Building Codes Consultants: 24

As an arbitrator, structural/civil engineer, and expert forensic consultant with nearly four decades of experience, Casey Hemmatyar has provided extensive expert services for defendants’ and plaintiffs’ attorneys on numerous construction litigation matters throughout the United States and Canada.

He has been retained as an expert engineer in over one hundred litigation matters on single and class-action legal cases by the U.S. government, law firms, and insurance carriers at the State and Federal levels, working with both plaintiff and defendant sides.

A partial list of litigation cases is available upon request. His understanding of core engineering and legal concepts has enabled him to assist a wide range of clientele effectively. He brings diversified experience in structural and civil engineering design and forensic engineering, investigation, and evaluation.

He also conducts research, has assisted in the development of building codes and standards, and has supervised the construction of domestic and international projects. His experience includes special structures and new buildings as well as modifications, alterations, seismic/hurricane retrofits, and upgrades to existing structures. He has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, and damage assessment services for numerous litigation and insurance-related matters.

He actively presents continuing education lectures to audiences of licensed engineers, architects, and general contractors on topics of structural and forensic engineering throughout North America. Mr. Hemmatyar has been the principal structural engineer on high-profile projects for prestigious clients, including NASA and other notable organizations.  Currently, he directs PSFEG and has served as Director for SEAOSC from 2011 to 2013.

His work encompasses a diverse range of structures, including hospitals,  educational institutions (including schools and universities), telecommunication centers, aviation facilities, government buildings, laboratories, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential structures.

Mike Panish is one of the most frequently retained consultants for all construction related services and trades with specialties in Doors, Door Hardware, Security, Automatic Doors, Cabinetry & Architectural Millwork. Mike is often used in the early stages of a lawsuit or claim, or prior to a law firm’s acceptance of a case to analyze the information provided by a prospective client. He is frequently called upon by insurance companies to evaluate a claim because of his knowledge and highly diverse background. He has been a retained expert witness in over 2000 legal cases since the year 2000, and regularly consults on issues that are not involved in legal disputes.

Mike Panish is referred by attorneys that have worked with him or have been on the opposing sides to help resolve a potential claim or legal dispute prior to filing an action. Contractor fraud, dispute resolution for homeowners/contractors. Licensed in CA as a General Building Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Door, Lock & Security Equipment Contractor, Cabinet & Millwork Contractor, and Painting & Finish Specialties Contractor. 40+ years hands-on experience in all construction trades with over 2000 cases since the year 2000. Local to CA & New England. Nationwide Inspection & Testimony, all states and internationally. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Automatic Door Personal Injury, Wrongful Death Cases
• Door and Door Hardware Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Defects Cases
• Cabinetry, Architectural Millwork, Furniture Personal injury, Defects Cases
• Slip, Trip, Fall / Railings / ADA Personal Injury Cases
• General Construction (all trades) Defects Cases, Personal Injury Cases, Wrongful Death
• Premises Liability, Premises Security for Criminal Cases, Elder Abuse Cases, Wrongful Death
• Building Inspections (all types), Site Evaluation, Product Evaluation, Defect Analysis, Poor Workmanship, Costs & Estimates, Plans Analysis, Proper Installation, Claim Analysis

View Michael Panish's Expert Witness Profile.

William R. Acorn is founder of Acorn Consulting Services, LLC, an engineering firm. As a consulting mechanical engineer, Bill provides project analysis, forensic reconstructions and litigation support services relating to the design, delivery, and functioning of high-tech manufacturing facilities, semiconductor fabrication facilities, institutional laboratories, data centers, health care facilities and a variety of commercial buildings. He is a recognized expert in the evaluation of deficiencies in HVAC systems, cleanrooms, piping systems, refrigeration systems, construction defects, building and fire code compliance, and patent and trade secret disputes. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants.

Bill has more than 40 years of experience as a professional engineer and is a recognized expert in assessing, evaluating, remediating and providing testimony on complex project design, construction and operational matters. His consulting expertise has been influential in shaping approaches to code compliance and life safety in semiconductor and similar advanced technology facilities.

Certifications and Designations:

• Registered as a Professional Mechanical Engineer in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.
• Registered with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying NCEES (Certificate No. 6999)
• Fellow in the HVAC industry leading organization ASHRAE
• Visiting lecturer at the Arizona State University Del E. Webb School of Construction in Tempe, AZ
• Advisor to CREATE, ACE – Alliance for Construction Excellence and the IAB – Industry Advisory Board, all affiliated with ASU

Building Systems Analysis:

HVAC and Refrigeration Process and Power Piping Plumbing Systems Standard of Care in Design and Construction

Chemical Exposures in the Workplace Cleanroom Design and Performance Codes and Standards Patent and Trade Secret Disputes

Litigation Support: Bill’s pragmatic approach to both forensic and litigation consulting as well as project consulting is based on more than 40 years of real-world experience as a design professional, mentor and forensic analyst, as well as many years as an instructor in professional and academic settings. Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of jurisdictions throughout the US and Asia. Bill’s ability to explain complex issues to non-technical audiences, including juries, mediators and judges, is a key to successfully solving your litigation challenges.

• Forensic Analysis
• Strategic Litigation Consulting
• Trial Demonstratives
• Expert Testimony

Acorn Consulting Services

Consulting Services: Services range from peer review to conceptual design to development of strategies and programs for expedited project delivery.

Bill frequently acts as an owner’s agent and mentor, functioning as an extension of the owner’s project team. On other projects, Bill serves as a subject matter expert assisting project delivery firms in their development of viable solutions and review of construction documents.

As a project consultant, Bill assures the project gets off to the right start and provides his expertise through completion and operation to maximize return on investment.

Consulting Expertise Includes:

• Project Design and Management Consulting
• Forensic Analysis and Litigation Consulting
• Mentoring & Advanced Education

Advanced Building Consultants provides expert services for a wide range of Construction and Environmental issues. Their clients include homeowners, insurance companies, businesses, and attorneys. Advanced Building Consultants serves clients throughout the Southeastern United States.

Construction Services: Construction Management Building Codes Building Construction Roofing Cost Estimating

Environmental Services: Causation and Origin Healthy Habitat Remediation Damage Estimates

Principal, Clinton J. Ford, MS, ACA, CGC, CIAQM, CIE, CMR, CRMI, is a former Continuing Education Sponsor for the Florida Construction Licensing Board and has been a licensed Florida Certified General Contractor since 1981. He has many years of construction experience on projects ranging from $5,000 to $50,000,000 and has been providing consulting and expert witness work for both construction and environmental issues since 1994.

Mr. Ford has obtained both field experience and education in the following four distinct but often related disciplines of Construction, Environmental, Real Estate and Insurance, and holds many titles and over thirty years of construction experience with twenty-five years as a State Certified General Contractor.

Over the years Mr. Ford has combined his extensive construction knowledge with cause and origin of water intrusion and environmental issues offering an exceptional understanding of Building Science and its relationship to contamination from biological agents such as toxic mold, mycotoxins, bacteria and endotoxin’s.

View Clinton Ford's Expert Witness Profile.

Dr. Randall Atlas AIA , CPP is a Registered Architect, NCARB certified, and he practices Criminal Justice Architecture and Environmental Security Design. Atlas is a certified protection professional (CPP) with the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), and is an appointed member of the ASIS Security Architecture and Engineering Committee. Atlas has his doctorate in criminology and a masters of architecture. Dr Atlas is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture for Justice Committee.

Dr. Atlas has taught CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) and criminal justice courses at Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Miami, Keiser University, and he is a trainer with the National Crime Prevention Institute at the University of Louisville. Dr. Atlas has been a technical Assistance consultant with the National Institute of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, and the Florida Department of Corrections and U.S. HUD Drug Elimination CPTED Program.

He has conducted ADA accessibility compliance audits for private and public sector clients, and served as an expert witness on over 200 premises liability lawsuits.

Dr. Atlas has been a speaker and trainer at security conferences from New Delhi, India to Seattle, Washington and has written over 200 articles in various publications on security, safety, and counter terrorism issues.

Gregory J. Cahanin Fire & Code Consulting works with clients to evaluate designs and buildings against code requirements, and resolve compliance issues identified by building or fire code officials. Services are available to architects, designers, property owners, and manufacturers.

 Services:

Fire Protection Analysis Fire Rated Construction Specifications Sprinkler specification and design Fire Alarm System specification

Atria Smoke Management Systems Hazardous Materials Handling and Storage Life Safety Code Compliance Pre-submittal Plan Review

Gregory J. Cahanin has worked in the Fire Protection and Life Safety field for over 40 years. He is nationally recognized as a Life Safety and Fire Protection expert, working with manufacturers on product and fire code development in addition to working with designers and building owners to achieve compliance. 

Background - Mr. Cahanin served as a Senior Life Safety Engineer with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the organization that writes Fire Protection Codes and Standards. He was staff liaison for building construction standards and the Fire Prevention Code. Special project work included support of the International Division of NFPA in a survey of fire protection for all oil production facilities of LaGoven SA in Venezuela; an evaluation of the existing airport terminal in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and a code comparison study for the National Institute of Building Sciences. Mr. Cahanin investigated multiple fatality fires for NFPA and his reports are nationally published and peer reviewed. Mr. Cahanin holds Professional Grade Membership in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Mr. Cahanin has earned three undergraduate degrees in Fire Science and Fire Protection and a Master in Public Administration. Projects of Note:

• Hemingway Pilar Rum Distillery
• Hemingway Pilar Rum Bottling Plant
• Space Machine Brazing Dip Facility
• Sarasota Opera House Smoke Control System
• Hydrotech Rubberized Asphalt Melters
• Cornell Cookson UL Standard Development
• Smokeguard Corporation Elevator Lobby Standards
• Mahaffey Theater Renovation
• Thermotex Corporation Theater Fire Curtains

View Gregory Cahanin's Expert Witness Profile.

CLM Engineering Associates has the ability to provide a vast array of services to real estate brokers, developers, home purchases/owners. President of the firm, Craig L. Moskowitz, PE, is a Civil Engineer with extensive Construction Management experience on both commercial and residential projects. His firm handles commercial and residential building inspections as it pertains to warranty and pre-purchase inspections as well as to handle specific Structural or Civil Engineering issues related to a property. 

Experience: Mr. Moskowitz has performed safety inspections on both civilian and military projects through the application of OSHA regulations. He has designed drainage systems for the government while an officer with the United States military and done cost estimating for various projects exceeding $500 million. 

Mr. Moskowitz has designed document creation and management of high-rise construction in Manhattan. He has managed telecommunications projects for Verizon in Manhattan including CPM schedule creation and updating and directed and managed all water distribution system and sewer system work while working as a contractor to the New York City Department of Design and Construction. CLM are specialists in the following areas:

• Traditional Commercial and Residential Building Inspections
• Storm Damage Assessment, Analysis and Reporting
• Comprehensive Construction Management
• Cost Estimating for Projects Ranging from $50,000 to in Excess of $1 billion
• Construction Scheduling and Delay Analysis
• Building Code and Drawing Review

View Craig Moskowitz's Expert Witness Profile.

Complete General Contractors, Inc., is a licensed General Contracting Construction Firm working throughout the Southeast for insurance companies, property owners, property managers, attorneys, and municipalities. They specialize in the cost estimation and causation of large loss complex property claims. Services Include:

• Appraisal and Mediation Services - Fire, wind, flood, storm, hail, and water losses to residential, commercial, or industrial properties
• General Contracting Services - Restoration or general construction, commercial construction, or industrial construction projects all over the United States. Manage vendors and trades, handle project documents, and serve as an authority for project information to all parties throughout the construction process

John G. Minor, President of Complete General Contractors, is a third-generation Contractor and licensed instructor certified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He is a recognized expert on the costs and applications necessary to repair buildings damaged by manufacturer, builder liability, water damage or intrusion, mold, or asbestos. Mr. Minor has provided for the successful restoration of millions of dollars in insurance restoration, building failures, and difficult repairs originating from defective construction practices and materials such as fire, wind, water, mold and mildew. His services were in demand for restoration on custom buildings on Bald Head Island. In addition to managing the business of Complete, Inc., John Minor teaches classes on mold and mildew remediation and prevention through proper building practices to a variety of clients thru Lorman Educational Services and other professional trainers. View John Minor's Expert Witness Profile.

Construction Strategies provides a complete range of Construction and Construction Consulting services. They offer pre-construction services for owners considering future projects who need assistance in evaluating the feasibility and conceptual costs. Construction Strategies also offers post construction services for owners who are facing close out problems including conflict resolution, mediation assistance, close out service completion, punch lists, and warranty assistance.

Pre-Construction Services Value Engineering Analysis Constructability Reviews Design Team Management Scope Package Development Estimate Evaluations Bid Evaluations & Recommendations Contract Negotiation Support Program Procedures Scheduling Development or Analysis

Post-Construction Services Change Order Negotiation Contract Administration Dispute Resolution Management Information System Document Control Systems Post Completion Analysis Quality Control Inspections Code Compliance Inspections Close Out Evaluation

Principal, Sanford C. Loy , CCM, B.Arch, MSCE, has over 40 years of experience in the Construction Industry. Mr. Loy has Degrees in Architecture and Engineering. A Certified Construction Manager (CCM), he is committed to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice established by the Construction Management Association of America. CCM is the ANSI accredited professional designation for construction management and is the gold standard for CM service providers in over 145 countries.

Background Experience - Mr. Loy's experience spans virtually every type of building and design process. His strength centers on his understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the various trades and professions unique to every building project. He has experience with Construction Management at Risk, Construction Management Agency, Design-build, and Design-bid-build. Having successfully managed the completion of over one billion dollars of construction, Mr. Loy served as a Regional Engineer for the American Institute of Steel Construction and as Director of Construction and Development for Belz Enterprises, the largest development company in Tennessee, before founding Construction Strategies in 1988.

See more at our website: https://www.construction-strategies.com

View Sanford Loy's Expert Witness Profile.

DM Bekus Construction is a New Jersey Home Design, Construction, and Remodeling Contractor. For over 30 years they've been helping homeowners throughout the area improve properties and build homes. DM Bekus Construction delivers high quality, reliable construction services that help homeowners get more pleasure and enjoyment from their homes and buildings.

Services Include:

New Home Construction Interior Remodeling Exterior Remodeling

Construction Project Management Homeowner Association Construction Expert Witness Services

Principal, David M. Bekus has over 35 years in the Construction Industry specializing in home design, construction, and remodeling. He offers services to homeowner associations, housing communities, townhome complexes, property managers, and individuals.

Mr. Bekus is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a building inspector (RCS, ICS, and HHS), a licensed home remodeler, and a licensed new home builder. He is also certified in Project Management, Cost Estimating, Construction Methods, Construction Site Safety, and is a EPA Lead Safe Certified Contractor.

Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. He has designed and built over 100 custom homes.

View David Bekus' Expert Witness Profile.

• Over 35 years of experience in Mechanical / Structural Engineering & Design, Failure Analysis, Product Liability, Industural Asbestos,Pressure Vessel & Boiler analysis and evaluation of mechanical and structural components.
• Extensive trial experience. Has been involved in multi-million dollar cases. Areas involved included:

  
  

  - Piping & pipe supports - Structural failure of products - Failure analysis - Industrial asbestos - Seismic analysis - Fire protection - Pressure vessels

  - Tanks - Construction - Heat transfer analysis - Environmental qualification of equipment - Welding - Product design - Patent information

• Expertise in developing litigation rate-case exhibits and detailed supporting testimony, and in organizing case documentation into easy-to-use computer databases for trial use.

Expanded Resources LLC is a Construction-related Consulting firm with areas of expertise in Strategic Business Consulting and Construction Management Training. They seek to provide exceptional client service and satisfaction by blending practical experience with business savvy.

Strategic Business Consulting - Expanded Resources provides innovative solutions to help clients solve problems and improve processes. They appreciate the unique characteristics of all businesses, whether municipal agencies or private firms.

Approach Includes:

• Formulating strategies for change and improvement
• Solving problems through collaborative sessions
• Providing practical recommendations and helpful solutions
• Developing standard operating procedures, guidelines, and manuals
• Establishing key performance indicators
• Training

Construction Management Training

Expanded Resources uses real-world experience to teach industry best practices in construction project management. They assess the experience level of their audience, the time allocated for training, and the interests of our client to develop learning objectives and a curriculum tailored to suit the client’s needs.

Training is provided in-person and virtually (synchronous or asynchronous) for all levels of learners in a variety of roles including senior and junior level staff who work for private developers, contractors, and city agencies in project management, procurement, business, and workforce development. 

Kiwesa King, PE, CCM, DBIA, PMP, has been engaged in the Vertical Construction Market for over nearly 30 years. She has managed restoration, renovation, and ground-up construction projects. 

Ms. King has worked in the role of engineer, subcontractor, general contractor, and construction manager. She teaches undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses in Construction Management at New York University and Fordham University.

Expertise includes Construction Management, Administration, Means and Methods, Standard of Care, Property Damage, and Injury.

Degrees and Certifications:

• New York State Licensed Professional Engineer
• Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Licensed Master Fire Suppression Contractor and a Site Safety Manager by the New York City Department of Buildings
• Certified as a Construction Manager by the Construction Management Association of America
• Designated Design-Build Professional from the Design-Build Institute of America

View Kiwesa King's Expert Witness Profile.

Roger W. Griffith, PE, has over 37 years of professional experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the design, maintenance, and operation of mechanical systems. He specializes in the areas of Plumbing, HVAC, and Fire Sprinkler Systems Design.

Background - As the principal of Griffith Engineering & Consulting for 23 years, his design experience with commercial and industrial projects include convention centers, schools, office buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels, churches, manufacturing facilities, medical buildings, restaurants, historic buildings, dormitories, fire halls, and maintenance facilities. Prior to that, Mr. Griffith worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a mechanical engineer for 14 years. 

His roles at TVA included nuclear piping analyst, valve and heat exchanger specialist, maintenance engineer, and later maintenance supervisor at a fossil plant, and quality manager. His engineering roles included failure analysis of plant equipment. He also taught many courses on the subject of problem-solving and failure analysis for company employees.

Consulting Services:

HVAC Design Plumbing Design Hot Water Systems Design

Legionella Outbreaks HVAC Design Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Sprinkler System Design

View Roger W. Griffith's Expert Witness Profile.

Dr. Fari Barzegar is a Licensed Engineer with 37 years of experience in Civil and Structural Engineering & Construction Forensics, Construction Project Management, university teaching/research. He has been an Expert Consultant / Witness in over 100-cases.

Litigation Consulting Expert Witness with testimony and trial experience. Has been retained by insurance companies, law firms, construction, energy, mining, technology & manufacturing industries, governmental & educational institutions, engineering and architectural firms, property owners and individuals. Consultant in both plaintiff and defendant cases.

• Insurance Claims, Peer Reviews
• Buildings, Structures & Materials: Residential, Commercial, Institutional, Historic Structures; Bridges, Towers, Stacks/Chimneys, Containment Vessels, Tanks, Grain Silos, Conduits & Pipelines, Retaining Walls, Foundations, Slabs & Pavements; Concrete, Steel, FRP Composites, Wood, CMU, Brick Masonry & Adobe
• Design / Construction / Integrity issues, Seismic Resistant Design; Errors & Omissions;Standards of Care; Repair & Retrofit Design Documents
• Construction Defects & Accidents; Defective Concrete; OSHA Standards, Excavations / Trenching / Scaffolds
• Slip/Trip/Fall, Code Compliance
• Damage & Failure Investigation; Due Diligence; Non-Destructive Testing 
• Explosion, Impact, Earthquake, Wind, Fire, Hurricane & Flood Damage Inspections / Analysis/Report
• Pile Driving & Demolition Damage to Adjacent Facilities: Vibrations, Cracking / Settlement
• Dynamic, Fracture, Thermal & Finite Element Stress Analysis; Product Design; Failure Simulation / Reconstruction
• Intellectual Property & Patent Infringement

Indian River Construction Services, Inc., offers many services to Home Owners, Home Owner Associations, Property Managers, and Building Owners. The most licensed construction firm in the state of Florida, they consult on project and building plans to help determine suitability, feasibility and cost controls for:

New Construction - Construction Repairs - Construction Additions - Construction Remodeling - Real Estate Improvements

Indian River Construction also has extensive experience in performing Insurance Adjusting Services as Florida Licensed Public Insurance Adjusters. This means they work for you and not for the insurance company, allowing them to get the best possible insurance settlement from insurance claims, whether that be a fire, flood, or hurricane. 

Andrew Allocco, PE, Principal at Indian River Construction Services is a leading Construction Consultant, Florida Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, and Real Estate Broker. With over 45 years of experience in his fields of expertise, Mr. Allocco's services are sought by individuals, corporations, developers, and law firms to oversee and advise on construction projects. He is the current owner of construction, real estate, and engineering consulting firms.

Background Experience - Mr. Allocco is the President of Indian River Construction Services, Inc. Prior to his current role, he served as the President of Better Homes Construction Services, Inc. of Miami, Florida, which performed in excess of 40,000 Building Inspections. A Forensic Consulting Engineer, he inspects Commercial, Residential, and Industrial Facilities before, during, and after construction. He assists property owners with complex insurance claims, some of which involve significant and lengthy litigation

Mr. Allocco is not only licensed in the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer and Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, he holds more licenses both presently active and past than any other individual in the State, including:

BA, SUNY Maritime College, Marine Nuclear Engineering Florida Licensed Professional Engineer Florida Certified General Contractor Florida Certified Mechanical Contractor Florida Certified Air Conditioning Contractor Florida Certified Roofing Contractor

Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor Florida Certified Electrical Contractor Florida Certified Commercial Swimming Pool & Spa Contractor Florida Licensed Home Inspector Florida Licensed Solar Contractor Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker

View Andrew Allocco's Expert Witness Profile.