Mr. Adams is a certified safety professional and certified industrial hygienist. He is s Principal at Ramboll US Corporation in Portland OR.  He has an M.S. in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Biology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  He has over 30 years of experience in occupational health and safety, with particular emphasis on occupational health exposure and risk assessment; industrial hygiene and exposure science; compliance auditing; asbestos, lead and microbiological remediation; health and safety due diligence; emergency preparedness; health and safety program management; hazardous materials; and indoor environmental quality. He has provided expert support in quantitative and qualitative exposure analysis, assessment and reconstruction, and has served as an expert on a range of matters related to occupational exposures to asbestos, lead, mold and solvents. He also managed a multidisciplinary EHS team during the WTC crisis when he was the Director of EHS for NYC’s Department of Design and Construction. He is a Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and a Diplomate of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. He has been an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

A Managing Partner at Butler, Denise M. Anderson is the Chairperson of the Firm's Construction Litigation Practice Group. Denise is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida  Bar and is an AV peer-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.While she currently practices primarily in the fields of construction  defect and product liability, in her legal career she has handled a large variety of insurance related disputes involving coverage and subrogation. Her construction experience includes the representation of general contractors, developers, designers, every trade in the construction process, as well as suppliers and manufacturers of building components. She has served as the chairperson of several national construction seminars and regularly speaks to clients and peers on a variety of construction and civil litigation topics. After serving as the Regional Chairperson (Southern Region) for the Women in Construction Litigation Alliance (WCLA), Denise was appointed to the Board of Directors of the WCLA in 2015. Denise is also the National Membership Vice Chairperson of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA).  In addition, Denise has served as a Florida delegate for the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. In 2013, she was appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the CLM's production of a Claims Handling Manual which is national initiative undertaken by 150 attorneys from across the U.S. and Canada.  Also, for the second year, Denise was selected as a Chairperson for the CLM's Annual Construction and Environmental Conference which will be held in Atlanta the first week of November, 2015 (Boston 2014).She received her Bachelor of Arts, with high honors, from Auburn University (1991) and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mercer University School of Law (1994). Denise is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Florida and the state courts of Georgia.  

Douglas W. Andrews

Douglas W. Andrews is Managing Partner of Andrews & Rhodes LLP, a defense civil litigation firm servicing southern California. Mr. Andrews heads the firm’s construction litigation practice. He has 25 years of experience in complex construction litigation, including the representation of developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and manufacturers of building products. Mr. Andrews received his B.A., M.P.A. and J.D. degrees from Brigham Young University.

Peter Bauman is a senior, AV Preeminent rated, commercial litigation attorney, with extensive experience in complex business, construction, and real estate litigation. Mr. Bauman has been a civil litigator since passing the California bar exam in 2003, having received his J.D. degree from Pepperdine University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California. Mr. Bauman has successfully litigated and resolved a number of high profile cases through the courts, arbitration, and mediation. Mr. Bauman provides an aggressive, strategic, and creative litigation solution.

Some of Mr. Bauman's more notable cases include:

Callan vs. Marlborough Seaview Estates HOA: Mr. Bauman was instrumental in defending his client and designing a deal that resolved a 30 year old blight and $30 million litigation, with minimal contribution from his client. Case involved a complex landslide that affected numerous homes above the Shorecliffs Golf Course in San Clemente, California.

Private Company vs. Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc.: Mr. Bauman arbitrated this case on behalf of the building owner against a multinational solar energy firm and obtained an exceptional recovery for his client, and enforced the arbitration award in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Case involved a commercial dispute over the sale, design and installation of a 42 kilowatt photovoltaic solar energy system.

Additionally, Mr. Bauman has represented individuals, families, partnerships, corporations, homeowners associations, and design professionals in a wide variety of real estate, business, insurance, and construction related matters; resolving contentious claims against his clients for minimal payments, shifting liability to others through indemnity mechanisms, and recovering millions of dollars in plaintiff claims.

Russell Beal is a Vice President, Claims for Alliance Reinsurance of America (AZRA) which is a subsidiary of Allianz SE one of the world’s largest Insurance and financial services group.  He earned his BS in Business with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Sacramento. Mr. Beal has been in claims 32 years, his breath of experience includes technical expertise which results from being involved with various Centers of Expertise including; Construction Defect Group, Excess Group, Surplus Group and Health Hazard Group. With over 20 years of Claims leadership combined with his entrepreneur drive make him an excellent fit at AZRA.  AZRA is uniquely situated in the Allianz SE family which specializes in providing reinsurance solutions for U.S. legacy claims such as Asbestos, Workers Compensation, Construction Defect, Surplus and Excess lines business.  AZRA is the U.S. center of competence for actively managing legacy runoff insurance portfolios.  

Ms. Beck was awarded CLM's Outside Counsel of the Year in 2018.  She is the leading author of CLM Magazine's award-winning Blame Game series which analyzes verdicts in cases across the country.  She has joined the powerhouse firm of Klinedinst Law as a shareholder with an entire team of lawyers, paralegals, and staff covering CA, AZ and NV, as she and her team practice in all three states.  She co-chairs the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with Sacramento Office Managing Shareholder Natalie Vance. She was formerly Chair of Arizona Litigation and Co-chair of California Litigation with Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, an AM Law 100 firm.  Exemplar clients include LEGO, Inc., the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Walsh Construction, Chipotle, the San Diego Tourism Authority, McDonald’s Corporation, Sprouts Farmers Markets, various insurance companies, and many others.

Admitted to CA Bar (1990); U.S. District Court (Southern District of California) (1990); admitted to AZ Bar (2005); admitted to NV Bar (2019).

Preparatory Education: San Diego State University (B.S. 1986).Legal Education: University of San Diego (J.D. 1990, Magna Cum Laude).

Memberships: President-Elect, National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations; VP of the National Diversity Council's Southern California Diversity Council; Co-creator of GOOD Guys (GOOD=Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity); San Diego County Bar Association; CLM; American Bar Association (Woman Advocate Committee, co-chair of the Book Sub-Committee); Lawyers Club of San Diego (founder and past co-chair of the Professional Advancement Committee and past co-chair of the Balance Committee); Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council, Inc. 

Other: Extern to Justice Howard B. Wiener, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District (1990); Internship and Clerk for Office of the United States Attorney, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (1986-1988).

Ms. Beck is deeply committed to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is an active organizer, speaker, and writer on these issues.

 

Marianne Boykin is a Specialty Claims Consultant for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in the San Francisco area. Marianne is responsible for claims handling of serious and catastrophe claims in the National Market Division of Liberty Mutual. She has been with Liberty for over 33 years and has experience handling worker’s compensation, general liability and property claims. Marianne has held a variety of positions within Liberty Mutual’s claims organization and currently handles a majority of defective construction claims across the country. Marianne is a graduate of UC Berkeley and is a certified property, auto and special arbitrator with Arbitration Forums.

Ms. Ciliberto is the CEO of the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts (ASM), a trade association representing more than 350 member companies that employ more than 25,000 skilled workers on both private and public sector projecs.  For more than 65 years, ASM has worked to promote fair business practices and help subcontractors succeed in a complex and changing industry.
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For nearly nine years prior to joining ASM, Ms. Ciliberto was the Senior Director and Counsel for Contracts and Construction Law at The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).  She also held the position of Deputy Executive Director and Counsel for ConsensusDocs - the only standard contracts endorsed by a coalition of 40+ design and construction industry associations.

Prior to joining AGC and ConsensusDocs, Ms. Ciliberto practiced law in Colorado for 10 years. She was the founder and principal of Ciliberto & Associates, LLC, a firm providing natural resources, environmental, real property and water law counsel. She is licensed in Colorado and DC, and several federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prior to her legal career, Ms. Ciliberto was a marketing and advertising consultant for more than 10 years and her clients included Alfa Romeo, General Motors, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Way, Telecheck, La-Z-Boy, and numerous luxury resorts in Colorado.

Ms. Ciliberto is a frequent presenter at industry events nationwide. She is the Managing Editor of the Colorado Water Law Benchbook and has authored articles for a number of organizations.

Adrienne D. Cohen is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Adrienne D. Cohen with offices in Irvine and Novato, California. Ms. Cohen received her Juris Doctorate from the USC School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA. Ms. Cohen has represented major insurance companies and their insureds for over 30 years in the areas of insurance coverage and defense. Ms. Cohen is also the recipient of the 2018 West Coast Casualty Silver Star award for best subcontractor attorney.

Ms. Cohen began practicing in the areas of first- and third-party insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. In addition, she has defended insureds in a variety of actions ranging from premises liability to construction defect.

Ms. Cohen has tried many jury and court trials. She is a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. She has argued and won many appeals, including those dealing with complex coverage issues, including Rosenbloom v. Hanour Corp. (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 1477, Travelers v. Transcontinental (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 949, Parkwoods Community Association v. California Insurance Guarantee Association (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 1362, and Fort Bragg Unified School District v. Solano County Roofing Inc. (2011) 141 Cal.App.4th 891, Bigler-Engler v. Breg, Inc. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 276 and California Insurance Guarantee Association v. San Diego County Schools Risk Management Joint Powers Authority (2019) 84 Cal. Comp. Cases 957 or Cal. App. LEXIS 1070.

Matthew S. Constantino is a Partner with Clapp, Moroney, Vucinich, Beeman & Scheley, and has been with the firm since 2005.  Matt has extensive experience successively representing prominent developers, general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in hundreds of large and complex lawsuits throughout California, frequently serving as lead defense counsel.

In addition to his construction law practice, Matt has also litigated matters in numerous other fields, including habitability, personal injury, insurance and business litigation disputes.

Matt has been a panelist at a number of prominent national and regional conferences on construction litigation topics.

Matt received his B.A. in English, and a minor in Business Management, from San Jose State University in 1994, where he was on the Dean’s List.  He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2000, where he graduated with honors, was an editor of the Law Review, and received the Am Jur Award in Legal Analysis, Research and Writing.

Matt has been admitted to practice in California since 2000, and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, the Building Industry Association and the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, where he is serving on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Chapter as the Director of Membership and a member of the Construction Committee.

In addition to these professional organizations, Matt is also actively involved in his community.  He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara University Bronco Builders Association, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Little Italy San Jose.

Dan Costello, Founder and Managing Partner of Costello Ginex & Wideikis,  is currently recognized as a national expert in litigation management, complex case litigation, and trial practice.  In 2014 he was one of four finalists for the Claim and Litigation Management (CLM) Outside Counsel of the Year, selected from nearly 40,000 members. He is a Advisory Board member for CLM, Co-Chair of the Anti-Nuclear Verdict Task Force, Co-Chair of the Litigation Management Symposium (LMS), and a Chancellor of Litigation Management Institute (LMI) held at Loyola Law school in Chicago.

Over the last three years, Dan's litigation practice has continued to grow, as has the firms growing portfolio of litigation based solutions.   Dan has been retained as lead counsel in complex cases including lead trial counsel in two cases of first impression in Illinois  including the loss of opportunity to have a biological child for 66 plaintiffs in a Cryogenic tank malfunction, and a class action lawsuit in litigation of Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) dealing with statutory/punitive damages.  He has also been retained in complex litigation including the collapse of a tent resulting in multiple fatalities and 19 plaintiffs' claims and recently resolved construction litigation brought on behalf of a national retailer that spanned seven states, and involved insurance disputes with twenty-two separate insurers. 

He also acts as a litigation consultant, billing fees expert, and expert in litigation of complex and construction defect disputes.  He has recently been retained as an expert witness in multiple party litigation in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, among other states.   Dan also maintains an active practice in consulting with carriers on litigation management strategy, implementation, and improvement.  

Specialties: Construction Litigation, Litigation Management, Expert Fees, Complex litigation, Insurance Coverage, products liability, and construction/design defect

Steve is a recognized leader in construction law with more than 25 years of experience. Prior to joining Build Group, Inc. as General Counsel, Steve was a partner at Haight, Brown & Bonesteel where he handled hundreds of construction law matters, and spent years cultivating relationships. Clients retained Steve because of his expertise, legal abilities, and his total devotion to client satisfaction. Steve shared his expertise and insights with others by routinely speaking at conferences, seminars or webinars. Steve also served as leader of Haight’s Construction Law Practice Group.

Steve brought these skills to work as General Counsel for Build Group, Inc. On a daily basis, Steve works on contracts, employment issues, claims handling, or works with project teams to ensure projects are delivered as promised. Coming to work for Build Group has been a great experience for Steve. The working environment and culture are second to none, and a reflection of the great people in the organization at all levels.

Leonard T. Fink, one of the firm’s founding partners, has been practicing in courts in Nevada, California and Arizona for nearly 20 years, representing a variety of different clients in all types of civil and business-related litigation matters. He is a frequent speaker at MCLE events and, at times, a guest lecturer at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  Leonard received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and received his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

ROBERT M. FREEDMAN is a retired Partner of Tharpe & Howell, LLP and managed its Commercial Litigation and Transaction Practice at the Los Angeles office. Mr. Freedman has established a new law firm called Freedman Law Firm with offices in Beverly Hills and Calabasas.  

Mr. Freedman's litigation experience includes Federal and State jury and bench trials, mediations, arbitrations, class-actions, administrative proceedings and appeals. 

Mr. Freedman's legal practice includes:  Residential, Commercial and Public Works Real Estate and Construction Litigation.  This includes catastrophic losses, personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, construction defects, business interruption, enviromnetal, insurance covrage and bad faith, and real estate and construction transactions.   He also handles business litigation and transactions including being general counsel for a number of companies, and has experience in labor and employment, business transactions, business entities, unfair competition, intellectual property, online sales and marketing, vendor/ supplier disputes, and commercial matters in China, Mid-East, Europe and Mexico.  Transactions include strategic business planning; licensing agreements, employment contracts, partnership agreements, confidentiality and non-competition agreements, asset sales and mergers, real estate,

Mr. Freedman is active with CLM.  He is a graduate of the Litigation Management Institute, and among other things has authored articles for CLM, one on Neutral Evaluations and the other on the Using Social Media Evidence in Litigation.  He is a certified mediator and has handled a number of media infused high-profile cases such as the Northridge Meadows collapse using creative ADR to achieve early resulutions.If you would like more information about Mr. Freedman's legal practice, please feel free to contact him direct at (818) 486-8369; or via email to robert@rmf.law 

Marc S. Gaffrey is an AV-rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell and is the Partner-in-Charge of the Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation Department. He has extensive experience in the litigation of toxic tort matters and mass tort litigation involving lead, asbestos, silica, talc, benzene, "sick building syndrome," latex allergy, PCB, diazanon, welding fumes, orthodichlorobenzene, trichloroethylene, and numerous other chemicals and pesticides. He has handled thousands of toxic tort cases in New Jersey and New York.

Marc also has litigated numerous environmental matters involving fuel oil discharge, hazardous waste, Superfund site construction and remediation, and landfill clean-up. In particular, he assisted in the litigation of the landmark case of Ayers v. Township of Jackson.

Marc has been named National Coordinating Counsel to seven companies encompassing multiple business disciplines. He coordinates the defense of all asbestos-related matters throughout the country, including hiring local counsel and managing the files. He also has authored numerous articles in the toxic tort field and has been a frequent lecturer at both national and regional conferences including: Defense Research Institute (DRI), Perrin Conferences, New Jersey Defense Association, HB Litigation Conference, Harris Martin, Worley, and NJ Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE). In addition, Marc routinely gives in-house seminars to clients discussing the most recent trends in asbestos and toxic tort litigation.

Derrick Harris started adjusting claims in 1997 with SAFECO Insurance as a claim specialist. From there he moved to CNA as a Litigation Specialist before joining Harleysville Insurance as a founding member of its Construction Defect Unit in 2004. In his career, Derrick has handled a wide range of construction defect claims across the nation, specializing in coverage analysis, and when necessary, defense. He has handled claims for subcontractors and general contractors, as well as owners and developers. He has also pursued educational opportunities and earned his Associate in Claims, the Construction Risk Insurance Specialist designation, and a Masters in Business Administration. Derrick currently works as a Construction Defect Supervisor for Fireman’s Fund Insurance out of his home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
 

John C. Hayes is a partner with Hayes Law Firm, LLC located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. John has extensive experience in civil trial practice. His legal practice focuses on civil commercial litigation, construction defect, and insurance coverage. He is also experienced in wrongful death claims. He was a law clerk for the Honorable Judge R. Markley Dennis, Jr. South Carolina Circuit Court, At-large, Seat No. 2. John is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. John is a member of the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association and the Charleston County Bar Association.

“In over ten years working at National Indemnity Company, Nathan Higgs has worked primarily on commercial lines casualty litigation.  He currently handles construction defect litigation and also focuses on the strategic engagement of outside vendors and counsel.  Nathan received a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a M.S. in Conflict Resolution from Creighton

Wendy Hultman is Litigation Manager for Vela Insurance Services, A Berkley Company. She oversees the Litigation Management Initiative with Vela Insurance Services in Omaha, Nebraska.  Ms. Hultman graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Criminal Justice, and from Creighton Univeristy with a Law Degree.  She has earned designations for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, Registered Professional Liability Underwriter, Associate in Management, Senior Claims Law Associate, and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist.  She has extensive experience in the areas of transportation, general liability, professional liability, complex claims, and litigation management.
 

Eileen Jenkins is an expert witness and consultant.
 
In her thirty year career, Ms. Jenkins has held roles as in-house corporate counsel and claim legal counsel, as well as roles as a claim adjuster, supervisor, manager and officer.  She has an expertise in insurance good faith, coverage and complex claims.  Her experience spans all lines of property and casualty business, including general and professional liability, surety, directors’ and officers’ liability, workers compensation and excess/umbrella.  She has worked for both standard lines and excess and surplus lines carriers.  She has authored numerous guidelines, adopted as standards for her companies, including Best Practices, Best Practices for Investigation, Litigation Management Guidelines and Coverage Template Letters.  Ms. Jenkins is a frequent industry speaker. 
 

I am a highly experienced litigation and complex liability claims manager. I lead my units to administer claims in a hands-on and proactive manner focusing on cost effective and creative resolutions. My units achieve quality results by applying creative and unique claim handling strategies, litigation management strategies and core administration principles. I am proficient in litigation management including the administration of panel counsel and creation of litigation management strategies, protocols and guidelines. I built a group designed to implement and ensure the implementation of the guidelines. I am highly knowledgeable in specialize claims and have created units whose purpose is the management of specialty claims including environmental mass tort and construction defect. I am a leader who strengthens and inspires his direct reports to accomplish shared goals. I shape the organization’s values, promote the organization’s values, protect the organization’s values and exemplify the organization’s values.

Mr. Mierzwa, PE, is a forensic Civil/Structural Engineer based out of LWG Consulting’s New England Office. Tom has expertise in areas such as premises liability investigations, structural damage assessment, civil/structural engineering accident investigations, roofing evaluation, geotechnical engineering, construction defect, building foundation analysis, and bridge engineering/construction.

He is a member of PLRB, NASP, CLM, and NECEA where he has been a featured speaker on topics such as “Weather Damage to Roofing Systems”, “Sinkhole investigations”, “Pipe Ruptures” and “Slip and Fall Investigations”.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in 13 states.

Frilot partner Kerry J. Miller is the co-leader of the firm's Mass Tort and Class Actions Practice Area. Mr. Miller has been court appointed lead attorney for several high-profile and high-impact cases, including litigation stemming from the BP oil spill, cases involving Chinese Drywall, and litigation related to the Murphy oil spill in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.Mr. Miller has written extensively about the latest developments in class action and complex litigation law. In addition to his written accomplishments, Mr. Miller has been called to present his class action expertise to clients, at seminars, and in continuing education programs.Mr. Miller has been quoted or referenced multiple times in the Wall Street Journal on various complex litigation issues, and has been quoted on ABC News and Bloomberg. Mr. Miller has also been frequently quoted in The Times Picayune, and he has been interviewed by nearly all TV and news radio stations in the New Orleans area in complex litigation matters.In 2011, Mr. Miller was selected as a Best Lawyer in America in the area of Mass Tort Litigation. He also received an invitation from the People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs' Law Delegation to China to participate in their 2010 Continuing Legal Education program. Mr. Miller graduated from Tulane Law School, Order of the Coif, and was a member of the Tulane Law Review. He then worked as a Law Clerk for the Honorable James L. Dennis, Circuit Judge, in the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Jean Osborne is a Senior Claim Technical Director for Great American Custom Insurance Services in Los Angeles, CA where she has worked for the last 18 years.  She currently manages with technical expertise the construction defect claims for both primary and excess along with other  primary books of business including, labor law, products and premises liability. She has handled construction defect claims for over 25 years for general contractors and subcontractors and is a mentor and supervisor of claim professionals in the organization. She takes a pro-active approach to managing files while focusing on coverage, investigation, discovery, and litigation strategy using creative and innovative ways of developing protocols to effectuate the determination of early case exposure and focus on early case resolution. She earned her Bachelor degree from Potsdam State University in New York.     
 

Brenda Radmacher specializes in construction and real estate law, regularly counseling general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, contractors, and owners on contract negotiations, risk management and disputes. Her practice emphasizes resolving complex construction disputes through negotiation, mediation, and, when necessary, arbitration and litigation, on projects in California, nationwide, and internationally. She frequently addresses claims involving breach of contract, construction/design defects, liens, delays/impacts, construction defects, bonds/insurance issues, and represents many of the nation’s largest contractors and developers in the commercial, multifamily, and residential markets. She also provides advice regarding franchise/corporations issues, ADA, and California's Proposition 65. She also has developed risk management protocols for her clients in both the construction, regulatory, and employment areas.

Brenda has been recognized in the industry with many awards including: Women of Influence - Attorneys (Los Angeles Business Journal); The Best Lawyers in America© - Construction Law (2020); Top 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers List (Los Angeles Business Journal, 2017); CLM Outside Counsel Professional of the Year 2016, Pasadena's Top Attorney list (2013-20), Martindale-Hubbell, Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers (2015-2021); Construction Dive, Industry Veteran Award (2021). 

Her Board and membership positions include: USC Alumni Real Estate Network; West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association; Associated General Contractors, California  - LA District; Women Construction Owners & Executives; and Women in Design + Construction. She is a past Co-Chair of the CLM Product Liability Committee, Advisory Member for CLM's Wiki Guide and Claims Handling Manual. 

She is a Certified Mediator and was an adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law for a decade teaching Negotiation and Mediation and is a frequent speaker on negotiation and mediation skills.

Since 1996, Mr. Righi's practice has concentrated on representing individuals, contractors and businesses in tort and contract litigation, primarily in the areas of construction defects, complex litigation, general liability, personal injury, product liability and insurance bad faith.

Mr Righi began trying cases in 1993 as a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney. He has tried over 50 cases to verdict in courts throughout the State of Arizona. His trials have involved a wide variety of issues: vehicular homicide in his early experience as a prosecutor; a variety of significant injury cases; lost profits resulting from product defect; a construction defect trial involving the catastrophic failure of Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, Arizona; and the total destruction of a residence in Sedona, Arizona due to the alleged diversion of flood waters. He achieved defense verdicts and cost awards in favor of his clients in his three latest trials. In addition, Mr. Righi successfully defended a single family construction defect case in a AAA fast-track Arbitration in 2010. 

Mr. Righi defends owners, developers and general contractors in complex construction defect matters. Mr. Righi represents the interests of clients at the request of national insurance carriers and understands how to effectively manage insurance defense litigation. Mr. Righi has expertise in managing the prosecution of third-party litigation on behalf of owners, developers, and general contractors and understands how to effectively pursue primary and additional insurance coverage for his clients. Mr. Righi has experience pursuing equitable contribution on behalf of insurance carriers and has expertise defending insurance bad faith issues that arise from complex litigation including defect and toxic tort litigation. In addition to his trial experience, Mr. Righi has taken significant cases to binding arbitration, pursued cases to judgment to secure payment on behalf of his clients and argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Ed Slaughter has been a trial lawyer for more than twenty-five years. He represents clients in high-risk litigation as national trial counsel and national coordinating counsel. He has tried cases to verdict across the country including the landmark mesothelioma defense victory in O'Neil v. Crane, et al., which established product manufacturers could not be held liable for injuries caused by replacement parts or materials used in association with their products.

In August 2019, Mr. Slaughter won a complete defense verdict in Hayes v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et al., on behalf of Colgate-Palmolive in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the first cosmetic talc case to go to verdict in the state.

As national coordinating counsel, Mr. Slaughter manages expert development and national strategy. Mr. Slaughter has successfully managed dockets of mass tort cases, obtaining thousands of dismissals without payment in the earliest stages of litigation. Mr. Slaughter has also been actively involved in reshaping the Texas litigation landscape through tort reform. He assisted in drafting legislative proposals and testified before the Texas House Civil Practices Committee to close the loophole that allowed thousands of out-of-state claims to be filed in Texas.

The founding and managing partner of Springel & Fink LLP, Adam has been practicing law for nearly 20 years. An experienced and successful civil litigator, his practice has focused primarily on commercial and business litigation, construction and related insurance litigation, class action litigation, professional liability claims involving attorneys, accountants, architects and engineers, as well as the defense of personal injury and real estate matters. Adam has also handled copyright litigation and transactional matters for his clients and has been retained as an expert witness in various litigated disputes.

Adam received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan. He is admitted to the California and Nevada state bars, and is also licensed as a California real estate broker. Adam has been AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale Hubbell since shortly after founding the firm and can be found in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Adam is also a Certified Litigation Management Professional, as designated by completing the Litigation Management Institute at Columbia University, a program provided by CLM.

David A. Steiger is an attorney, author and lecturer, who has taught various topics for fifteen years. Steiger received a Bachelor’s in Political Science in 1987 and a JD in 1990 from Indiana University Bloomington.  Beginning as an associate with a Chicago-based law firm, Steiger went on to manage complex products liability litigation for the American subsidiary of a global insurance conglomerate.Steiger then joined the Adjunct Faculty of DePaul University’s School for New Learning. In addition to teaching traditional and online courses in Chicago, he also taught students at the International Bank of Asia in Hong Kong and St. Gabriel’s College in Bangkok, Thailand.In 2008, ABA Publishing released Steiger’s first book, “The Globalized Lawyer,” in which he explained in clear, understandable terms the negotiation and implementation of cross-border transactions. Steiger’s second book, "Transactions Without Borders," scheduled for publication in May 2014, seeks to educate and empower clients in a world in which the balance of power in their relationship with attorneys is already decidedly shifting in their favor.Still affiliated with the law department of an insurance company with global operations, Steiger lives and works in Chicago.

Theresa H. Touchton, JD, is counsel for Pella Corporation, headquartered in Pella, Iowa. Pella manufacturers windows and doors and has manufacturing and sales facilities throughout North America. Theresa oversees all product liability matters for the company as well as provides employment counsel for the company nationwide. Previously, Theresa was a partner with the Minneapolis-based law firm of Faegre & Benson and practiced in the litigation area. After earning her JD from the University of North Carolina, Theresa clerked with the Minnesota Supreme Court. She is a graduate of Iowa State University. Married, with one son, Theresa enjoys attending her son’s activities and participating in activities within the community.

 

Mr. Wallace was born in 1953 in Knoxville, Tennessee where he was raised. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Emory University in 1975, and a Juris Doctorate from Tulane University School of Law in 1978. While at Tulane, he was an editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa scholastic and leadership society.Mr. Wallace is a trial lawyer practicing in Louisiana and Mississippi.He has more than twenty-five years experience and holds the highest rating (av) awarded by judges and fellow lawyers.Mr. Wallace is an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at Tulane University School of Law and has held this position since 1991. His publications include a chapter entitled Opinion & Expert Testimony, Louisiana Civil Trial Procedure (West 1997), Whatever Happened to Tort Reform: Recent Developments in Louisiana Product Liability Law, 39 Louisiana Bar Journal 375 (1991), Louisiana Tort Reform: Are Happy Days Here Yet for Defendants in Louisiana? 46 Louisiana Bar Journal 396 (1999), Spoliation of Evidence: A Compendium of State and Federal Law,Defense Research Institute, Chapter Author: Louisiana (2006), and Hurricane:Business Interruption, University of Texas-Austin (December 7, 2006).Mr. Wallace has been an active lecturer for professional and industry groups including seminars such as Product Liability Update, Toxic Tort Law in Louisiana, Insurance Law: Third Party Coverage in Louisiana, Bad Faith Litigation, Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics in Louisiana, Finding, Preparing and Using Your Expert in Federal Court, and Insurance Coverage Post-Katrina, and Third Party Insurance Coverage.Mr. Wallace has a diverse litigation practice for clients who have entrusted to him defense of class actions, wrongful death and personal injury suits against manufacturers in product liability and toxic tort suits, trucking litigation, bad faith and coverage disputes, and a broad range of personal injury and commercial matters.Mr. Wallace is a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and an active member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Defense Research Institute (Product Liability, Trucking and Coverage Committees), Trucking Insurance Defense Association (TIDA), and the American Bar Association (Insurance Coverage [Environmental and Property Subcommittees], Litigation and Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Sections) and the Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB).He is admitted to practice in all Louisiana and Mississippi federal and state courts as well as the U.S. Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal.
PRACTICE AREASEnergy & EnvironmentalMass Tort & Class ActionsProducts LiabilityInsurance CoverageTrucking Litigation

EDUCATIONTulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1978, J.D.Emory University, 1975, B.A.

BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS LouisianaMississippiU. S. Court of Appeals, Fifth, Sixth Eleventh Circuits

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPSFellow of the Louisiana Bar FoundationDefense Research Institute (Product Liability, Trucking and Coverage Committees)Trucking Insurance Defense Association (TIDA)American Bar Association (Insurance Coverage [Environmental and Property Subcommittees], Litigation and Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Sections)

Tom's career has been an extensive and broad journey over 30 years starting in the environmental consulting and emergency response services including emergency medicine, firefighting and hazardous materials emergency response teams.  Growing into the occupational safety and health fields/human resources and finally maturing in risk management, insurance with a specialty in claims and litigation management for primarily large self-insureds. While working for self-insureds he has managed claims ranging from simple windshield claims to multi-million dollar complex claims and Large.  He has over 20 years in construction and additional experiences in private industry (food, chemical, and manufacturing), education and government agencies.

Lee Wright is a claim professional with more than thirty five years of experience focusing on the handling and management of large, complex litigation files involving products, transportation and construction risks. He has overseen national claims programs for self-insureds and foreign insurers and acted as a regional training coordinator for a major insurer. He is a regular speaker at national and regional seminars and classes on insurance coverage and risk transfer issues and an approved CE instructor in CA, MD, SC and VA. He is a past President of the Construction Defect Claim Manager Association and a Member of the CLM Construction Claims Advisory Board and served as the inaugural Dean for CLM's Claims College School of Construction Claims.

Specialties: Construction Defect Claims & Management, General Liability Coverage, Contractual Risk Transfer, Arbitration and Mediation

Morey obtained his bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1973, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and obtained his law degree (with Honors) from the University of California, Berkeley in 1976, where he was staff member of the Ecology Law Quarterly.

Morey is the author of: "Aviation Source Directory"; "Aviation Deaths on the Seas: The Flight Into Maritime Law," Hastings International and Comparative Law Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, Fall 1986 [cited in In Re Air Crash Disaster Near Honolulu, Hawaii, on Feb. 24, 1989, 783 F.Supp. 1261 (N.D. Ca. 1992)]; "Protecting The Independent Adjuster's File From Disclosure in Litigation," Claims, October 1988 [reprinted in Adjuster's Guide and in OFA Newsletter, July 1988]; "Court Delay - Reduction Act To Impact Claims," Claims, May 1988; "Analysis - Royal Globe, May It Rest In Peace," Claims, September, 1988; "Pending Aviation Bills 100th Congress," OFA Newsletter, January 1989; "Architect Liability for Design Defects," Sun/Coast Architect/Builder, July, 1988; Aviation Source Directory, 2nd Edition (1989); "New Theory of Airport Immunity Emerges From Bethman Decision," The Binder, July 1990, "A New Immunity For Airports: Federal Preemption," Airport Services, November/December 1990; "Immunity: Cooperation With Investigation," OFA Newsletter, March 1991; "Motor Carrier Insurance Policies: What Every Lawyer Should Know", San Francisco Daily Journal, October 6, 2010. He is a Contributing Editor to Claims; Claims Intelligence Report; a Contributor to training curriculum of American Institute for Property & Liability Underwriters; a member of: Panel of Arbitrators, San Francisco Superior Court; Pro Tem Settlement Judge, San Francisco Superior Court; Sacramento Superior Court panel of mediators; Sonoma Superior Court panel of mediators; an Expert Witness (insurance claims procedures);  Martindale-Hubbell rated AV Preeminent (highest rating) and Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers 2008; selected as one of Northern California’s "Superlawyers 2008."

Morey’s thirty-three year practice includes experience in many aspects of casualty and insurance matters, including transportation, construction defect, municipal liability, professional liability, products liability, environmental, insurance bad faith, insurance coverage, and psychological injuries. He has represented litigants in the California state courts up to the California Supreme Court and the federal courts up to the United States Supreme Court, and has handled construction defect, property damage and insurance matters in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Minnesota and Puerto Rico.

Morey’s recent trials include an chemical contamination case of national significance for a public entity, a case of substantial physical injuries, a construction defect case, and a construction subrogation action.

Mr. Martinet possesses an unparalleled understanding surrounding the complexities of the construction defect industry, the nuances of insurance coverage and effective mediation techniques. His industry experience spans more than 32 years and includes more than 350 million dollars in projects, 3,500+ consulting assignments, hundreds of depositions and more than 75 trials/binding arbitrations/judicial references in both state and federal court. Mr. Martinet is a licensed General Contractor in multiple states and holds a B.S. in Construction Management. Mr. Martinet founded MC Consultants more than 20 years ago and guided the firm to its current nationwide position. He left MC Consultants to launch Lima Solutions, whose neutral experts specialize in the swift resolution of complex construction related claims and cases. Under Mr. Martinet’s guidance, Lima Solutions is trailblazing a unique conflict resolution process, VE-ADR, that is effective in reducing time, stress and expenses for its clients. Learn more about Mr. Martinet and Lima Solutions at www.limasolutions.com.

Linda Pretzel has over 40 years claims and risk management experience. In addition to her extensive involvement in Construction Defect litigation (emphasis on Wraps and Developers), Linda has expertise in handling E & O (Architects, Engineers, Legal, Real-estate, Accounting, and Insurance agents), D & O, and EPLI claims. Linda’s educational background includes a Juris Doctorate and a Masters in Finance.