Fairfield Connecticut Building Expert Directory

A UK Bridge That Is a Lesson on How to Build Infrastructure

November 15, 2017 — Cameron J. Bell - Engineering News-Record
This country’s infrastructure—bridges, airports, dams and levees—needs wide-scale repair and renewal. The United Kingdom’s new Queensferry Crossing bridge, connecting Edinburgh to Fife in Scotland, sets a new standard for how to do it. The result speaks for itself: The Queensferry Crossing, a three-tower, 1.7-mile-long cable-stayed bridge, debuted in early September well within budget and a manageable eight-month time delay—a rare occurrence among bridges. According to research at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, nine out of 10 fixed links (bridges and tunnels) suffer an average cost overrun of 34% and a time delay of roughly two years. Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Cameron J. Bell, ENR
ENR may be contacted at ENR.com@bnpmedia.com

Virtual Jury Trials of Construction Disputes: The Necessary Union of Both Sides of the Brain

May 17, 2021 — John Dannecker - Construction Executive
Bart Smith is the Senior Project Manager for Simply Best, a general contracting firm. He has been assigned to serve as the liaison with outside counsel in a lawsuit against Holly’s Harleys, a project owner who contracted with Best for the construction of a motorcycle showroom. Best filed suit in federal court for additional project costs it incurred, which it contends were caused by the specification of incompatible materials by Holly’s design firm. The coronavirus pandemic is still raging as the trial date approaches. Courthouse facilities are closed so civil trials are conducted using remote technology, if they occur at all. Bart negotiated the prime contract with Holly’s, and he regrettably allowed Best’s binding arbitration and jury trial waiver clauses in the prime contract to be deleted. Bart worries about how the intricacies of Best’s case can be adequately explained to a jury in a remote trial. His concern approaches panic when Best’s trial counsel explains how the trial will be conducted with none of the parties—their attorneys, the judge, the witnesses or the jury—present in the same location. Reprinted courtesy of John Dannecker, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of

Hurricane Claim Cannot Survive Anti-Concurrent Causation Clause

May 15, 2023 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
The court upheld the insurer's denial of coverage for hurricane damage caused by storm surge. Heritage Motorcoach Resort & Marina Condominium Association, Inc v. Axis Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 58931 (S.D. Ala. April 4, 2023). Heritage operated a resort with a marina, dock and clubhouse. Hurricane Sally caused damage to the property. Heritage submitted a claim to its insurer, Axis. Axis investigated the claim. One investigator reported that the marina structures sustained damage caused by storm tide forces, wave action and debris impact. He opined that the marina structures did not sustain wind damage. When deposed, he testified that there was a combination of vessels and wave action causing damage to the marina. A second investigator found that the storm drove boats and other debris into the marina area causing much of the damage. Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

Federal Court Rejects Insurer's Argument that Wisconsin Has Adopted the Manifestation Trigger for Property Policy

April 03, 2013 — Tred Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
The federal district court disagreed with the insurer's strident claim that Wisconsin followed the manifestation trigger for deciding coverage under a homeowner's policy. Strauss v. Chubb Indem. Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 224 (E.D. Wis. Jan. 2, 2013). Several years after their house was constructed, the insureds discovered water damage. Chubb denied the claim. The insureds sued. Chubb moved for summary judgment and argued that the loss first manifested many years after its policy expired. Further, Chubb argued that Wisconsin followed the manifestation trigger for first-party property insurance, meaning that only the insurance policy in effect when the loss manifested was required to respond. Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred Eyerly
Tred Eyerly can be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

Kahana & Feld P.C. Enhances Client Offerings, Expands Litigation Firm Leadership

March 22, 2017 — Kahana & Feld, P.C.
SANTA ANA, Calif., March 9, 2017 – Celebrating 10 successful years of practice, Managing Partner Amir M. Kahana, Esq. , of Kahana & Feld P.C. (formally Kahana Law), is pleased to announce he has added as name partner Jason Daniel Feld, Esq., expanding client offerings to include insurance defense and bolstering its construction defect and real estate law practice. Feld joins the AV Preeminent firm that for the past decade has become known for its prowess in general business litigation matters, including cases involving employment, construction, real estate and intellectual property law. The firm is home to a group of proven trial attorneys who are among Southern California’s top rated counsel. Feld brings 18 years of experience, with his practice focusing on defending homebuilders, contractors and developers in Arizona, Texas and California. He primarily chooses to represent smaller, family-owned and operated clients, providing the unique opportunity to also assist with overall best practices and risk prevention. In addition, Feld serves on several prominent insurance carrier panels, allowing him to cultivate valuable relationships with the builder and contactor community. A resident of Tustin Ranch, Feld received his juris doctor cum laude from Whittier Law School and a bachelor’s degree from University of Houston. “Jason’s breadth of experience, leadership and work ethic are qualities I have admired throughout the many years of our friendship. He embodies the integrity and admirable character that are at the core of our firm’s fabric,” said Kahana, a resident of Irvine. “I am thrilled to have Jason join forces with our firm as we enter our second decade and are poised for significant growth. Our clients will benefit from our expanded areas of practice, allowing us to provide counsel and litigation support in a variety of areas.” Under Kahana’s leadership, the firm has become known for holding its client relationships in the highest regard while providing premier quality legal services and sound risk assessment at a reasonable cost. With integrity always coming first, the firm’s record of success extends well beyond the office as each associate is proudly involved in his or her community, donating time and resources to a variety of worthy community organizations. “I feel honored to join Amir and this talented and energetic firm,” said Feld. “I feel fortunate to have found a new home with partners and associates who share the same values and commitment to serving the community. I look forward to helping grow the firm in the years ahead.” About Kahana & Feld, P.C. Kahana & Feld, P. C. focuses on general business litigation and insurance defense, with particular emphasis on employment, real estate, construction defect and intellectual property litigation. The AV Preeminent firm is led by attorneys who have been named among Southern California’s Top Rated. The firm was founded with the goal of providing high-quality legal services at fair and reasonable rates. The firm believes that what defines attorneys is not their billing rates, but their record of success, and Kahana & Feld’s track record speaks for itself. For more information, please visit: http://www.kahanafeld.com Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of

Meet BWB&O’s 2025 Best Lawyers in America!

September 09, 2024 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP is proud to announce Partners Nicole Whyte, Keith Bremer, Vik Nagpal, John O’Meara, Sheila Stiles, Patrick Au, and Nicole Schmidt have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and Partner Devin Gifford, and Associates Melissa Youngpeter, Ryan Flanagan, and Alexandria Zeis are included in the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Each person is being recognized for their diligent work in the areas of Family Law, Construction, Commercial, Personal Injury, and Real Estate Litigation. Reprinted courtesy of Dolores Montoya, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP Read the full story... Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of

Wendel Rosen Construction Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

July 30, 2018 — Garret Murai - California Construction Law Blog
Wendel Rosen Construction Practice Group Co-Chairs, Garret Murai and Quinlan Tom, have been selected for inclusion as 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers in the area of Construction Litigation. Murai and Tom are among 26 other attorneys at the firm who were selected as either 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers or Rising Stars by Thompson Reuters. Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Garret Murai, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP
Mr. Murai may be contacted at gmurai@wendel.com

Disputed Facts on Cause of Collapse Results in Denied Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment

January 31, 2018 — Tred R. Eyerly – Insurance Law Hawaii

Although the court concluded that the policy covered a loss caused by the weight of snow, disputed facts as to the cause of the collapse led to the denial of cross-motions for summary judgment. Freeway Drive Inv., LLC v Employers Mut. Cas. Co., 2017 U.S Dist. LEXIS 207165 (E.D Mich. Dec. 18, 2017).

Freeway Drive owned a single story commercial building insured by Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC). The building sustained damage when trusses within the roof shifted and dropped, causing visible sagging. EMCC denied Freeway Drive's claim.

Freeway Drive hired structural engineer Abdul Brinjikji to inspect the damage. He visited the building three times. On the first visit, he saw snow on the roof but could not estimate how much. Nevertheless, he opined that the collapse was caused by an overload of snow. He developed a plan to shore up the roof and repairs commenced.

Read the court decision
Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Insurance Law Hawarii
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT BUILDING EXPERT DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES