A Beacon for Homeowners and HOAs. Not So Much for Architects

This past year I wrote about a case that made architects none too happy – Beacon Residential Community Association v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Case…

California Supreme Court Holds that Charter Cities Do Not Have to Pay Prevailing Wages

On July 2, 2012, the California Supreme Court, in a much anticipated decision, held that charter cities do not have to pay prevailing wages on municipal…

General Contractor Which Retained Control Over Jobsite May be Liable for Injuries Sustained by Third Tier Subcontractor

Nearly 20 years ago the California Supreme Court decided Privette v. Superior Court, 5 Cal.4th 689 (1993), in which it held that a property owner who…

California’s 425 Redevelopment Agencies Close Their Doors Today

At midnight last night, California’s 425 redevelopment agencies closed their doors as a result of legislation enacted this past year (AB 26) which eliminated the state’s…

Who Says Actions Speak Louder Than Words?

Contractors who work in the public works arena are aware that under California Civil Code section 3247 [which will be recodified at Civil Code section 9550…

Failure to Request Extension of Project Schedule No Defense to Liquidated Damages . . . Even for Delays Not Caused by the Contractor

If you have ever worked on a public works project you have probably run across a liquidated damage clause in your contract. Such clauses, which are…