Experience

Energy & Technology

• On University-led open ocean Wave Energy Testing project, served as lead outside counsel for contract negotiation and dispute resolution. 
• Litigation recovery for Data Center owner on multimillion-dollar defect claims against contractor and design team following extensive depositions, significant law and motion practice, and ADR.
• On large Battery Energy Storage project in Southern California, negotiated dispute resolution of contract disputes and delay claims for EPC Contractor. 
• For owner of large Idaho Wind Energy project litigated claims of construction defects and design errors to successful resolution. 
• Contract and dispute resolution counsel to natural gas pipeline construction project Owner in NW Oregon. 
• Solar project recovery of over $1MM for material supplier client on dozens of mechanic’s liens across California.
• Collected lien and bond claims across four projects in four states despite bankruptcy filing by solar contractor.
• Drafted and negotiated all forms of Engineering, Procurement, & Construction contracts for solar, wind, wave, hydropower, and natural gas projects across the United States. 

Infrastructure

• Lead outside counsel litigating defect and delay claims for large general contractor on design-build 77,000-sf high-bay air force hangar project in Arizona. 
• Wastewater treatment plant litigation for large Oregon city owner including discovery, depositions, and dispute resolution of construction defect and delay claims. 
• Recovered on multimillion-dollar claims of differing site conditions and disputed change orders on a large public works sewer siphon under-river project for a heavy civil engineering contractor.
• Successfully defended an international general contractor from complex subcontractor extra work claims and Miller Act lawsuits on federal infrastructure projects.
• Assisted heavy highway and transportation contractor with claim preparation on state highway projects and in conjunction with state claims procedures.
• Won bid protest for general contractor on $33.5M federal construction project.

Hospitality & Education

• Professional sports and concert stadium venue negotiation of multimillion-dollar seat replacement and renovation contracts. 
• For luxury residences development in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, served as lead outside counsel for design and construction contract negotiation and claims administration.
• On resort destination hotel development in Moab, Utah, successfully negotiated multiple claims of defect and delay to resolution through ADR process.    
• For multiple winery clients in the Willamette Valley and Napa County, drafted and negotiated construction and design contracts and litigated claims to resolution.
• Ski lodge construction contract negotiation, administration, and claims litigation for multiple project Owners in multiple states. 
• Park City, Utah luxury hotel design and construction contracts and insurance negotiation.
• Litigated University’s design professional liability for student life residential building in large complex matter with dozens of fact and expert depositions leading to successful resolution through ADR. 
• College and university dorm, library, and sports complex construction and design contract drafting and negotiation. 
• Won California Court of Appeal decision affirming judgments obtained via dispositive motions in favor of a community college district and a large general contractor against a subcontractor’s claims for additional compensation.  (Unpublished decision.)
• Won arbitration award for a high-end residential contractor for unpaid work on a single-family home defeating adverse million-dollar claims for alleged defects, fraud, and misrepresentation.

Commercial Development

• In Park City shopping center development successfully arbitrated concrete and ADA construction defect claims against general contractor and subcontractor team. 
• Drafted and negotiated dozens of car dealership projects for large national automotive dealer Owner client. 
• For Idaho luxury shopping center development Owner recovered costs of repair due to defective lighting system construction. 
• Won multimillion-dollar construction defect damages arbitration award representing a Pacific Northwest multifamily property developer.
• Represented general contractor in large complex dispute over a commercial shopping center development and claims of unpaid change orders, construction and design defects, and delay claims.

Insurance & Residential

• Resolved complex construction defect, fraud, and misrepresentation damage claims for residential homeowner.
• Pursued and secured collection in bad-faith insurance litigation for owner/developer.
• Counseled owner clients on insurance coverage issues and policy tracking protocols.
• Successfully pursued insurance recovery for Oregon commercial business severely damaged by tornado event.
• Successfully defended Design Professionals from defective design claims on commercial projects.

Honors & Activities

Professional Honors & Activities

• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^® (Construction Law, Litigation—Construction), 2022–2024
• Member of practice group nationally ranked in Best Law Firms^®, 2010–2023
• Pro Bono Counsel, Legal Aid Services of Oregon—Volunteer Lawyers Project Night Clinic, 2012–present
• Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section Executive Committee Member, 2016–2022
• Member, Associates Council, Associated General Contractors—Oregon Columbia chapter, 2016–2022

Civic Activities

• Providence Portland Medical Foundation Board, 2018–present
• Riverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Elected Official, 2021–present
• Architecture Foundation of Oregon Board, 2017–2022
• Arts Council of Lake Oswego Board, 2014–2022
• Oregon Children’s Theater Board, 2014–2021
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Chapter Mentor and Leadership Training Faculty

Insights & Presentations

• “Beware of ‘Standard’ Contract Terms; Nothing Is ‘Standard,’” Daily Journal of Commerce, September 2023
• “Can a Contractor Simply Walk Off a Job?” Daily Journal of Commerce, October 2022
• “Going Through the Big ‘D’ in 2023: Delays, (Project) Divorces, and Those Darn Cost Increases,” Professional and Industry Associates Council, Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), October 2022
• “The Importance of Third-Party Beneficiary Clauses in Contracts,” Daily Journal of Commerce, September 2022
• “Construction Insurance: Common Coverage Mistakes and How To Correct Them,” Portland Business Journal, July 2022
• “Surety Bonds vs. Subcontractor Default Insurance” Daily Journal of Commerce, September 2021
• “Ensuring Your Construction Project Remains Insured,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2020
• “Be Aware (or Beware!) of Extended Mechanic’s Lien Rights,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2019
• “Claims, Contracts and the Common Law,” Construction Defect Litigation, The Seminar Group, May 2019
• “When ‘Art’ Strikes Development,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2018
• “Tips on Preventing and Handling Liens if (When?) the Market crashes,” The New Normal: Preparing for Portland’s New Development Trends, Stoel Rives LLP, October 2018
• “Easement Litigation: Easements by Implication and Prescription” (co-presenter), Easements and Access, The Seminar Group, June 2018
• “ConsensusDocs 200 Agreement and General Conditions: Claims, Limitation Periods, Disputes, and Resolution,” HalfMoon Education ConsensusDocs Workshop, February 2018
• “When Three’s Company, and Not a Crowd,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2017
• “Contract Review (Deal Makers/Deal Breakers),” Advanced Construction Law, Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section, October 2017
• “Alter Ego: The $5MM personal danger of neglecting corporate formalities and utilizing substandard building materials,” Stoel Rives LLP Ahead of Schedule blog, March 14, 2017
• “Year-End Insurance Review: Common Coverage Oversights,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2016
• “Are you SOL under Oregon SOLs?—A refresher on Oregon statutes of limitation and repose,” 21st Annual Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group, September 2016
• “A New Wrinkle In Time To Claim Construction Defects,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2016
• “Protections Against Subcontractor Defaults,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2015
• “Defect Considerations Unique to Apartments and Condominiums,” 20th Annual Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group, September 2015
• “Construction Default Rights & Remedies: Subcontractor Default Insurance and Bonding,” The Seminar Group, June 2015
• “Finishing Strong vs. Finishing Wrong: Tips and Traps for Project Completion,” Daily Journal of Commerce, March 2015
• “Condominiums: Opportunities and Pitfalls,” The Seminar Group, March 2015
• “Put in Writing When the Clock Starts Ticking,” Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2014
• “Resolving Disputes on Public Construction Projects,” HalfMoon Education, Inc., October 2014
• “Launching Into the Future with Design-Build and Integrated Project Delivery,” AGC Summer Convention, August 2014
• “The Art of Negotiation,” (Joint Presentation with Pinnell/Busch, Inc.), AGC Summer Convention, August 2014
• “Retention Rule Change May Have Unintended Consequences,” Daily Journal of Commerce, March 2014
• “Owners & Developers Tips & Traps for Finishing Strong vs. Finishing Wrong,” Stoel Rives LLP, October 2013
• “Contractual Duty to Defend Kicks In When? Parties Should Clearly Define Parameters in Construction Contracts to Mitigate Risk of Costly Litigation,” Daily Journal of Commerce, July 2013
• “No Contractor’s License Means You Work For Free,” Stoel Rives LLP Ahead of Schedule blog, April 30, 2013
• “New for 2013! California Form Interrogatories—Construction Litigation (DISC-005),” Stoel Rives LLP Ahead of Schedule blog, November 1, 2012
• “Oregon’s Prompt Pay Acts Strengthened and Clarified in 2012,” Stoel Rives LLP Ahead of Schedule blog, March 22, 2012
• “Labor Lost, The Consequences of Performing Contractor Work In California Without A License,” Leonidou & Rosin, Professional Corporation, Construction Law Newsletter, Fall 2009

Related News & Publications