Architects - Architecture Expert Witnesses, Page 1

Paul Albanese, ASGCA has over 33 years of experience in Golf Course Architecture and Design. He has designed or remodeled over 500 golf courses in states around the nation and in countries around the world including Bulgaria, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, India, Morrocco, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Litigation Support - Mr. Albanese has been an expert witness in approximately 15 cases, with over 500 hours in case preparation. Most of the cases on which he has worked have settled with favorable terms. Mr. Albanese provides expert advice to both defendants and plaintiffs. He brings an unparalleled level of unbiased legal expertise to the table. His mission is to provide an accurate assessment of golf course related circumstances, and facts to clients, to enable them to make informed decisions about their case.

Areas of Expertise:

Golf Course Design Issues
Golf Course Architecture Issues
Golf Course Safety
Golf Course Construction Issues

Golf Course Cost Segregation Issues
Brownfield Assessments
Bidding and Contract Issues
Permitting Issues

Degrees and Certifications:

Harvard University, Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA). 1993
Cornell University, Bachelor of Science in Engineering. 1990

Awards and Honors:

Top Ten Best New Course 2009 (Golf Digest)
Top Ten Best New Course 2019 (Golf Digest)
Golf Course of the Year 2022 -- National Golf Course Owners Association

• Paul Albanese's Curriculum Vitae

• Biography

• Services

• International Work

• Projects

ARCHforensic specializes in providing Forensic Architecture, Forensic Engineering, and Construction Claims Services to help clients navigate the construction litigation process. While construction is complex, their experienced forensic architect and engineer professionals understand client needs and objectives. They are focused and committed to excellence in each project while exceeding expectations.

Christopher D. Ling, IA, NCARB, PP, LEED AP, is a Forensic Architect with extensive experience in construction litigation, risk management, and architectural design. He specializes in analyzing and resolving complex construction disputes, having written reports for over 1,000 cases involving $1 billion in claims. He has testified in mediations, arbitrations, and federal court cases.

Mr. Ling has an ability to distill and communicate intricate design and construction issues clearly has been instrumental in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings. He has a hands-on approach to conducting physical inspections, preparing expert reports, and analyzing construction claims, which further solidifies my qualifications.

Areas of Expertise

Forensic Investigations
Cost Estimating
Construction Administration
Architectural Risk Assessment
Risk Management
ADA Compliance

Code Analysis
Building Envelope
Master Planning
Physical Inspections
Construction Disputes
Construction Defects

Background Experience - Mr. Ling has been involved in the construction industry since 1986, holding multiple architectural licenses and national certifications. His experience spans forensic investigations of construction defects, code analysis, master planning, and risk management for projects of all scales. Additionally, Mr. Ling published a book on the Architect’s Standard of Care and have presented seminars for legal and professional organizations.

• Christoper D. Ling's Curriculm Vitae

• Company Bio

• Services

• Expert Witness Services

• Testimonials

12/1/2025 · Architecture

Ethics and Subject Expertise Favor Architects as Arbitrator

By: Christopher D. Ling, AIA, NCARB

Architects follow similar ethical rules, which, coupled with their inherent general understanding of the construction process, make them excellent candidates to serve as arbitrators in American Arbitration Association (AAA) proceedings, especially those involving construction disputes.

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4/30/2025 · Architecture

Embracing Best Practices in Local Construction

By: Christopher D. Ling, AIA, NCARB

This piece delves into the essence of best practices, elucidating how local contractors' skills, experiences, and comfort zones significantly influence the success of a project. It underscores the importance of architects being attuned to the local trade practices to ensure project success for the owner.

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The Architect's Standard of Care: A Forensic Analysis

Christopher D. Ling, AIA, et al

This book offers an invaluable guide for architects, lawyers, and construction professionals, demystifying the intricacies of the architect’s standard of care through a robust forensic lens. It is comprehensive and delves into what it means to uphold the architectural standard of care, why it matters, and how failure to do so can result in significant legal and professional consequences.

Architectural Forensics Consulting is a team of highly skilled professionals is committed to delivering exceptional services in Architectural Forensics. They are a trusted forensic and consulting company with over 50 years of combined professional experience throughout the US. ArchiForensics offers a range of expert witness, building-related claim defense, building enclosure commissioning, architectural review consulting, and due diligence actions for property acquisition.

Litigation Support - Architectural Forensics Consulting opines on professional practice issues, Architect’s standard of care, contract dispute, breech of duty, and other practice areas often encountered in claims involving the Architect’s performance or construction related issues. With years of experience and a team of experts who are actively practicing Architects with current AIA, NCARB, BECxP, and CSI accreditations, they provide top-notch analysis and reporting to help clients make informed decisions about their particular case or project.

Areas of Expertise:

Building Design and Construction
Architectural Review
Construction Defects
Building Enclosure Failure
Property Condition Assessments
ADA Evaluations
Water Infiltration

Roof Failure
Window Failure
Microbial Growth / Mold
Failure Analysis
Slip Trip & Fall
Moisture / Condensation Issues
Flood Damage, Building Inspection

Dan Weekes, AIA, NCARB, BECxP, CxA+BE, has over 25 years of Architectural and Engineering Building Envelope and consulting project management as well as litigation and deposition proceedings.

Mr. Weeks is responsible for many different types of investigations, forensic evaluations, and providing consulting services surrounding all areas of building design and construction. His focus is serving as an expert witness, building enclosure evaluations and commissioning, water infiltration investigations, architectural review consulting, property condition assessments, ADA evaluations, and construction administration services associated with construction and design.

As a licensed Architect, he also has experience with the design of new facilities and the implementation of repair programs to existing residential, commercial, and institutional facilities.

Jim Stutzman, AIA, NCARB, CSI has over 45 years of exceptional Building Construction and Investigative Design work with an emphasis on expert litigation cases and design coordination.

Mr. Stutzman is a Forensic Architect providing forensic analysis of building related claims, moisture intrusion claims, component problem and failure analysis, standard of care evaluation, dispute resolution, construction products liability, investigative analysis, reconstruction, cost-impact analysis and supporting documentation, timelines, and exhibits supporting claims for losses and remedy determination in courtroom and private settlements.

Forensic consulting services are focused on defense attorneys, insurance companies, financial institutions, developers, municipalities, and private clients.

View Architectural Forensic Consultants Business Consulting Profile.

• Expert Witness Services

Dr. Randy 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 Fellow member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

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.

• View Dr. Atlas' Curriculum Vitae

• View Dr. Atlas' Case List

9/26/2011 · Security

Schools Behind Bars? Designing Safe and Secure Environments for Schools and Colleges Doesn't Mean They Need to Look Like Detention Facilities