Anaheim California Construction Expert Witness Directory

Global Insights Center: Monthly Newsletter

June 15, 2026 — Global Insights Center Staff - The Hartford
May in Review Last month, inflation moved higher, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rising to 3.8% year over year, up from 3.3% the prior month. The increase was driven primarily by energy prices, particularly gasoline, reflecting ongoing disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict. Labor market data were broadly stable. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, wage growth increased modestly to 3.6%, while job growth continued to be geographically concentrated in the Southern states, particularly cities in Texas. On an occupational basis, healthcare once again led job gains, especially in home health services, a trend we have consistently highlighted. Business formations increased during the month, with notable strength in e commerce and digital services firms. Manufacturing activity also improved, particularly in semiconductors, IT equipment, and natural gas–related energy infrastructure. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Global Insights Center Staff, The Hartford

11 Payne & Fears Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers

August 24, 2026 — Payne & Fears
Congratulations to the 11 Payne & Fears attorneys included in the 2027 Edition of “Lawyer of the Year” and The Best Lawyers In America®. Attorneys have been recognized in the following practice areas: “Lawyer of the Year” (2027 Edition) Orange County

Benjamin A. Nix

Trade Secrets Law

The Best Lawyers in America® (2027 Edition) Irvine, CA

Jeffrey K. Brown

Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment

Daniel F. Fears

Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment

Daniel M. Livingston

Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Real Estate

Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Payne & Fears

Ball Janik LLP Welcomes Construction Defect Attorney and U.S. Air Force Veteran Jake Scott to its Fort Lauderdale Office

June 02, 2026 — Ball Janik LLP
Ball Janik LLP, a leading construction defect and insurance recovery law firm, has welcomed Jake Scott as an associate in its Fort Lauderdale office. Scott joins the Construction Defect Practice Group, bringing experience across construction litigation that includes construction defect, contract dispute, and negligence matters, along with a track record of representing construction professionals through depositions, court appearances, and trial preparation to support the firm's steady growth and client service statewide. "We're excited to welcome Jake Scott to our Fort Lauderdale office and Construction Defect Practice Group," said James C. Prichard, Managing Partner at Ball Janik LLP. "We look forward to the fresh perspectives and legal solutions he will provide for community associations across South Florida." Scott is a results-driven attorney dedicated to providing strategic counsel for complex legal challenges. He has experience managing all phases of a case, from early investigation and discovery through trial preparation and settlement negotiations. Prior to joining Ball Janik, Scott served as an associate attorney in Fort Lauderdale, where he represented clients in construction litigation matters, handled depositions and court appearances, conducted legal research, and drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs. He also worked as an attorney in Tampa, where he represented contractors, subcontractors, and construction firms in defending claims involving construction defects, contractual disputes, and negligence, and worked closely with expert witnesses, engineers, and consultants to develop and present technical evidence. Scott's experience representing the development and building sides of construction disputes provides a valuable, contrast-driven perspective that supports the strategic evaluation of claims and practical approaches to resolution for Ball Janik's clients. A proud veteran, Scott served in the United States Air Force for eight years, including roles as an Airspace Control Officer and in Space Systems Operations, supporting safe space flight operations and satellite communications. Carrying the discipline of airborne operations, Scott worked in the aerospace sector as a Satellite Engineer and Orbital Analyst. He also held a role in the housing sector, supporting marketing and business development initiatives. Scott received his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. He attended American Military University, where he earned degrees in marketing, business management, and related support services. About Ball Janik LLP Ball Janik LLP is a Florida-based law firm offering construction defect, construction law, insurance recovery, and commercial litigation counsel to its local and national clients. The firm was founded in 1982 and has expanded its capabilities, professionals, and geographic footprint. What started as a small firm focused on real property, land use, and litigation (known then as Ball Janik & Novack) has grown to a team of 50-plus attorneys and paralegals in 5 offices in Florida, with centuries of combined experience and capabilities. The firm has been recognized by Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in America©, and Corporate International. Read more here: https://www.balljanik.com.

DOI Finalizes Long-Awaited Modernization of Type A Natural Resource Damage Assessment Regulations

August 03, 2026 — Amanda G. Halter, Ashleigh K. Myers & Jillian Marullo - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
For nearly three decades, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) simplified “Type A” Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations were available more in theory than in practice, constrained by dated models, narrow geographic applicability and a $100,000 cap that rarely matched the economics of modern environmental claims. DOI has now finalized revisions to the Type A natural resource damages assessment procedures under 43 C.F.R. Part 11 for hazardous substance releases under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA), with the final rule published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2026 and scheduled to become effective August 12, 2026. As discussed previously, DOI has sought to modernize what it views as an “inefficient and inflexible” process and restore the Type A procedure to its intended role as a more streamlined pathway for smaller, less contentious NRD claims. The final rule adopts a $5 million default damages threshold, allows use above that amount if all parties agree, clarifies that Type A may be used in all environments and for all natural resource types, and removes legacy model appendices that had tethered the process to outdated formulas. Reprinted courtesy of Amanda G. Halter, Pillsbury, Ashleigh K. 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 Read the full story...

Judge's Order Halts Google Data Center Project in Minnesota

July 27, 2026 — Annemarie Mannion - Engineering News-Record
Construction of a $1-billion Google data center planned by Ryan Cos. on 485 acres in southeastern Minnesota was expected to start in July but is now halted under a judge’s order. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Annemarie Mannion, Engineering News-Record
Ms. Mannion may be contacted at manniona@enr.com

Suit Limitation Provision Eliminates Wind Loss Claim

July 27, 2026 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
The insurer’s motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted after the insured failed to file suit against the insurer within the policy’s two-year suit limitation provision. Interstate Investments, LLC v. Mt. Hawley Ins Co., 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98108 (S.D. N. Y. May 4, 2026). On or before June 27, 2023, a wind, hail and rainstorm damaged Interstate’s property in Oklahoma. Interstate filed a claim under its policy with Mt. Hawley. The policy provided that New York law applied and contained a two- year suit limitation provision. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

California Enacts Change Order Fair Payment Act

March 24, 2026 — Michael J. Baker - Snell & Wilmer
For private works construction contracts entered on or after January 1, 2026, recent legislation establishes a claims and dispute resolution process for change orders. The law is codified at Civil Code § 8850. A synopsis of the pertinent provisions includes the following:

Submitting a Claim. Contractors or subcontractors must submit a detailed, documented claim when requesting additional time or payment.
Owner’s Response Time. The owner must meet and confer within thirty (30) days after receiving the claim. Within ten (10) days of meeting, the owner must provide a written statement identifying which portions of the claim are undisputed and which are disputed. An owner’s failure to respond is treated as disputing the entire claim.

Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Michael J. Baker, Snell & Wilmer
Mr. Baker may be contacted at mjbaker@swlaw.com

Contractor Dispute Resolution Framework and Prevention

July 06, 2026 — Construction Executive
WHAT DEFINES A CONTRACTOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION FRAMEWORK A contractor dispute resolution framework is a structured system of contractual terms, governance processes and escalation pathways designed to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts between contracting parties with minimal disruption to cost, schedule and performance. The framework operates as both a preventive control and a corrective mechanism. Preventive elements establish clarity i
Less Than Perfectly Drafted Endorsement Bars Flood Coverage

Residential Interior Decorator Was Entitled to Lien and Was Not Engaging in Unlicensed Contracting

Spring 2025 Environmental Update: New Cases, New Rules and Other Developments

Lumber Liquidators’ Home-Testing Methods Get EPA Scru
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules in Builder’s Implied Warranty of Habitability Case

Private Statutory Cause of Action Under Florida’s Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act

Project Delivery Methods: A Bird’s-Eye View

Federal District Court Dismisses Property Claim After Insured Allows Loss Location to Be Destroyed Prior to Inspection

Chambers USA 2021 Ranks White and Williams as a Leading Law Firm

Arizona Supreme Court Leaves Limits on Construction Defects Unclear

CDJ’s #5 Topic of the Year: Beacon Residential Community Association v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, et al.

EEOC Issues Anti-Harassment Guidance To Construction-Industry Employers

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane . . . No, It’s a Drone. Long Awaited FAA Drone Regulations Finally Take Flight

Fifth Circuit Holds Insurer Owes Duty to Defend Latent Condition Claim That Caused Fire Damage to Property Years After Construction Work

The United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, Finds Wrap-Up Exclusion Does Not Bar Coverage of Additional Insureds

EPA Looks to Reduce Embodied Carbon in Materials With $160M in Grants

South Carolina’s New Insurance Data Security Act: Pebbles Before a Landslide?

Surety’s Several Liability Under Bonds

When to Withhold Retention Payments on Private or Public Projects

Mandatory Energy Benchmarking is On Its Way

Colorado’s New Construction Defect Law Takes Effect in September: What You Need to Know

The Final Frontier Opens Up New Business Opportunities for Private Contractors

How to Protect a Construction-Related Invention

Bought a New Vacation Home? I’m So Sorry

Best Lawyers® Recognizes 38 White and Williams Lawyers

Mid-Session Overview of Colorado’s 2017 Construction Defect Legislation

ASCE's Architectural Engineering Institute Announces Winners of 2021 AEI Professional Project Award

Hospital Settles Lawsuit over Construction Problems

Hyundai to Pay 47M to Settle Construction Equipment's Alleged Clean Air Violations

Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (3/11/25) – An AI Inflection Point for Hotels, Investor Pivot in Build-to-Rent and Looming Legislation for Single-Family Investors

With an Eye Already in the Sky, Crane Camera Goes Big Data

Good News on Prices for Some Construction Materials

When a Request for Equitable Adjustment Should Be Treated as a Claim Under the Contract Disputes Act

Class Action Certification by Association for “Matters of Common Interest”

Revel Closing Shows Gambling Is No Sure Thing for Renewal

Municipal Ordinances Create Additional Opportunities for the Defense of Construction Defect Claims in Colorado

Judgment Stemming from a Section 998 Offer Without a Written Acceptance Provision Is Void

What You Need to Know About Notices of Completion, Cessation and Non-Responsibility

Eminent Domain Bomb Threats Made on $775M Alabama Highway Project

Mandatory Arbitration Provision Upheld in Construction Defect Case

Acord Certificates of Liability Insurance: What They Don’t Tell You Can Hurt You

Construction Industry Groups Challenge DOL’s New DBRA Regulations

Sausage-Making Often Relies on the Good Sense of the Chef Rather than the Recipe

Construction Contractors Must Understand Retainage In 2021

As Single-Family Homes Get Larger, Lots Get Smaller

Complying With Data Breach Regulations in the Construction Industry

How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Construction Litigation?

Disappointment on an Olympian Scale After Rio 2016 Summer Games

Proposed Florida Construction Defect Act

EPA Can't Evade Enviro Firm's $2.7M Cleanup Site Pay Claim, US Court Says

Lien Release Bonds – Remove Liens, But Not All Liability

Contractors: Revisit your Force Majeure Provisions to Account for Hurricanes

The Harmon Hotel Construction Defect Trial to Begin

Construction Litigation Roundup: “You Have No Class(ification)”

ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES