LITIGATION

Construction

Our construction litigation group handles a range of disputes, such as contract and delay claims, construction defects, design malpractice, mechanics’ liens and performance bond claims. We also handle a variety of related real estate and insurance coverage disputes. We most often represent developers and property owners in these disputes, but we have also represented builders, contractors, lenders, design professionals, property managers and commercial tenants.

Representative engagements include:

• Prosecuting delay claims on behalf of the developer of a large condominium and commercial development, while defending homeowner class actions;
• Defending a developer who allegedly promulgated an inaccurate budget for a luxury condominium complex;
• Prosecuting landslide and subsidence claims on behalf of businesses and property owners against developers, adjoining property owners and construction companies and prosecuting inverse condemnation claims against responsible public entities;
• Representing property owners in construction defect claims; and
• Assessing and pursuing insurance coverage on behalf of developer and contractor defendants.

Our construction lawyers are experienced not only in state, federal and bankruptcy court litigation, but also in alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration, mediation and the use of special masters and private judges. We make frequent use of voluntary mediation and take pride in cutting to the key issues. We are well-known and respected by the leading construction mediators in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Construction disputes often involve technical issues in specialized fields, such as soils engineering, structural engineering, failure analysis, or critical path construction scheduling. Our construction group has the experience necessary to locate and retain the appropriate forensic experts for virtually any construction dispute, whether expertise is required in design, engineering, construction management, construction accounting, or any related field.

HIGHLIGHTS

Seven Shartsis Friese partners were chosen as The Best Lawyers in America 2008 by Woodward/White, Inc. more >>

“Poisoned Ivy”: Charitable trust case against Princeton highlighted in WSJ. more >>

Cristina Rubke, a second-year associate at San Francisco’s Shartsis Friese, works on the firm’s biggest case, representing minority members  more >>

In a case closely watched by the alternative dispute resolution community, the California Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court decision today.   more >>

LITIGATION STRATEGY
by Chip Rice

Most lawyers find it hard to get excited about preparing for a direct examination of a friendly witness. It’s not nearly as much fun as cross-examination or oral argument or any other task that allows us to be the center of attention. more >>

Originally published in The Recorder

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