ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

Florida’s Proposed HB 255: A Quiet Shift That Could Reshape Condo Defect Liability

January 21, 2026 — Matt Maranges - ConsensusDocs
In Florida, developers and contractors work under strict clocks. Section 95.11(3)(b), Florida Statutes, sets two firm deadlines for construction claims: a four-year statute of limitations and a seven-year statute of repose. Those timelines govern when an owner or condominium association may pursue claims for alleged defects. Once the repose period ends, the claim is barred regardless of when the problem surfaced. Condominium law complicates that scheme. Section 718.124 delays the start of the limitation and repose periods on association claims until control of the board shifts from the developer to the unit owners. The logic is simple: a developer-controlled board cannot be expected to sue the developer. The practical effect is more sweeping. If turnover occurs late in the life of a project, the repose period may remain tolled for years, extending exposure far beyond the seven years that apply everywhere else. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Matt Maranges, Jones Walker
Mr. Maranges may be contacted at mmaranges@joneswalker.com

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The Court Rules in Favor of Partners Benjamin Price and Ajay Ahluwalia’s Arbitration Ruling Awarding Damages!

September 23, 2025 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
The action involved a large-scale tenant improvement project for a manufacturing facility in Los Angeles County. BWB&O’s client served as the general contractor for the project. During the project, the owner terminated the construction contract for cause. The general contractor, through BWB&O, initiated arbitration proceedings asserting claims for Breach of Contract and Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing. BWB&O argued there was no basis for termination and thus, per the terms of the contract, the owner was liable for approximately $700,000.00 in termination costs incurred by BWB&O’s client. The owner asserted counterclaims against BWB&O’s client for Breach of Contract, Negligence, Breach of Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, Malicious Prosecution, and Declaratory Relief, seeking no less than $1,500,000.00. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP

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Newmeyer Dillion Announces Jacqueline McCalla as Its Newest Partner

February 02, 2026 — Newmeyer Dillion
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. – January 28, 2026 – Prominent business and real estate law firm Newmeyer Dillion is pleased to announce that Walnut Creek attorney Jacqueline McCalla has been elected to partnership. Jacqueline focuses her practice on business and construction litigation. In her practice, Jacqueline takes pride in assisting businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs in various matters whether it be a pre-litigation matter or in litigation, from case inception through trial. She represents developers, builders, and contractors in complex, multi-party disputes involving a variety of residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. Jacqueline's practice also includes litigating insurance disputes. Jacqueline leverages her past experience advocating for both carriers and insureds to now help companies better understand their policies and stay protected. "Since joining the firm, Jacqueline has been a thoughtful, hardworking, and solutions-oriented attorney who consistently delivers great results for our clients," said Managing Partner Paul Tetzloff. "It's no surprise that clients value her work and actively seek her out." Jacqueline earned a B.A. in Legal Studies from University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D., from University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. About Newmeyer Dillion For over 40 years, Newmeyer Dillion has delivered creative and outstanding legal solutions and trial results that achieve client objectives in diverse industries. With over 60 attorneys working as a cohesive team to represent clients in all aspects of business, employment, real estate, environmental/land use, and insurance law, Newmeyer Dillion delivers holistic and integrated legal services tailored to propel each client's operations, growth, and profits. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with offices in Walnut Creek, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, Newmeyer Dillion attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©, and Super Lawyers as top tier and some of the best lawyers in California and Nevada, and have been given Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review's AV Preeminent® highest rating. For additional information, call 949.854.7000 or visit www.newmeyerdillion.com.

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California Court Affirms $1.8 Million Judgment Against HOA for Failing to Investigate and Remediate Water Intrusion

November 04, 2025 — Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
When an HOA ignores its duties under its covenants and restrictions, the consequences can be devastating. In Ridley v. Rancho Palma Grande Homeowners Association (Cal. Ct. App., Aug. 28, 2025, No. H052560), a Santa Clara couple secured a $1.8 million judgment after their condominium was rendered uninhabitable due to water intrusion, mold, and a sinkhole caused by an abandoned well beneath the property. The Court of Appeal upheld the judgment, finding that the HOA’s delay, deception, and failure to act breached its duties under the CC&Rs. What Went Wrong at Rancho Palma Grande HOA Retirees Doug Ridley and Sherry Shen owned a condominium in Santa Clara County. In 2018, their tenants discovered persistent water pooling in the crawlspace beneath the unit - part of the building’s common area under the HOA’s control. The issue worsened over time, culminating in severe water damage, mold growth, and ultimately, a sinkhole beneath the living room floor. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP

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House Passes ABC-Supported Permitting Reform Legislation

February 02, 2026 — ABC - Construction Executive
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18—Associated Builders and Contractors applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing two comprehensive, ABC-supported permitting reform bills: H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act, and H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act. Reprinted courtesy of ABC, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the full story...

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Kahana Feld Partner Pascal Arteaga Achieves Prestigious TBLS Construction Law Board Certification

January 21, 2026 — Kahana Feld
Kahana Feld is pleased to announce that partner Pascal Arteaga has successfully passed the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) Construction Law Board Certification Exam—one of the most rigorous specialty certifications in the state. The exam tests deep knowledge of construction-related statutes, contracts, claims, and project delivery systems and is only available to attorneys who first meet demanding experience, continuing legal education, and peer-reference requirements. This achievement reflects Pascal’s extensive experience across critical areas of construction law and his dedication to providing top-level service to his clients. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Kahana Feld

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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

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Kahana Feld Secures Voluntary Discontinuance With Prejudice in High-Exposure Trip-and-Fall Case

December 22, 2025 — Kahana Feld
Kahana Feld partners Rachael Marvin and Dominic Donato recently achieved a significant victory in Kings County obtaining a voluntary discontinuance with prejudice of a high-exposure trip-and-fall lawsuit just before oral argument on defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff claimed they were injured after tripping on an allegedly worn and cracked exterior stair at the clients’ property. However, through careful investigation and strategic motion practice, our team argued that the accident did not occur on the defendants’ premises, but instead on a nearby MTA subway platform, as identified by eyewitness accounts and plaintiff’s medical records. Additionally, our defense medical expert opined that the plaintiff’s severe leg injuries were inconsistent with the claimed fall location—supporting our position that the alleged incident could not have happened as described. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Kahana Feld

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