April 2023 Sustainable Building Materials Presented at the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law Annual Meeting 2023 Download here Sustainable Building Materials – Paper For more information contact the author and presenter Theodore L. Senet, Esq (310)-734-3311 tsenet@gibbsgiden.com Theodore L. Senet is a partner of the firm. Since joining the firm, Mr. Senet’s areas of practice have been insurance, construction, environmental, and real property law. Mr. Senet has been involved in planning and construction of major projects, including high rise buildings, hospitals, airports, roadways, pipelines, power plants, refineries, and major commercial and residential developments. He currently represents private and […]
Construction and Public Contracts
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Dec23
Richard Wittbrodt mentioned in the Orville Mercury-Register on the Orville Hospital Construction
Posted by GibbsGiden Under Construction and Public Contracts
Read the Orville Mercury-Register article here.
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Chambers USA Guides 2022 California Construction Law “What the Gibbs Giden team is known for A strong presence in construction disputes, offering clients extensive experience in litigation and international arbitration. Displays further expertise in risk management, in addition to bid protests and procurement issues. Advises clients on a broad range of construction projects, and has a continued focus on healthcare projects. Particular strength in Southern California, with offices in Los Angeles and Irvine, alongside one in Las Vegas, Nevada. Able to draw on additional expertise in related areas such as fidelity and surety law, tort defense and real estate. Notable […]
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May20
New Case Law Alert: Licensed General Contractors Cannot Sue Owners to Recover Funds for Work Performed by An Unlicensed Subcontractor
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
May 2022 The opinion in Kim v. TWA Construction, Inc. (2022 Cal. App. LEXIS 412) issued by the Court of Appeal of California Sixth Appellate District, on May 13, 2022, makes it clear that a properly licensed general contractor cannot bring an action for compensation from an owner for work performed by an unlicensed subcontractor. California licensing law has long made explicit that an unlicensed contractor cannot bring or maintain any action to collect or recover compensation for work that contractor performed unless they were duly licensed at all times during the performance of that work. This new ruling extends […]
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May2
Late Progress Payments on Local Public Works Projects Are Not a Statutory Breach of Contract
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
California local public agencies and their contractors should take note of a recent appellate decision pertaining to late progress payments on public works projects. In Clark Bros., Inc. v. North Edwards Water Dist., 2022 Cal. App. LEXIS 331, filed on April 22, 2022, the Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District held that a local agency’s late progress payments to a general contractor did not constitute breach of contract under the prompt payment penalty statute, Public Contract Code § 20104.50. Notwithstanding this holding, the contractor recovered damages, interest, fees, and costs in excess of its contract amount. In […]
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Mar22
California Case Law Update for Credit Professionals and Risk Managers
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
March 2022 The pandemic certainly did not slow down California’s Legislature and appellate courts. The following five appellate decisions significantly impact businesses that use standard form agreements, employ mechanics lien and related remedies to ensure payment for labor or materials on construction projects, rely on website/online terms and conditions, and agree to resolve debts with written agreements. INCONSPICUOUS ARBITRATION (AND POSSIBLY OTHER CONTRACT) CLAUSES WILL NOT BE ENFORCED The Domestic Linen Supply Co., Inc. v. L J T Flowers, Inc., 58 Cal. App. 5th 180 (2020) case should encourage all distributors and manufacturers that utilize standard form credit, sales, or rental agreements […]
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Jan11
Professor Senet’s List of 25 Decisions Every California Construction Lawyer Should Know:
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
January 2022 Aas v. Superior Court (2000) 24 Cal. 4th 627 – economic loss rule Amelco Electric v. City of Thousand Oaks ( (2002) 27 Cal. 4th 228 – abandonment does not apply to public works – total cost theory is allowed Beacon Residential Community Association v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 568 – architect liable in absence of privity Cates Const., Inc. v. Talbot Partners (1999) 21 Cal.4th 28 – no tort recovery on bonds – performance bonds can cover contract warranties Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. v. Sacramento Municipal Utility Dist., 149 Cal. App. 4th 1384 […]
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September 2021 Mechanics Liens are a mainstay of California construction industry and law. These liens may seem commonplace, but they should not be taken for granted as they are an essential sword and shield for contractors of every level to use to make sure they get paid their due on a project. What Is A Mechanics Lien? A mechanics lien is a lien on a piece of real property held by a mechanic, material supplier, artisan, and/or laborer of every class who has bestowed labor and/or materials to improve the property. See 1 Ca Mechanics’ Lien […]
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Mar11
Construction Employers in the Central Valley Must Provide Training on Valley Fever
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
Construction employers with worksites in the Central Valley should be aware of new Valley Fever training requirements for their employees. Under Labor Code section 6709, construction employers with worksites in specific counties must provide employees with yearly Valley Fever awareness training on or before May 1 of each year. Training must be provided if the “work activities disturb the soil, including, but not limited to, digging, grading, or other earth moving operations, or vehicle operation on dirt roads, or high winds.” The provision applies to construction sites in the following counties: • Fresno • Kern • Kings • Madera • […]
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Jan21
Contractors Beware: New COVID Law in California (January 1, 2021)
Posted by GibbsGiden Under California Law
January 2021 Since March 4, 2020, when Governor Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency, the State has been in a constant pattern of slow down, shutdown, ramp up, repeat. In addition to Governor Newsom’s emergency orders, most counties are establishing (or already have established) emergency procedures as well. This makes it particularly difficult for construction companies with projects in multiple counties to track emergency procedures such as training and reporting. The following provides a quick guide to construction site compliance based on California’s Assembly Bill 685 (“AB 685”) and how to prepare for potential shutdowns related to […]