Anaheim California Construction Expert Witness Directory

Quick Note: If You Want to Recover Attorney’s Fees In a Contractual Dispute, Include a Prevailing Party Attorney’s Fees Provision

January 21, 2026 — David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal Updates
If you want the ability to recover attorney’s fees in the event of a contractual dispute, include a prevailing party attorney’s fees. Negotiate this point on the front end. Not doing so will hinder your ability to make the argument that you should be entitled to attorney’s fees due to a breach of the contract. In a recent case, the prevailing party relied on an indemnification provision to create the argument for attorney’s fees even though the action had NOTHING to do with indemnity. This was shot down on appeal as a party can’t use an indemnification provision to create that attorney’s fees argument UNLESS the provision is expressly clear on this point. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of David Adelstein, Kirwin Norris
Mr. Adelstein may be contacted at dma@kirwinnorris.com

Court Resolves Disagreement on the Amount of the Deductible

December 02, 2025 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
After a windstorm caused damage to the insured’s building and repair materials, the court sided with the insured in determining the amount of the deductible. Semaho, Inc. v. AMCO Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 193521 (D. Colo. Sept. 30, 2025). Semaho owned two commercial buildings insured under a policy issued by AMCO. The buildings were damaged in a windstorm and Semaho’s contractor stored the building materials for the repairs on one building’s roof. A second windstorm then seriously damaged the building materials stored on the roof. Semaho submitted a claim for the lost building materials. Coverage was undisputed but the parties disagreed over which deductible should apply to Semaho’s claim. The key policy provision stated that the deductible should be calculated separately for the “building” and for certain categories of “personal property,” based on “the value(s) of the property that has sustained loss or damage.” Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

High-Rise Design and Construction: Then, Now, and Next

March 16, 2026 — Aarni Heiskanen - AEC Business
The Empire State Building was built in 14 months. Since 2010, the average completion time for a 200-meter-plus building has increased from 4.3 to 5.8 years. Buildings have become more complex, and there's more regulation than in the 1930s. Still, there are ways to make high-rise construction more efficient. An Unlikely Benchmark From 1930 When construction began on the Empire State Building on March 17, 1930, the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. That turned out to be an advantage. Contractors Starrett Brothers & Eken had access to a vast, motivated workforce, peaking at 3,439 workers on a single day in August 1930. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Aarni Heiskanen, AEC Business
Mr. Heiskanen may be contacted at aec-business@aepartners.fi

AI as Co-Counsel: How Litigators Can Leverage AI for Depositions, Experts, and Trial Preparation

November 21, 2025 — Debrán O’Neil - The Dispute Resolver
Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now, and the legal industry is no exception. It’s a regular feature at CLEs and in client discussions because lawyers are discovering that careful use can save both time and money. But AI is no longer reserved for e-discovery vendors. Litigators are using AI for trial preparation—helping identify themes, test case theories, summarize voluminous records, refine expert testimony, and streamline depositions. While AI is not able to read a witness, gauge credibility, or build trust with a jury like lawyers, it can make preparation more efficient and thorough and help present information in a more digestible and compelling way. Below are practical ways litigators can weave AI into their everyday litigation practice and not get left behind. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Debrán O’Neil, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P.
Ms. O'Neil may be contacted at doneil@ccsb.com

White House Explores Opening Antitrust Probe on Homebuilders

February 10, 2026 — Patrick Clark & Leah Nylen - Bloomberg
Trump administration officials are exploring opening an antitrust investigation into US homebuilders as the White House sharpens its focus on tackling the country’s housing affordability crisis. The Department of Justice could open the probe in the coming weeks, according to people familiar with the discussions. No decision has been made and the administration may abandon the effort without launching an investigation, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing non-public information. Reprinted courtesy of Patrick Clark, Bloomberg and Leah Nylen, Bloomberg Read the full story...

Insurer’s Late Notice Argument Fails Due to Lack of Prejudice

December 30, 2025 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
The court refused to dismiss the insured’s claim for hail damage based on late notice because the insurer failed to demonstrate it had suffered prejudice. Borene UMC v. Church Mut. Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 210767 (W.D. Texas Oct. 27, 2025). Boerne UMC owned multiple buildings that were allegedly damaged during a hailstorm that occurred in May 2021. In August 2022, Boerne hired a contractor to inspect the roofs. The contractor found damage to several roofs and HVAC units and prepared an estimate for repair of over $700,000. Boerne submitted a claim to its insurer, Church Mutual on November 17, 2022. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

PSA: Getting the First Mechanic’s Lien on a Project is a Plus

January 26, 2026 — Christopher G. Hill - Construction Law Musings
As those that read this construction law blog are aware, I am a big fan of mechanic’s liens as a way to get paid. These powerful and tricky beasts are a great way to get an owner’s attention and to put payment pressure on those that owe you money. Recently I was reminded that getting a lien prepared and recorded both carefully and quickly can be key to getting paid on a problem project. Not only should construction professionals keep the 150-day rule and the 90-day rule in mind, but they should also be quick on the trigger when it becomes clear that a mechanic’s lien will be necessary. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill
Mr. Hill may be contacted at chrisghill@constructionlawva.com

California Supreme Court Approves of Annual Civility Oath for Attorneys, Rejects Incivility As Basis for Disciplinary Measures

December 08, 2025 — Saul Lopez - Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
San Diego, Calif. (October 20, 2025) - Courts and lawmakers in California and across the country are continuing to grapple with the ongoing problem of incivility among lawyers. Nearly every week a new story is publicized in which an attorney is sanctioned or rebuked for sharp rhetoric in filings or combative behavior in the courtroom. The erosion of courtesy threatens not only collegiality but also the fair administration of justice. On July 20, 2023, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees made an effort to restore respect and decorum within the practice of law within the Golden State. It approved and sent proposed measures to improve the civility of attorneys in California to the California Supreme Court for review and approval. The proposed measures included: (1) changes to California Rule of Court 9.7 that would require attorneys to reaffirm their oath of civility annually; and, (2) amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct that would add acts of incivility as a basis for disciplinary measures against attorneys. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Saul Lopez, Lewis Brisbois
Mr. Lopez may be contacted at Saul.Lopez@lewisbrisbois.com

ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES