FEMA Administrator Slams Failures to Prepare, Evacuate Before Storms
October 23, 2018 —
Christopher Flavelle - BloombergFederal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long angrily criticized the failure of citizens to heed evacuation warnings and leaders to better prepare for natural disasters such as Hurricane Michael.
"It's frustrating to us because we repeat this same cycle over and over again," Long said during a press briefing Friday at FEMA headquarters in Washington. "If you want to live in these areas, you've got to do it in a more resilient fashion."
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Christopher Flavelle, Bloomberg
Newmeyer & Dillion Welcomes Three Associates to Newport Beach Office
January 26, 2017 —
Newmeyer & Dillion LLPNEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – JANUARY 24, 2017 – Enjoying rapid expansion in many primary practice areas, Newmeyer & Dillion LLP is pleased to welcome new associates
Jenny Guzman and
Jason Moberly Caruso, and welcomes back
Lily (Toubi) Razai to the Newport Beach office. The addition of these three associates fortifies the firm’s commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.
Firm Managing Partner,
Jeff Dennis, explained that each hire addresses the immediate and long-term needs of our clients, and firm's desire for strategic growth. "We always remain focused on what will allow us to better represent our clients, not just now but far into the future. We are excited to bring these three talented lawyers aboard as we continue to expand our capabilities across practice areas.”
Guzman, Caruso and Razai each practice business and real estate litigation, with Razai’s practice including land use and eminent domain matters. Caruso also practices construction law and Guzman's practice also focuses on business and real estate transactions.
Each attorney has unique strengths that continue to diversify the firm’s approach to their clients. In addition to serving clients in state and federal courts, Razai has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, and has served as a mediator in state courts. Awarded Super Lawyers 2016 Rising Star, Caruso utilizes his extensive judicial experience to argue on behalf of his clients at various levels from arbitration to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Guzman draws on her past experience in private equity and venture capital to protect businesses and help them achieve their full potential. These three associates, along with their diverse experience and cohesive strengths, further reinforce N&D’s foundation for continued growth and excellence.
About Newmeyer & Dillion
For more than 30 years, Newmeyer & Dillion has delivered creative and outstanding legal solutions and trial results for a wide array of clients. With over 70 attorneys practicing in all aspects of business, employment, real estate, construction and insurance law, Newmeyer & Dillion delivers legal services tailored to meet each client’s needs. 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 have been given Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review's AV Preeminent® highest rating. For additional information, call 949-854-7000 or visit www.ndlf.com.
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Contractors: Beware the Subordination Clause
October 15, 2014 —
Garret Murai – California Construction Law BlogA bit of mechanics lien trivia.
What is the only state in the United States in which mechanics liens are a constitutional right?
If you answered California, ding, ding.
Article XIV of the California Constitution states:
Mechanics, persons furnishing materials, artisans, and laborers of every class, shall have a lien upon the property upon which they have bestowed labor or furnished material for the value of such labor done and materials furnished; and the Legislature shall provide, by law, for the speedy and efficient enforcement of such liens.
But how does that constitutional right stand up against contractual rights? Not so well it seems.
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Garret Murai, Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & GirardMr. Murai may be contacted at
gmurai@kmtg.com
Another Reminder that Contracts are Powerful in Virginia
February 08, 2021 —
Christopher G. Hill - Construction Law MusingsRegular readers of this construction law blog are likely tired of my refrain that the contract is king here in Virginia. With few exceptions, some of which have been passed in the last few years, the contract can and does essentially set the “law” for the transaction. A recent opinion from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals confirms this principle.
In Bracey v. Lancaster Foods, LLC, the Court looked at the question as to whether parties can contractually limit the statute of limitations in which a plaintiff or arbitration claimant can file its claim for relief. In Bracey, Michael Bracey, a truck driver, sued his former employer, Lancaster Foods, asserting various employment law claims. Lancaster moved to dismiss and compel arbitration based on the terms of an alternative dispute resolution agreement Bracey signed when he was hired, under which he consented to arbitration of any employment-related claim and waived all rights he may otherwise have had to a trial. Bracey challenged the arbitration clause, one that also included a 1-year limitation on the time in which Bracey was allowed to file any claim, as unconscionable. A federal judge in Maryland agreed and granted the motion to dismiss.
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The Law Office of Christopher G. HillMr. Hill may be contacted at
chrisghill@constructionlawva.com
Don’t Just Document- Document Right!
February 06, 2019 —
Christopher G. Hill - Construction Law MusingsI have stated to clients on many occasions that paper is a lawyer’s best friend. Because of a recent case from the Virginia Supreme Court, I should modify that to the correct paper is a lawyer’s best friend. In Commonwealth v. AMEC Civil, LLC, AMEC sued the Virginia Department of Transportation (“VDOT”) seeking more than $21 million in damages. The Mecklenburg County Circuit Court granted AMEC almost all of its damages and found that AMEC’s notice of intent to make a claim was proper under the Virginia Code even if it was not in the proper form.
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The Law Office of Christopher G. HillMr. Hill may be contacted at
chrisghill@constructionlawva.com
Engineering, Architecture, and Modern Technology – An Interview with Dr. Jakob Strømann-Andersen
September 14, 2020 —
Aarni Heiskanen - AEC BusinessWe sat down with Dr. Jakob Strømann-Andersen of Henning Larsen’s Sustainability Engineering Department. Our talk covered the need for interdisciplinary research, sustainable practice, and how technology will lead change in the years ahead.
Can you tell us a bit about your professional background and what you’re currently working on?
I’m a partner with Henning Larsen and work with around 300 architects globally. We’re based in Copenhagen where we’re 200 people strong, with branches throughout the world. I’m a trained engineer with a civil engineering background – making me the first partner that’s not an architect. I’ve been with the company for 15 years and joined as an industrial research Ph.D. in Denmark. For my first three years here, I was employed as a researcher doing research and energy-efficient building design. And that’s where we started with our approach to sustainability.
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Aarni Heiskanen, AEC BusinessMr. Heiskanen may be contacted at
aec-business@aepartners.fi
Mark Van Wonterghem To Serve as Senior Forensic Consultant in the Sacramento Offices of Bert L. Howe & Associates, Inc.
March 01, 2012 —
CDJ STAFFSacramento, CA — Bert L. Howe and Associates, Inc., is pleased to announce that Mark Van Wonterghem - General Contractor, has joined the firm as Senior Forensic Consultant. Mark will be responsible for leading the firm’s expansion in the newly formed Sacramento headquarters.
His focus will continue to be working with construction practice groups and claims professionals in the Sacramento and Bay Area markets. He will utilize the resources of the Construction Experts Group at Bert L. Howe & Associates in furthering the litigation support needs attendant to the firm’s Northern California clientele.
Mr. Van Wonterghem possesses extensive consulting and testimony experience. Through 32 years of experience in the construction industry he leverages extensive practical experience with multiple trades including concrete foundations, walls and flatwork, structural wood and steel framing, finish carpentry, drywall, lath & plaster/stucco, window & door installations, deck coating systems, metal and membrane flashings and above/below grade waterproofing. This trade experience encompasses both the commercial and residential construction sectors and has been vital in his ability to provide concise explanation of construction industry standards, as well as trade-specific standards of care.
Mr. Van Wonterghem has broad experience with all types of building construction ranging from concrete and steel commercial construction to high-end custom residential construction.
In connection with the Construction Experts Group at BHA, Mr. Van Wonterghem provides construction consulting and litigation support services to a wide variety of recognized construction claims professionals, owners, and publicly traded builders.
The firm’s Sacramento offices are located at the Gateway Oaks III office complex, 2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 435, Sacramento, CA 95833. Mr. Van Wonterghem can be reached via e mail at mvanwonterghem@berthowe.com or at (800) 783-1822.
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School for Building Trades Helps Fill Need for Skilled Workers
November 06, 2013 —
CDJ STAFFThe homebuilding crunch is ending, but many of the people who worked at building homes when times were good have found work in other industries, leaving homebuilders looking for skilled labor. The Enzweiler Apprentice Training Program in Kentucky is trying to fill that need. “We’re set to graduate over 100 students this year, which is our largest graduating class on record,” said Brian Miller, the executive director of the Northern Kentucky HBA.
Although the class isn’t graduating until next May, many of them already have jobs. “Ninety-five percent of our folks are employed when they leave us,” said Thomas Napier, director of the training program. Part of the curriculum involves gaining real-world experience, so the students work full time during the day and take classes at night.
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