EXPERT WITNESS 1989-2022
Year: 2022
Case Name: One West Hellman, LLC v. SLA Architects and Cal Land Engineering, Inc
Location: 1 and 15 Hellman Ave., Alhambra, California
Client/Attorney: Christine Chou, Esq., Law Offices of Edward C. Ip & Associates
Work Description: Standard of Care for Architect and Civil Engineer on 3-story, 13,280sf medical condominium project with 72 parking spaces, 46 of which are underground, in conflict with Caltrans easement for 48” and 18” diameter below grade storm water drain pipes.
Year: 2022
Case Name: RGC Gaslamp, LLC v. Rottet Studios, LLC
Location: Pendry Hotel in San Diego, California
Client/Attorney: Ted Levin, Esq. and Tala Rezai, Esq., Clark Hill LLP
Work Description: Standard of Care design and ADA issues on interior design of 317-room boutique hotel “considered the most luxurious in downtown San Diego”, with pool deck, spa, and restaurants
Year: 2021-22
Case Name: 2630 Strongs Drive
Location: Venice, California 90291
Client/Attorney: Matthew Hoesly, Dhillon Law Group Inc
Work Description: City of Los Angeles Building Code violations on design and construction of open, glazed interior stairway from ground level to rooftop deck causing injury in custom single family home constructed in 2008 along the Venice Canals.
Year: 2021-22
Case Name: Telenet VolP, Inc. v. Montebello USD
Location: Los Angeles, California
Client/Attorney: Paul Sande, Esq., Orbach Huff Suarez Henderson LLP
Work Description: Standard of Care obligations for full-service Program Management and Construction Management (PM/CM) firm on CA public works (K-12) project for Districtwide Network Cabling Upgrade requiring DSA approval.
Year: 2021-20
Case Name: Anthony Hicks Wrongful Death
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Client/Attorney: Jay Sadd, Esq., Slappey & Sadd, LLC
Work Description: Architect’s Standard of Care and Building Code requirements regarding fatal accident of child falling through unprotected 5th floor window opening in newly built apartment complex recently acquired by new ownership.
Year: 2021
Case Name: Ali Dashti v. Cal Pacific Construction, Inc.
Location: Burbank, California
Client/Attorney: Roger Daneshi, Esq., Bleau Fox, a PLC
Work Description: Construction project management for gas station renovation, involving Industry Standards for General Contractor, project scheduling and GC’s failure to perform.
Year: 2021-20
Case Name: 2018 Woolsey Fire Litigation
Location: Malibu, California
Client/Attorney: Brianna Strange, Esq., Strange & Butler LLP
Work Description: Fire reconstruction and cost estimating for single-family home replacement following 2018 Woolsey Fire.
Year: 2020
Case Name: Ronald Aarons v. Rodger Ebrahimi
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Client/Attorney: Elliot Stone, Esq., Law Offices of Elliott H. Stone
Work Description: Testify in Van Nuys Superior Court regarding Architect’s Standard of Care on luxury single-family home development, and unpaid fees for professional services.
Year: 2020
Case Name: James Holbrook v. R.D. Olson Construction; Hyatt Regency Hotel
Location: Long Beach, California
Client/Attorney: Brett G. Moore, Esq., Christensen Hsu Sipes, LLP
Work Description: Architect’s Standard of Care and Building Industry Standards involving slip and fall-type accident in hotel room.
Year: 2019
Case Name: Kemp v. Wallis Annenberg Center
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Client/Attorney: Amit Palta, Esq., Law Office of Kirk & Meyers
Work Description: Certificate of Merit and related Architect’s Standard of Care involving slip and fall accident occurring on Performing Arts Center campus.
Year: 2019-18
Case Name: Park Place v. Mesh LLC
Location: Long Beach, California
Client/Attorney: Curd, Galindo & Smith, LLP
Work Description: FF&E Contractor failed to complete scope of work (“world class finish”) by completion date, delaying opening date causing hotel ownership economic losses.
Year: 2019
Case Name: Hamilton v. Baxley
Location: Newport Beach, California
Client/Attorney: Adesh Singh, Esq., P.K. Schrieffer LLP
Work Description: Building Code compliance and recent stair construction involving slip and fall accident on stairs at Airbnb residence.
Year: 2019
Case Name: 878 E. 176th St. Owner, LLC v. Carlyle Holdings, LLC
Location: Los Angeles, California
Client/Attorney: David Krogh, Esq., Coldwell Banker
Work Description: Real estate development dispute between Buyer and Seller regarding Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning in Carthay Circle neighborhood of Los Angeles and Architect’s Standard of Care.
Year: 2018
Case Name: Medina v. New Start Treatment and Recovery
Location: Los Angeles County, CA
Client/Attorney: Christopher Zopatti, Esq., CTSC Law
Work Description: Building Code requirements and Architect’s Standard of Care for multiple locations of residential addiction recovery center facilities.
Year: 2018
Case Name: Fisher, et al. v. CAMC
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Client/Attorney: Matthew Berhold, Esq., Berthold Law Firm
Work Description: Provide expert witness testimony and deposition regarding building codes, construction industry standards, and standard of care for pedestrian ramp, sidewalk and building entrance at Charleston Area Medical Center where patient incurred injury due to uneven pavement.
Year: 2018
Case Name: 3500 Sepulveda v. RREEF
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Client/Attorney: Lara Leitner, Esq., Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell
Work Description: Prepare 35-page report with digital renderings in response to lawsuit between national real estate investment trust (shopping centers) and adjacent commercial property owner, involving renovation and expansion of Manhattan Village Shopping Center and Macy’s Department Store. Opine on the design and construction impacts the project has on neighboring property and tenants, as related to prior “Construction, Operation and Reciprocal Easement Agreement” (COREA) and “Settlement Agreement” between parties in lawsuit.
Year: 2018
Case Name: Mission City Community Network v. Zakian Woo Architects
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Client/Attorney: John Hickman, Esq., Esquire Corporate Services
Work Description: Provide expert witness services regarding construction industry standards and architect standard of care for proposed lawsuit by Medical Group against Architect of Record.
Year: 2017 - 2018
Case Name: Yoav Aztman v. Efraim Oren, et al., Cross- Defendant and Cross-Complainant: City of Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Client/Attorney: Mei-Mei Cheng, Esq., Office of the City Attorney
Work Description: Provide real estate development, design & construction cost estimating services to Los Angeles City Attorney in connection with lawsuit against real estate developer. Prepare schematic design and cost estimation to develop, design and build 50-unit affordable housing project with 50 parking spaces on multiple DTLA properties, to facilitate settlement agreement with City of Los Angeles
Year: 2017 - 2018
Case Name: Jennifer Kim v. Crunch LLC
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Client/Attorney: Jie Lien, Esq., Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Canter
Work Description: Provide expert witness testimony regarding building codes, industry standards, and architect standard of care for design of fitness facility where member slipped and fell in locker room.
Year: 2017
Case Name: Havenhurst Homes v. David Mordock
Location: Encino, CA
Client/Attorney: Rodney T. Lewin, Esq.
Work Description: Financial analysis of development and construction costs on behalf of Limited Partners for 9-unit single family home.
Year: 2016 - 2017
Case Name: Yeum v. Wynmark
Location: Goleta, CA
Client/Attorney: Mark Norman, Esq., Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Cantor
Work Description: Site design and standard of care issues involving path of travel for disabled pedestrian struck by motor vehicle at regional shopping center.
Year: 2016 - 2017
Case Name: Barrett v. Broad Green Pictures
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Client/Attorney: Scott Malzahn, Esq., Baker Marquart
Work Description: Architectural design, standard of care issues and project construction costs for proposed hillside ultra-luxury residence in Hollywood Hills.
Year: 2013 - 2016
Case Name: Confederated Tribes Great Wolf (CTGW) v. GSBS Architects
Location: Grand Mound, Washington
Client/Attorney: Aaron Kastens, Esq., Benjamin Kaplan, Esq., Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Work Description: Review construction documentation including plans and specifications, prior depositions, and testify in court regarding preparation of 30+ page report itemizing Standard of Care issues of design professionals on $100+ million project, 398-room Hotel Resort with indoor/outdoor Water Park and Conference Center.
Year: 2015 - 2016
Case Name: Modica v. Cal K-12 Construction
Location: San Bernardino County
Client/Attorney: Kirk Lauby, Esq., Fernandez & Lauby
Work Description: Review project documentation including depositions, and prepare written report regarding Standard of Care for Construction Management firm representing pubic school district, due to jobsite subcontractor fatality during construction.
Year: 2014 - 2015
Case Name: Wahl v. Perellis
Location: Montecito, California
Client/Attorney: Christopher Haskell, Esq., Price, Postel & Parma
Work Description: Review project documentation and depositions, prepare written report, and testify in court regarding professional services' Standard of Care and Construction Industry Standards during custom single family home construction.
Year: 2014
Case Name: SP3 Rincon Owner v. 401 Harrison Investor
Location: San Francisco, California
Client/Attorney: Aaron Gundzik, Esq., Gartenberg Gelfand Hayton & Selden
Work Description: Review project invoices, development costs, financial records and Cost Sharing Agreement (CSA) prior to testimony in Deposition regarding 'Hard' versus 'Soft' costs for phased development and construction of 60-story and 50-story residential towers in San Francisco.
Year: 2014
Case Name: Digital Realty Trust v. Capstar Commercial Real Estate
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Client/Attorney: Adam Koss, Esq., Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeny
Work Description: In a case where the General Contractor and Property Management team (nine individuals) were sentenced to prison terms for engaging in $10.4 million fraudulent billing and kickback scheme, review project documents to determine whether third-party Construction Manager/Owner’s Representative should have suspected fraudulent invoices, change orders, certificates for payment, etc. from 6 non-existent (sham) subcontractors who provided no work and no material.
Year: 2014
Case Name: Milton Holdings, LLC v. MPA Architects
Location: Lake Forest, California
Client/Attorney: Heritage Montessori School, Mitchell Milstein, Esq.
Work Description: Review plans, specifications and Owner-Architect Agreement to determine whether Architect revised permitted drawings without Owner’s approval in order to reduce construction costs on behalf of General Contractor.
Year: 2013 - 2014
Case Name: Geoffrey Chen v. The Regents of the University of California
Location: Irvine, California
Client/Attorney: David M. Gillen, Esq., Stephen M. Harber, Esq., McCune & Harber, LLP
Work Description: Review project documentation and visit site prior to my deposition regarding $26 million accident claim against University involving Standard of Care for Facilities Management at UCI.
Year: 2012 - 2013
Case Name: City of West Covina v. Yaeger Skanska & Heinbuch Golf
Location: West Covina, California
Client/Attorney: Robert J. Gokoo, Esq.
Work Description: Designated Construction Management Expert for Plaintiff, City of West Covina, regarding site grading and drainage improvements at Sport Park facility.
Year: 2011 - 2012
Case Name: Olive 8/RC Hedreen v. Mulvanny G2 Architecture
Location: Seattle, Washington
Client/Attorney: Brenda Molner, Esq., Ater Wynne LLP
Work Description: Prepare 35+ page report detailing Standard of Care issues for design professionals on 39-story hotel/condo tower in downtown Seattle, $160+ million project.
Year: 2011
Case Name: Persoon v. Union 76
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Client/Attorney: Eric A. Woosley, Esq.
Work Description: Testify in Deposition and Court regarding Standard of Care for Gas Station site planning and facility design industry standards.
Year: 2010 - 2011
Case Name: Ocean View School District (OVSD) v. ASR Constructors, Inc. et al.
Location: Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, California
Client/Attorney: Richard Fond, Esq., Bergman Dacey, Los Angeles
Work Description: Designated Construction Management Expert Witness for Plaintiff, OVSD, regarding design and construction of four (4) Middle-School Gymnasium; slab-on-grade with multiple sources of below-grade water intrusion, and resultant damages to flooring.
Year: April 2010 - December 2010
Case Name: Quincy Smith v. Mark Savel
Location: Los Angeles (Mid-Wilshire), California
Client/Attorney: Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt
Work Description: Architect Expert for Plaintiff regarding multi-family condominium development; claim architect delayed completion of project, allowed zoning entitlements to expire, and construction documents do not comply with zoning/planning approvals.
Year: 1996 - 99
Case Name: Harbour Island v. Shamrock
Location: Oxnard, California
Client/Attorney: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi/Murtuagh, Miller, Meyers & Nelson
Work Description: Investigate, evaluate and report on wide range of alleged construction defects. Assemble project team, conduct destructive testing, provide repair recommendations and cost estimates. Testify as expert witness during settlement proceedings.
Year: 1997 - 1998
Case Name: Tarzana Villa South
Location: Tarzana, California
Client/Attorney: Coast Management/Richard Sybert, Esq.
Work Description: Investigate and evaluate constructive deficiencies, prepare scope and cost estimate of recommended repairs. Testify as expert witness during arbitration proceedings.
Year: 1996 - 97
Case Name: 328 Pacific Street
Location: Santa Monica, California
Client/Attorney: Homeowner Association/Levin, Stein, Chyten & Schneider
Work Description: Identify, investigate and report on building construction defects including roofing, waterproofing, structural, acoustical and plumbing. Provide repair recommendations and cost estimates. Testify as expert witness during settlement proceedings.
Year: 1996
Case Name: Rose Court
Location: Pasadena, California
Client/Attorney: Rose Court Homeowner Association/Beven & Brock
Work Description: Investigate extent and cause of various construction deficiencies including poor drainage conditions and concrete curbs and flatwork. Recommend alternative solutions and estimate repair costs.
Year: 1996
Case Name: McKinley Childrens Center
Location: San Dimas, California
Client/Attorney: Canyon View Schools/Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton
Work Description: Identify, investigate and report on full range of design and construction deficiencies, most notably water intrusion and stucco defects. Prepare scope of repair work with estimated costs. Testify as expert witness during settlement conference.
Year: 1996
Case Name: Seascape II
Location: Redondo Beach, California
Client/Attorney: CNA/Long & Levit
Work Description: Prepare response to claims of defective construction.
Year: 1996
Case Name: Precision Earthworks
Location: Hacienda Heights, California
Client/Attorney: Farmers Insurance/Early, Maslach & Price
Work Description: Evaluate claims involving soil subsidence, earth settlement, concrete cracks and structural damage. Provide repair recommendations and cost estimates.
Year: 1993 - 96
Case Name: 928 19th Street
Location: Santa Monica, California
Client/Attorney: Behzad Kianmahd/Dennison, Bennett & Press
Work Description: Identify and investigate full range of alleged construction defects. Develop repair recommendations, alternative solutions and detailed cost estimates. Participate as expert witness in settlement proceedings.
Year: 1995 - 96
Case Name: The Oaks
Location: Del Rey Oaks, California
Client/Attorney: CNA/Cummings & White
Work Description: Evaluate alleged lath, plaster and drywalls subcontractor deficiencies. Determine extent and responsibility for claims, needed repairs and estimated costs.
Year: 1995 - 96
Case Name: Evergreen Country Villas
Location: Anaheim, California
Client/Attorney: CNA/Kirtland & Packard
Work Description: Prepare response to claims involving defective concrete slabs, flatwork, foundations, footings and project coordination. Estimate repair costs. Testify as expert witness during settlement proceedings.
Year: 1992 - 95
Case Name: Franciscan Villas
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Client/Attorney: Aetna/Henderson, Thomas & Borgeson
Work Description: Prepare 135-page response to claims of defective construction alleging 44 specific design and/or construction defects, valued at $7 million. Conduct extensive site investigation and destructive testing to determine precise cause and extent of alleged failures. Prepare cost estimate for repairs totaling $536,252. Participate as expert witness in mediation proceedings culminating in $1 million settlement.
Year: 1994 - 95
Case Name: Princess Court
Location: Long Beach, California
Client/Attorney: Penn American Insurance/Burns, Ammirato, et al.
Work Description: Prepare response to claims involving defective framing, roofing, waterproofing, plumbing and HVAC. Provide repair recommendations and estimated costs. Participate as expert witness in settlement proceedings.
Year: 1994 - 95
Case Name: Paseo Del Mar
Location: Ventura, California
Client/Attorney: M.J. Brock & Sons, Inc./Bruce Trent & Associates
Work Description: Investigate alleged construction defects, document location and extent, provide repair recommendations and cost estimates.
Year: 1993 - 95
Case Name: The Meadows
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Client/Attorney: Coats/Henderson & Angle
Work Description: Provide response to claims involving defective construction, earth movement and poor drainage. Recommended appropriate repairs and estimate reconstruction. Testify as expert witness during settlement proceedings.
Year: 1993 - 94
Case Name: South Bay Crest
Location: Torrance, California
Client/Attorney: South Bay Crest HOA/Wolf, Rifkin & Shapiro
Work Description: Inspect, investigate and report on scope of construction defects. Provide recommended repairs and estimated costs to mitigate damages. Testify as expert witness during mediation proceedings.
Year: 1992 - 93
Case Name: Village Niguel Terrace I
Location: El Toro, California
Client/Attorney: Village Niguel HOA/Fiore, Nordberg & Walker
Work Description: Present claims of construction deficiencies. Participate during settlement proceedings involving various responsible contractors.
Year: 1989 - 1992
Case Name: Promenade West
Location: Los Angeles, California
Client/Attorney: Goldrich & Kest/Levin, Stein & Chyten
Work Description: Prepare response, documentation, repair recommendations and cost estimates for full range of alleged construction deficiencies. Participate during destructive testing investigation and analysis. Coordinate expert reports.