciting milestone that reflects SDV’s continued growth. The new office is led by Managing Partner Anna Perry. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C.

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Construction Companies Are Nearly Seven Times Safer With These Best Practices

June 15, 2026 — ABC - Construction Executive
WASHINGTON, May 4—Associated Builders and Contractors released its 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report, an annual guide to health and safety best practices on construction jobsites. The 2026 report shows the positive effects of participating in ABC’s STEP® Health and Safety Management System, which enables top-performing ABC members to achieve incident rates 686% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average, reducing total recordable incident rates by 85%. Established in 1989, STEP is a proven system that provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring health and safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry. This self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for scalable growth in their health and safety programs to lower their total recordable incident rates and become an employer of choice in a competitive labor market. Reprinted courtesy of ABC, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the full story...

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Land Use Team Wins Appeal for Affordable Senior Housing Development in San Francisco

February 23, 2026 — Sheppard
Sheppard successfully defended client Mitchelville Real Estate Group and its non-profit development partner Bernal Heights Housing Corporation in an appeal of a 70-unit, 100% affordable senior housing development at 3333 Mission Street in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood. The team secured approval of the project, representing the developer on complex land use issues including split zoning, SB 35, the State Density Bonus Law, the Housing Crisis Act, tribal cultural resources and the Subdivision Map Act. Although the ministerially approved parcel map for the project utilized SB 35, it was appealed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and unanimously rejected. Sheppard’s real estate transactional team also assisted with the acquisition of the property. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Sheppard

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New York Amends Prompt Payment Act: Retainage Above 5% in Private Construction Contracts Now Void

February 10, 2026 — Mark A. Snyder, Levi W. Barrett, Patrick T. Murray & Skyler L. Santomartino - Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
In 2023 New York overhauled its Prompt Payment Act. The 2023 a
May Heat Wave Deaths Prompt New Cooling Rules in Chicago

Courthouse Reporter Series: Two Recent Cases Address Copyright Protection for Architectural Works

Texas Supreme Court: Breach of Contract Not Required to Prevail on Statutory Bad Faith Claim

Homeowner may pursue negligence claim for construction defect, Oregon Supreme Court holds

Don’t Kick the Claim Until the End of the Project: Timely Give Notice and Preserve Your Claims on Construction Projects

Texas Walks the Line on When the Duty to Preserve Evidence at a Fire Scene Arises

Construction Law Client Advisory: What The Recent Beacon Decision Means For Developers And General Contractors

Recent Supreme Court Decision Could Have Substantial Impact on Builders

Tropical Storms Pile Up Back-to-Back-to-Back Out West

One Sector Is Building Strength Amid Slow Growth

Low Interest Rates Encourages Homeowners to become Landlords

Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Six Partners and Three Practices at Lewis Brisbois

Liquidated Damages: A Dangerous Afterthought

Developer’s Fraudulent Statements Are His Responsibility Alone in Construction Defect Case

Vacation Rentals: Liability of the Owner for Injury Suffered by the Renter

Kamran Salour Named to Los Angeles Times' 2026 Legal Visionaries List

Bank Sues over Defective Windows

Engineer and CNA Dispute Claim Over Dual 2014 Bridge Failures

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

U.S. Supreme Court Limits the Powers of the Nation’s Bankruptcy Courts

California Court of Appeal Affirms Trial Court’s Denial of anti-SLAPP Motion in Dispute Over Construction of Church Facilities

The Five-Step Protocol to Reopening a Business

Form Contracts are Great, but. . .

How You Plead Allegations to Trigger Liability Insurer’s Duties Is Critical

Colorado Homes Approved Despite being Too Close Together

Ninth Circuit Upholds Corps’ Issuance of CWA Section 404 Permit for Newhall Ranch Project Near Santa Clarita, CA

Structural Failure of Precast-Concrete Span Sets Back Sydney Metro Job

Florida Contractor on Trial for Bribing School Official

The Clock is Ticking: Construction Delays and Liquidated Damages

National Coalition to Provide Boost for Building Performance Standards

Performance Bond Primer: Need to Knows and Need to Dos

The Legal 500 U.S. 2024 Guide Names Peckar & Abramson a Top Tier Firm in Construction Law and Recognizes Nine Attorneys

Reference to "Man Made" Movement of Earth Corrects Ambiguity

Colorado Trench Collapse Kills Two

Disjointed Proof of Loss Sufficient

The “Ugly” Property Next Door is Ruining My Property Value

Get Construction Defects in Writing

Home Building Likely to Stick to Slow Pace

Dallas Home Being Built of Shipping Containers

Contract And IP Implications Of Design Professionals Monetizing Non-Fungible Tokens Comprising Digital Construction Designs

Homeowner Survives Motion to Dismiss Depreciation Claims

NYC Rail Tunnel Cost Jumps and Construction Start Pushed Back

Construction Lien Waiver Provisions Contractors Should Be Using

Intellectual Property And Employment Law Best Practices: Are You Covering Your Bases In Protecting Construction-Related Trade Secrets?

Life After McMillin: Do Negligence and Strict Liability Causes of Action for Construction Defects Still Exist?

Construction Defects in Roof May Close School

Federal Interpleader Dealing with Competing Claims over Undisputed Payable to Subcontractor

ALERT: COVID-19 / Coronavirus-Related Ransomware and Phishing Attacks

Appeals Court Explains Punitive Damages Awards For Extreme Reprehensibility Or Unusually Small, Hard-To-Detect Or Hard-To-Measure Compensatory Damages

Protect Projects From Higher Repair Costs and Property Damage

ABC, Via Construction Industry Safety Coalition, Comments on Silica Rule

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

“It Just Didn’t Add Up!”

Irene May Benefit Construction Industry

Professor Senet’s List of 25 Decisions Every California Construction Lawyer Should Know:

PulteGroup Fires Exec Accused of Defamation By Founder’s Heir

Negligent Failure to Respond to Settlement Offer Is Not Bad Faith

The Status of OSHA’s Impending Heat Stress Standard

Construction Defect Lawsuit May Affect Home Financing

Get Your Contracts Lean- Its Better than Dieting

Colorado’s Abbreviated Legislative Session Offers Builders a Reprieve

Construction Seyt Named a Top Construction Blog by FeedSpot

How the California and Maui Wildfires Will Affect Future Construction Projects

The Death of Retail and Legal Issues

Despite Feds' Raised Bar, 2.8B Massachusetts Offshore Wind Project Presses On

Construction Problems May Delay Bay Bridge

Construction Warranties and the Statute of Repose – Southern States Chemical, Inc v. Tampa Tank & Welding Inc.

Jason Feld Awarded Volunteer of the Year by Claims & Litigation Management Alliance