To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate? That is the Question

It’s been the fodder of debate of philosophers, academics and the rest of us for ages: Do we have free will or are our actions predetermined and the result…

Thanks JD Supra!

I was taught to always say thank you. I was also taught not to boast. So let me just say thank you JD Supra for interviewing…

California’s Prompt Payment Laws: Just Because an Owner Has Changed Course Doesn’t Mean It’s Changed Course on Previous Payments

We’ve written before about California’s prompt payment laws which are designed to help contractors get paid in a timely and orderly fashion, which is always nice,…

The Quiet War Between California’s Charter Cities and the State’s Prevailing Wage Law

Behind the scenes a quiet war is raging. A war pitting local sovereignty, on one hand, against a Depression-era law intended to help those working on state…

Contractors: A Lesson on Being Friendly

I know. You’re just trying to be friendly. Don’t. Particularly when you’re a contractor bidding on a public works project. Those dinners at swanky restaurants, tickets to The…

A Rube Goldberg Car-Music Making Thingy

As some of you know I’m a fan of Rube Goldberg Machines – those silly, over-engineered contraptions which make simple tasks overly-complicated. Well, here’s another by…

The Project “Completion” Paradox in California

We’ve written before about why the date of “completion” on a California construction project is important, and why, if I may be blunt, determining that date…

“Thank You for Reading!”

We’ve been trying to keep our cool and not say anything, but we can’t contain ourselves anymore, so here it is: Earlier this month, the posts you…

Construction Payment Remedies: You May be Able to Skate by, But Why?

My grandfather used to say that “anything worth doing, is worth doing well.” It wasn’t until later that I learned the quote wasn’t his, but a quote…

One Very Good Reason to Make Sure Your Contractor is Licensed

I know how the thinking goes . . . Other than providing you with some marginal assurance that the work performed by your contractor (or subcontractor,…

Expert Troubles? Look No Further Than to Sir Isaac Newton

Experts. Love ’em. Hate ’em. But you need ’em. Particularly in complex litigation matters, including, many construction cases. But how do you keep that wily opposing…

A Construction Case for the Rats: Now Ain’t That a Kick in the Head

Usually, I write about cases because I find them “interesting.” And by interesting, I mean that in the most clinically (to most) boring way because they…