Anaheim California Expert Witness Engineer Directory

Backpacks, Broadway, and Building Restrictions: A Legal Reminder

September 15, 2025 — Matthew DeVries - Best Practices Construction Law
A few weeks ago, I took two of my girls to New York City for a quick overnight trip to see two Broadway shows. My rule for packing was simple: one backpack each. No rolling bags, no extras. We were walking the city, checking into a hotel, and going straight to the shows. The plain meaning of my instructions were clear: one bag per person. That’s exactly how the Tennessee Court of Appeals handled a recent case, Killen v. Boardman (Aug. 2025). A landowner tried to build a second house after subdividing her lot. But the subdivision restrictions, recorded in 1971, said: "Not more than one residence shall be erected on one tract." The court enforced the restriction as written. One tract meant one residence. Splitting the lot didn’t erase the covenant or the developer’s plan for the subdivision. What made the analysis significant was the court’s reliance on the general plan doctrine, which holds that that when developer sells land with restrictions designed to implement a general plan of development, he “impliedly represents to the purchasers that the rest of the land included in the plan is, or will be, similarly restricted.” Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Matthew DeVries, Buchalter
Mr. DeVries may be contacted at mdevries@buchalter.com

Super Lawyers Names Five White and Williams LLP Attorneys to its Metro New York Lists

December 02, 2025 — White and Williams LLP
White and Williams LLP is proud to announce that five attorneys in the firm’s New York City office have been recognized on the 2025 Metro New York Super Lawyers and Rising Star lists. This recognition highlights our attorney's exceptional legal acumen, and their commitment to client service excellence. Lawyers are selected for inclusion in Metro New York Area Super Lawyers and Rising Stars through a process that considers independent research, peer recognition and the professional achievements of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of White and Williams LLP

Ninth Circuit Clarifies Viability of Takings Claims Under Arizona’s Unclaimed Property Act

November 09, 2025 — Ed J. Hermes, Jeremy J. Stewart, Benjamin J. Mills & Emily Statham - Snell & Wilmer
In a decision cementing a split with the Tenth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit recently held that property owners’ unclaimed property is not taken in violation of the Fifth Amendment where it is held in trust by the State. See Garza v. Woods, No. 24-1064, 2025 WL 2435221 (9th Cir. Aug. 25, 2025). The district court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims because sovereign immunity barred suit against the Arizona Department of Revenue (“Department”). See Garza v. Woods, No. CV-22-01310-PHX-JJT, 2023 WL 5608414 (D. Ariz. Aug. 30, 2023). The Ninth Circuit reversed this portion of the district court decision and allowed plaintiffs’ takings and due process claims because they plausibly alleged that the Department unconstitutionally seized their property under Arizona’s Unclaimed Property Law (“UPA”). Arizona’s Unclaimed Property Law Arizona’s UPA presumes that certain types of property have been abandoned if unclaimed within a statutory period. See Ariz. Rev. Stat. 44-302(A). Holders of presumably abandoned property must send a written notice to the apparent owner, provide a report to the Department, and ultimately deliver the unclaimed property to the Department. Id. 44-302(E), 44-308(A). Though the Department need not provide actual notice to apparent owners that it is in possession of their property, the UPA requires the Department to operate a website that lists the unclaimed property in its possession. See id. 44-309 (A), 44-309(B). The UPA further requires the Department to deposit all unclaimed money in the state’s general fund. Id. 44-313(A). Reprinted courtesy of Ed J. Hermes, Snell & Wilmer, Jeremy J. Stewart, Snell & Wilmer, Benjamin J. Mills, Snell & Wilmer and Emily Statham, Snell & Wilmer Mr. Hermes may be contacted at ehermes@swlaw.com Mr. Stewart may be contacted at jjstewart@swlaw.com Mr. Mills may be contacted at bemills@swlaw.com Ms. Statham may be contacted at estatham@swlaw.com Read the full story...

GRSM New York Founding Partner Mercedes Colwin Honored with 2025 Excellence in Diversity Award by PLUS Foundation

November 09, 2025 — Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
The Excellence in Diversity Award is presented annually to a member of the insurance industry who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. Honorees are recognized for creating meaningful change through mentoring, advocacy, thought leadership, and the development of inclusive policies and initiatives that broaden opportunities for underrepresented groups. Colwin was selected for her longstanding dedication to fostering inclusive workplace cultures, her active mentorship of diverse attorneys and professionals, and her visible role as a thought leader on the national stage. In addition to her leadership within GRSM, she has made a significant impact on the broader insurance and professional liability industries by raising awareness of equity issues, supporting educational initiatives, and championing the next generation of diverse talent. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP

New California Law Mandates Prompt Resolution of Change Order Payment Disputes on Private Works of Improvement

January 05, 2026 — Samuel Bucher, Marc Coats & William S. Hale, P.E. - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
On October 10, 2025, Governor Newsom signed SB 440, titled the Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act. The new law introduces a process and deadlines for handling change order, time extension and payment disputes on private-works construction projects. SB 440 will apply to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, and will remain in effect until January 1, 2030. What Is Changing? Construction projects often undergo changes during the construction process that may result in additional costs for labor and materials. Currently, there are no specific processes mandated for resolving change orders on private works of improvement in California. On January 1, 2017, California implemented Public Contract Code section 9204 to provide a claims resolution process for contractors engaged in public works projects, and SB 440 seeks to implement a similar process for private, nonresidential construction projects. Reprinted courtesy of Samuel Bucher, Pillsbury, Marc Coats, Pillsbury and William S. Hale, P.E., Pillsbury Mr. Bucher may be contacted at samuel.bucher@pillsburylaw.com Mr. Coats may be contacted at marc.coats@pillsburylaw.com Mr. Hale may be contacted at william.hale@pillsburylaw.com Read the full story...

Los Angeles Office Secures Summary Judgment for Electric Company Client in Asbestos Lawsuit

August 18, 2025 — Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
Los Angeles, Calif. (July 22, 2025) - Los Angeles Partner Rod Cappy recently obtained summary judgment for his electric company client in a lawsuit brought by an electrician who claimed he developed mesothelioma in part due to exposure to asbestos-containing products distributed by the client. The plaintiff filed his lawsuit in October 2024, alleging that he developed mesothelioma due to occupational exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing products sold by a slew of companies during his career as an electrician, first in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1967 and then in private industry from 1967-2001. He claimed that he was exposed to asbestos-containing electronic products distributed by Lewis Brisbois’ client to two of his employers. The plaintiff’s demand as to the client was in the mid-six figures. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

Recent Sanctions Against a Plaintiff for Suspected Use of AI in Brief Writing a Stark Reminder of the Increasing Prevalence of AI

September 15, 2025 — Nicole Johnson - Kahana Feld
With new AI tools popping up every day, attorneys can no longer trust that opposing counsel’s citations and propositions of law are accurate, and courts are not happy about it. Since May of 2023, courts in the United States have issued 212 sanctions decisions regarding generative AI-produced hallucinations in legal filings. 169 of those decisions were rendered this year. While AI pleadings are commonly used by pro se litigants, nearly half of these infractions were committed by legal professionals, including attorneys, paralegals, and judges. Although some courts have been lenient, the use of AI without conducting a thorough review of all citations can expose a lawyer to significant risks. For example, a recent order from the District of Arizona sanctioned an attorney for the suspected use of AI in drafting the plaintiff’s opening brief. The attorney in question is the owner of a national social security disability practice and appears pro hoc vice in courts across the country. In this case, the sanctioned counsel received a brief from a contract attorney, which she apparently signed and filed without checking any of the citations or propositions of law. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Nicole Johnson, Kahana Feld
Ms. Johnson may be contacted at njohnson@kahanafeld.com

Kahana Feld Earns Recognition in Five Practice Areas in 2026 Best Law Firms® Rankings

December 15, 2025 — Eva Paulson - Kahana Feld
IRVINE, CA – Nov. 6, 2025 – Kahana Feld is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized across five practice areas in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®. Now in its 16th year, Best Law Firms provides a comprehensive guide to the top-performing firms across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions. A listing of Kahana Feld’s 2026 rankings follows: Orange County

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Metropolitan Tier 2)
Litigation – Real Estate (Metropolitan Tier 3)
Real Estate Law (Metropolitan Tier 3)

New York City

Litigation – Insurance (Metropolitan Tier 3)

Houston

Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (Metropolitan Tier 3)

Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Eva Paulson, Kahana Feld
Ms. Paulson may be contacted at epaulson@kahanafeld.com

ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES