| Government Claims Act does not apply to actions solely seeking declaratory relief | 
 | 
Oct. 10, 2025 | 
| Summer reading: A swimming pool case with a cold splash of reality | 
Contracts,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Sep. 11, 2025 | 
| Summer reading: A swimming pool case with a cold splash of reality | 
Construction
 | 
Aug.  7, 2025 | 
| 9th Circuit navigates the twists and turns of the federal and state False Claims Acts | 
Government,
Contracts,
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
 | 
Jul.  8, 2025 | 
| Homeowner who wins against swimming pool contractor gets splash of cold water | 
Construction
 | 
Jun.  3, 2025 | 
| The False Claims Act in action: What Hendrix v. J-M reveals | 
Construction,
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
 | 
May  9, 2025 | 
| You say tomato, I say to-mah-to | 
Construction
 | 
Apr.  9, 2025 | 
|  Chain reaction: Who's really at fault in the scissor lift fall? | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Construction
 | 
Mar.  5, 2025 | 
| Why hirers can't escape liability under the Privette doctrine | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Labor/Employment
 | 
Feb. 14, 2025 | 
| Close enough doesn't cut it: Why precision matters in government claims | 
Government,
Civil Procedure
 | 
Jan.  7, 2025 | 
| Cracks in the code: When design meets construction and blame | 
Construction
 | 
Dec.  4, 2024 | 
| California court upholds debarment of contractors for apprenticeship violations | 
Construction
 | 
Nov. 12, 2024 | 
| General contractor and project owner held liable after worker attacked on job site | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Construction
 | 
Oct.  9, 2024 | 
| Lawsuit by families of Pepperdine students could put recent State Supreme Court case to the test | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Construction,
California Supreme Court
 | 
Sep. 23, 2024 | 
| Get ready for increased street signage | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Government
 | 
Sep. 10, 2024 | 
| Contractor loses arbitration victory due to licensing violation | 
Construction
 | 
Aug.  2, 2024 | 
| Second lawsuit against roofing contractor barred by claim preclusion | 
Construction
 | 
Jul.  8, 2024 | 
| Brown v. Beach House Design & Development provides a cautionary tale for contractors | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Construction
 | 
May  7, 2024 | 
| The fall of the Privette doctrine in landlord-tenant relationships | 
Real Estate/Development
 | 
Apr.  8, 2024 | 
| California court interprets ‘good faith dispute’ exception for prompt payment penalties | 
Contracts,
Construction
 | 
Mar. 13, 2024 | 
| Payment bond sureties’ right to attorneys’ fees clarified | 
Construction
 | 
Feb.  5, 2024 | 
| When it comes to collective bargaining agreements, PAGA is just different | 
Labor/Employment
 | 
Jan.  9, 2024 | 
| A rural water district, arsenic-laden drinking water, and a story you can’t make up | 
Contracts
 | 
Dec. 18, 2023 | 
| ABC, It's Easy As 123 - Or Is It Really Under The Mejia Case?    | 
Labor/Employment
 | 
Nov. 15, 2023 | 
| Questioning protocols of an expert witness takes a turn | 
Expert Advice,
Evidence,
Construction
 | 
Oct. 10, 2023 | 
| Trees cut down by unlicensed contractors may make a sound, but not the sounds of money | 
Contracts,
Construction
 | 
Sep. 11, 2023 | 
| An opposing party’s payment of jury fees doesn’t guarantee a right to trial | 
Law Practice,
Constitutional Law
 | 
Aug. 10, 2023 | 
| Unwritten construction contracts are as risky as a triple dog dare and a frozen pole | 
Contracts
 | 
Jul.  7, 2023 | 
| Supreme Court remands Palos Verdes bicycle accident case back to trial court, to address failure to warn claim | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Government
 | 
Jun.  7, 2023 | 
| Three insurance firms battle it out over indemnification | 
Insurance
 | 
May  4, 2023 | 
| A case study in what not to do when amending complaints | 
Law Practice,
Civil Procedure,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Apr. 10, 2023 | 
| Pending-license, construction company not subject to B&P Code 7031 | 
Government,
Constitutional Law
 | 
Mar.  9, 2023 | 
| Subcontractor not bound to arbitrate under incorporation clause | 
Litigation & Arbitration,
Construction
 | 
Feb.  6, 2023 | 
| Post-settlement third party reports are likely binding | 
Construction,
Alternative Dispute Resolution
 | 
Jan. 11, 2023 | 
| Simple construction dispute turns into ugly McMansion of a case | 
Ethics/Professional Responsibility,
Construction
 | 
Dec. 14, 2022 | 
| Insurance contract terms can push its coverage off a cliff | 
Insurance,
Construction
 | 
Nov.  9, 2022 | 
| Design immunity doesn’t always shield liability from failure to warn | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Government,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Oct.  4, 2022 | 
| Hypothetical scenarios don’t create standing | 
Law Practice,
California Courts of Appeal,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Sep.  7, 2022 | 
| Municipal design immunity is tough to beat, even for the injured | 
Law Practice,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Aug.  8, 2022 | 
| The Right to Repair Act – when and for whom does it apply? | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jul.  6, 2022 | 
| Prime contractors need to ensure subcontractors are licensed | 
Contracts,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Jun.  2, 2022 | 
| Job order contracting and public works projects | 
Real Estate/Development,
Land Use,
Contracts
 | 
May  4, 2022 | 
| Multiple mechanics liens, is it offense or defense who prevails? | 
Contracts
 | 
Apr.  5, 2022 | 
| Despite admission, roadway contractor can’t avoid liability | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Mar.  8, 2022 | 
| Unlicensed contractor work can lead to nasty disputes, harsh remedies | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Feb.  8, 2022 | 
| Lien, lien, lien on me, and don't forget your attorney fees | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jan.  4, 2022 | 
| What’s ‘willful’ when it comes to construction litigation? | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Dec.  7, 2021 | 
| Beware: Higher-tiered parties can be liable for interfering with lower-tiered parties’ contracts | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Nov.  9, 2021 | 
| Ruling weighs in on harsh, unjust, draconian and enforceable remedy | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Oct.  5, 2021 | 
| Cautionary tale: unlicensed contractor dodges a bullet | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Sep.  8, 2021 | 
| Insurers’ obligations versus indemnitees’ obligations | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Aug.  3, 2021 | 
| Construction Corner: Enter equitable subrogation | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jul. 15, 2021 | 
| Construction Corner: ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ edition | 
Construction
 | 
Jun.  2, 2021 | 
| Ruling examines enforceability of ‘pay-when-paid’ provisions | 
Construction
 | 
May  5, 2021 | 
| Mechanics liens, real property and contractual interest | 
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Apr.  8, 2021 | 
| ‘Substantial completion’ in construction defect cases | 
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Mar.  2, 2021 | 
| A major difference in construction payment remedies? Timing. | 
Constitutional Law,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Feb.  3, 2021 | 
| Under what circumstances may a party ‘supplement’ its experts? | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Jan.  5, 2021 | 
| Can a public entity demand substitution of a subcontractor? | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Dec.  3, 2020 | 
| Appellate ruling confirms duty to defend is immediate | 
Construction,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Nov.  4, 2020 | 
| Privette doctrine rulings could be an appellate split in the making | 
Torts/Personal Injury,
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Oct.  6, 2020 | 
| B&P Section 7031: A powerful remedy, but not a shield | 
Construction
 | 
Sep.  2, 2020 | 
| Fairness does not always follow justice, including in construction law | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Aug.  4, 2020 | 
| When are contractor actions ‘willful’ under enforcement statutes? | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jul.  1, 2020 | 
| Beware the difference between design, performance specifications | 
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jun.  3, 2020 | 
| Substitution hearings under the Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
May  7, 2020 | 
| Give pause before requesting ‘damages according to proof’ | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Apr. 14, 2020 | 
| When insurers stand in the shoes of insureds for all purposes | 
Insurance,
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Mar.  5, 2020 | 
| Ruling in defect case is a lesson in purchase agreement drafting | 
Construction,
Civil Litigation
 | 
Feb.  4, 2020 | 
| Contractor receives not one, but two lumps of coal | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Jan.  3, 2020 | 
| Class actions under California’s Right to Repair Act | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Dec.  5, 2019 | 
| Privette won’t always shield general contractors from liability | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Nov. 11, 2019 | 
| It’s tough to be a concrete supplier under California labor laws | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Oct.  8, 2019 | 
| Can losing bidders ever recover preparation costs? | 
Construction
 | 
Sep.  4, 2019 | 
| When homeowners can find themselves liable as an employer | 
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Aug.  6, 2019 | 
| Federal construction contractors, prevailing wages and SB 954 | 
Civil Litigation,
Labor/Employment,
Construction,
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
 | 
Jul.  2, 2019 | 
| Before heading to court, read the directions (or here, statutes) | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Jun.  7, 2019 | 
| Ruling should put an end to confusion over prompt-payment laws | 
 | 
May  7, 2019 | 
| Ruling highlights rationale of the design immunity defense | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Apr.  4, 2019 | 
| Liability for injuries to employees of an independent contractor | 
 | 
Mar.  6, 2019 | 
| Actual and economic damages in construction defect cases | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Feb.  6, 2019 | 
| Suggestion for your 2019 reading list: Your insurance policy | 
Civil Litigation,
Insurance,
Construction
 | 
Jan.  3, 2019 | 
| Designing claims against architects | 
 | 
Dec.  5, 2018 | 
| Litigating construction cases can be like making sausages | 
Construction,
Civil Rights
 | 
Nov.  5, 2018 | 
| The complicated history of asbestos regulation in the United States | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Oct.  2, 2018 | 
| Are you sure that private project isn’t public works? | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Sep.  6, 2018 | 
| Elon Musk: Eccentric engineer. Technology billionaire. And now, litigation savant | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Aug. 13, 2018 | 
| Insuring ongoing operations | 
Civil Litigation,
Insurance,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jul. 10, 2018 | 
| California courts are wrestling with lease-leaseback posers | 
Civil Litigation,
Government,
Construction
 | 
Jun. 12, 2018 | 
| State Supreme Court mends split on contractor-subcontractor disputes | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction,
California Supreme Court
 | 
May 17, 2018 | 
| Can an intentional act really result in an accident? | 
Civil Litigation,
Insurance,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
May  8, 2018 | 
| A win for broad indemnity (and defense) provisions | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Apr. 10, 2018 | 
| Despite loss in Right to Repair Act ruling, homeowners have options | 
Real Estate/Development,
Construction,
California Supreme Court,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Mar. 13, 2018 | 
| Intentional interference claims and losing bidders | 
Civil Litigation,
Corporate,
Construction,
California Supreme Court
 | 
Feb. 13, 2018 | 
| A lesson on the possibility of coverage existing | 
Civil Litigation,
Insurance,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jan. 11, 2018 | 
| How far will litigants stretch Right to Repair Act ruling? | 
Corporate,
Construction,
California Supreme Court,
Appellate Practice
 | 
Dec. 12, 2017 | 
| When the Right to Repair Act applies to suppliers | 
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Nov.  7, 2017 | 
| The original intent of the Privette doctrine | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Oct. 10, 2017 | 
| Indemnity provisions: a powerful tool in a contractor’s toolkit | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Sep. 12, 2017 | 
| Subcontractors and indemnity provisions | 
Civil Litigation,
Construction
 | 
Aug.  8, 2017 | 
| Ruling shows the battle of the many construction contracts | 
Contracts,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
Jul. 11, 2017 | 
| 'Buy American, Hire American' and construction in California                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 
Real Estate/Development
 | 
Jun.  8, 2017 | 
| 'Buy American, Hire American' and construction in California | 
Construction
 | 
Jun.  6, 2017 | 
| Promissory estoppel claims and public works bid disputes                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 
Corporate,
Construction,
California Courts of Appeal
 | 
May 10, 2017 | 
| Courts won't enforce it just because it's in your policy                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 
Insurance
 | 
Apr. 12, 2017 | 
| California's gender-neutral bathroom law takes effect                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 
Civil Rights
 | 
Mar.  7, 2017 | 
| New public works project dispute resolution process                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 
Construction
 | 
Feb. 15, 2017 | 
| Prompt payment statutes are a shield, not a sword                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 
Perspective
 | 
Jan. 11, 2017 | 
| 'Tis the season of giving, but not for contractors                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 
GC Email
 | 
Dec. 14, 2016 | 
| When is your project 'complete' under California law?                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 
Perspective
 | 
Nov.  9, 2016 | 
| California protects contractor payments, but with a price                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 
Construction
 | 
Oct. 12, 2016 | 
| When liability reaches project owners                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 
Construction
 | 
Sep. 14, 2016 |