Education

Law School/Year: University of San Diego, 1993

College/Year: Heidelberg University, Germany, 1988-1989; San Diego State University, 1990, cum laude

Bar Admissions

California; U.S. District Court, Southern District

Practice Areas

Business Litigation, Construction, Insurance, Product Liability, Real Estate

Major Cases

My diverse practice includes construction, real estate, professional liability, product liability, drug liability and business litigation. I was lead defense counsel in the One Harborcase, a twin-tower, 42-story luxury condominium construction lawsuit where I represented both the general contractor and developer joint venture. I have handled numerous commercial and residential WRAP and E.I.F.S. cases on both high-rise and conventional construction, in addition to hundreds of residential subcontractor cases. My practice also includes complex real estate transactions and litigation for both commercial and residential properties, as well as complex drug and products liability cases.

Professional Background

I am the head of Klinedinst’s Real Estate, Construction and Land Use Department and serve as the firm’s chief real estate officer. I have achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards, and have also been named to the prestigious San Diego Super Lawyers list for the past four years (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010). I am very active in both the construction and real estate industries. I offer a unique perspective to clients because I am also a Real Estate Broker, Realtor and investor. This allows me to counsel my clients on all aspects of real estate, construction and business transactions.

Professional Affiliations

I am active in both the construction and real estate industries as a member of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County, Associated General Contractors, San Diego Association of Realtors, San Diego County Bar Association and San Diego Defense Lawyers. I also served on the BIA Construction Defect Resolution Committee that participated in drafting the SB-800 and Third Party Review legislation. Additionally, I have authored several articles and am a frequent speaker on construction, WRAP insurance, real estate, business litigation, insurance and green building issues.

Personal Background

I was born in Montana, but spent much of my youth in Germany and Spain. I am fluent in German and studied law and political science at Heidelberg University in Germany before earning my law degree at the University of San Diego. I have traveled the world my entire life. I achieved my black belt after four years of practicing Taekwondo, which I taught for an additional five years. I love deep-sea fishing, diving, white-water rafting, camping, and traveling with my wife and children.