Building Design Expert Witnesses: 24

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:

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

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

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.

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:

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.

Timothy M. Barrett, RCI, RRC,  CSI, CDT, GRP, has 60 years of experience as a Roofing Contractor, Educator, Manufacturer, and Consultant in the Roofing and Waterproofing Industry. Notable projects have included the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Gold Bullion Vault at Ft. Knox, Soldier Field, Paris Casino, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Dept. of Interior Headquarters, Transbay Transit Center, and thousands of others.

In addition to standard roofing and waterproofing, Mr. Barrett Designs and Builds Green Vegetated Roofs which can provide incredible contributions to the environment. Having chaired the RCI Greenroof educational program development I and II Committees, and having delivered the program a number of times in the Midwest, the South, the West Coast, the East Coast, and Canada, he is current on the science and the state of the art.

Litigation Support: Mr. Barrett has over 45 years of experience consulting and testifying as a Roofing and Waterproofing Expert. He is very experienced with Forensic Investigations for Thermal and Moisture Protection Systems on commercial, institutional, and industrial waterproofing and roofing projects. Mr. Barrett's services include thorough forensic reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Certifications and Affiliations: Registered Roof Consultant (RRC); Roof Consultants Institute (RCI); Construction Document Technologist (CDT); Construction Specifications Institute (CSI); Green Roofing Professional (GRP); Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)

Thomas J. Young, PE, has over 39 years of experience in national and international Transportation Construction, the Civil Engineering specialty regarding highways, bridges, rail, airports, harbors, and associated infrastructure.

Mr. Young is a skilled integrator of the parameters of program and project life cycles, leadership, management, business operations, engineering and construction. He has extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, environmental processes, industry standards, best practices, and field operations in urban and remote areas.

Mr. Young has broad construction management and design background for many of the knowledge and skill areas required in mining operations, bridges, highways, land development, major soil/structure type facilities, land survey, and construction surveying, including work in Arctic facilities and in desert regions.

Selected Background Experience:

• Completed 34 bridge structure designs, seismic retrofits, and special studies, including large cut and cover tunnels and numerous other complex structures for the $700 million design/build Eastern Transportation Corridor toll roads in Orange County, California
• Bridge construction oversight on $1 billion Cypress Corridor reconstruction in Oakland, California. 
• $10 million Sunrise/Highway 50, and $40-$50 million Douglas/Interstate 80 Interchange and Corridor designs in Sacramento, California.
• Bridge and highway project development duties in Caltrans Districts 1-5, 7, 10-12.

Thomas J. Young: PowerTeam Interview

Litigation Support - Mr. Young can act as an expert witness in all cases related to Forensic Transportation Construction Engineering. A persuasive communicator skilled at negotiating successful outcomes to complex situations, his expertise at analysis, problem solving, and bringing parties together in the public and private sectors is an asset in his performance in forensic engineering and expert witness testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

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Michael A. Pollock, PE, USPTO, is a Mechanical Engineer responsible for the design and engineering of commercial, industrial, manufacturing, institutional, and residential venues, as well as efforts relating to services and products used in and around these facilities. Mr. Pollock's full CV can be viewed at cogentexpert.com.

Business and industries include electronics, safety and construction, building materials, polymers and plastics, instrumentation manufacturing, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, colleges, athletic facilities, textiles, coatings and resins, food storage, biosciences, supermarkets, inks & pigments, automotive, facility and real estate operations, agricultural, transportation, nuclear, healthcare, nutrition, retail, distributors, pulp and paper, packaging, utilities, apparel, and R&D centers.

Litigation Support - Mr. Pollock is a subject matter expert in Commercial and Industrial Engineering Applications and Projects, as well as engineering standards and applicable codes (ASHRAE, ASME, NIST, NFPA, NBIC, ASTM, SAE, LEED, ASCE, GMP, ISA, BOCA, and EPA Regulations.) He has engaged with local, state, and governmental officials and agencies regarding numerous matters over his commensurate years of experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Registrations

• Professional Engineer: PA (PE075410)
• American Bar Association (ABA) – Construction Forum
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Act Certification – Universal (includes Chillers, HVAC & Refrigeration)
• United States Patent & Trademark Office Registered (USPTO)                              

Forensic Consulting Experience

Warehouse Distribution Facility – Maryland - Evaluated a $10M (million) claim relating to purported construction defect claims by the 600,000 sq. ft. facility owner against the facility construction contractor and an original equipment manufacturer relating to installed infrastructure in the facility. Developed an expert opinion and expert report regarding the analysis of the purported defects and a proposed repair solution to correct said defects. 

 Psychiatric Hospital Facility – North Carolina – Evaluated a $28M (million) construction claim by the general contractor against a hospital facility concerning a $100M facility construction project.  Developed an expert opinion and report for general construction issues, constructability, design revisions, and corresponding delay analysis for mechanical, HVAC, electrical, smoke and fire, structural, security and building automation systems. 

Forensics Consulting Work-in-Progress 

• 2022 – International Trade Commission (ITC) Matter – Resin Manufacturing Facility Construction Delay / Completeness Analysis
• 2022 – Mechanical Systems Coatings Matter Analysis
• 2021 – Industrial Manufacturing Facility Standard of Care Matter, Construction Defect, Construction Delay     
• 2021 – Electrical Distribution System Construction Defect Matter, Standard of Care
• 2021 – Hotel Facility HVAC Materials of Construction Related Defect Matter

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.

Litigation Support - Mr. Loy provides Construction Claim and Dispute Analysis services, with special expertise in Concrete Design and Design-Build. Having been a teacher of many of the principles and processes used in the industry he knows how to explain the difficult technical aspects of the information and analysis in a way which makes the facts understandable and believable to opposing counsel, insurance companies, judges, and juries. Mr. Loy has experience and provides assistance with various dispute resolution approaches, such as Owner / Contractor dispute resolution boards, arbitration, mediation, and provides expert witness testimony if necessary.

See services offered at https://www.construction-strategies.com/what-we-do 

View Sanford Loy's Consulting Profile.

David M. Bekus has over 40 years in the Construction Industry specializing in new home construction, and remodeling. Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. 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. Litigation Support - As a seasoned expert in the construction field, Mr. Bekus provides comprehensive reports  and credible expert witness testimony. His services include project evaluations, building code inspections, and clear precisely written reports. Mr. Bekus' expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant and has testified in NJ superior court Areas of Expertise:

View David Bekus' Consulting Profile.

David Morris has over 30 years of deep understanding and hands on experience of Construction and Construction Processes that give him a unique perspective in the industry. Having worked in many roles, Mr. Morris has the ability to formulate conclusions based on practical experience. Staying abreast of new technologies, he is able to apply them to outdated construction processes.

Mr. Morris has welding certifications in nearly all processes (MIG, TIG, Stick) and most materials, (Carbon Steel, Various grades of Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Chrome,). He has extensive experience in Instrumentation, Controls, Building automation Systems, HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing Codes and Design, Drafting and Detailing, layout and quantity take-off, medical gas installation, Plumbing and Piping Detailing, Computer Aided Drafting, and BIM

Litigation Support - Mr. Morris serves as an expert witness for attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant. His services include onsite inspection, thorough reporting, depositions and trial testimony as needed. Cases include:

Select Background Experience:

• Prior to founding DMorris.consulting, Mr. Morris served as Director of Virtual Construction for EMCOR Construction Services from 2008-2016. In this role, he directed the virtual construction activities and operations of 82 EMCOR companies. His scope of work included drafting contract language for BIM and pre-construction, setting up new projects in lean and BIM delivery methods, and reviewing new construction technologies among other duties, Managing 3D and BIM processes
• From 2001-2008, Mr. Morris worked with University Mechanical and Engineering Contractors as Director of Virtual Construction. He was responsible for estimating Plumbing, HVAC Piping and Process Piping for numerous research laboratories and healthcare facilities valued at over 100mm + each. He also delivered conceptual estimates for numerous Biotech, Power, and Co-Generation plants.
• Select Project Participation: San Joaquin County Hospital, City of Gilroy Waste Water Reclamation Plant, Shafter Prison, Vandenberg Air Force Base HVAC Replacement, Space Shuttle Launch Complex Project, Tehachapi State Prison Level-4 High Security Prison Housing, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Co-Gen Facility, Kern Medical Center New Hospital Wing Expansion, Anheuser Busch Yeast Plant Expansion, and multiple Piping, Petrochemical, Hospital, and School projects.

*This Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Systems (MEP) Spatial Coordination Requirements for Construction Installation Models and Deliverables is a derivative work of a best practice guideline written by David Morris in 2003 and modified for the AGC BIMForum in 2009. It is the result of capturing ten years of practical methods on real world construction projects and reflects continual feedback and improvement gained from that process.

View Dmorris.consulting's Business Consulting Profile.

• Structures, Buildings, Houses, Dwellings
• Foundations, Footings, Elevators, Retaining Walls, Dams
• Development Plan & Plats for Sites, Properties, and Residences
• Underground & Subsurface Chamber / Chambers
• Scaffold, Scaffolds, Scaffolding
• Site Plans & Subdivisions: Industrial, Commercial, Residential
• Roads, Roadways, Ramps, Walks, & Man Hole Cover / Covers
• Sidewalks, Walkways, Paths & Pathways
• Lighting: Lamps, Lights, Lamp Poles, Light Levels
• Luminaries & Illumination (Specifications)
• Rock Cuts & Blasting (Topography, Specification)
• Soil Slopes / Samples / Mechanics / Geotechnical Engineers
• Sanitary Facilities, Septic Systems (Board of Health Septics Approval)
• BOHA / DEP Approvals
• Water, Drains, Drainage, Sewer & Sewage Lines & Mains
• Culvert / Culverts, Manholes (Man Holes) & Catchbasins / Catch Basins
• Inspection, Supervision, and Certification of Construction
• House Inspector & Inspections
• Road, Roadway, Walk & Sidewalk Premises Liability (e.g., Steep Slope)
• Walkway, Path, Ramp & Pathway Premise Liability (e.g., Steep Grade)
• Coefficient of Friction / Slip & Fall (Snowy & Icy Conditions)
• Vertical Discontinuity / Discontinuities / Trip & Falls
• Small Ports / Port, Marinas / Marina, Marine Dredging
• Levees, Jetties, Dolphins, Piers, Sea & Flood Walls
• Wharves, Breakwaters, Bulkheads, Weirs, & Revetments
• Groins, Dikes and Waterfront Structures
• Drainage Basin Analysis, Rainfall, Floods & Flood Plain / Plains
• Flooding Controls & Control Devices
• Storm Water Runoff (10, 25, 50 & 100 Year Storms)
• Pressure & Pressures: Wind, Wave / Waves, Ice, Snow
• Rain Fall Run Off & Storm Water Pollution Treatment
• Excavation, Grading, Fills & Filling Operations (Swales, Berms, Silt Fence)
• Erosion Control, Sediment Barriers, Sedimentation / Catch Basins (Hay Bales)
• Pumps and Pump System Line & Main
• Slope, Dam, Levee, Jetty, Dolphin, Pier, Wharf & Breakwater Collapse
• Bulkhead, Weir, Revetment, Groin, Dike, Footing & Foundation Failures
• Failure of Fire Containment Wall, Elevator or Water Front Structure
• Tenement House Façade Collapses
• Code History of Existing Multiple / Multi-Family Dwelling / Building
• Application of Municipal Building, Fire & Property Maintenance Codes
• City, Town & Village Zoning, Planning, Steep Slopes & Grades, Wetland & Wetlands Ordinances
• Testimony at Board Meetings as a Design Forensics Engineer

Kiwesa King, PE, CCM, DBIA, PMP, is a construction management consultant and expert witness engaged in the vertical construction market for nearly 30 years. She is a Licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Construction Manager and Trainer.

Ms. King has managed restoration, renovation, and ground-up construction projects as a designer, subcontractor, general contractor, and construction manager. She teaches graduate and continuing education courses in Construction Management at Fordham University and New York University.

Litigation Support - Ms. King provides expert opinions and case reviews in cases involving:

Degrees and Certifications:

• New York State Licensed Professional Engineer
• Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Licensed Site Safety Manager by the New York City Department of Buildings
• Certificate of Competence as a Master Fire Suppression Contractor 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
• Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute

View Expanded Resources LLC's Consulting Profile.

Timothy L. Unger's 40 year career has been focused on the Residential Sector of Real Estate ranging from the acquisition and development of large-scale multi-product master planned communities, home building and the acquisition of land portfolios.

Litigation Support - Mr. Unger provides analysis and testimony for land development, entitlement, and valuation of residential project cases. His services include thorough examination and reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Background Experience - For the last 15 years, Mr. Unger and his partner of several years formed their own development company. They focused on the acquisition and entitlement of both greenfield and infill sites. In addition, Mr. Unger has completed some Expert Witness assignments that are master planned community oriented.

Relevant Experience:

• Managing the acquisition of two large real estate portfolios, including the underwriting, entitlement, financial analysis and business plan. Each one comprised of over 10,000 acres and 100 distinct parcels.
• The acquisition and restructure of a large master planned communities in northern and southern California. The ongoing development activities were accomplished with a dedicated on-site team selected and managed by Mr. Unger.
• Through the management of the entities describe above, built and sold approximately 8,000 homes, including 1,500 by his own company.
• Developed two significant brownfield projects in northern California including oversight of ground water and soils remediation.
• Entitled several individual as well several master planned projects, including working with the resource agencies to obtain permits necessary to initiate development
• Experience with all forms of CEQA compliance.

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

Dennis E. Wilson has over forty years of experience in Land Planning, Civil Engineering, and Land Surveying. His company, Horizon Consulting Service, specializes in Entitlements, In-Fill Projects, Civil Engineering, and Land Planning and Design for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Mr. Wilson works on both private and governmental projects. As an Expert Witness, Mr. Wilson has participated in property line disputes, condemnation resolutions and land use issues. 

Professional Memberships:

• American Planning Association
• Past Chair of Land Use Committee, National Association of Home Builders
• Past Chair Land Use & Government Affairs, California Building Industry Association
• Past Chair of BIACC PAC
• Past Chair/Current Member on Land Use & Transportation Committee, Modesto Chamber of Commerce

Philip J. Isaak, PE, P.Eng., DCDC, RCDD, SMIEEE, is an expert witness, consultant & trainer in the design, construction, procurement, implementation, commissioning & operations of Information Technology, Telecommunications & Critical Data Center Facilities. 

Mr. Isaak provides clear analysis for complex disputes, incorporating industry standards, best-practices and over 20 years of consulting & training expertise working with clients located in 28 countries and territories across 6 continents. 

In recognition of Mr. Isaak’s professional standing, the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association for advancement of technology, certified him to the grade of Senior Member, a level only 9% of IEEE’s over 400,000 global members hold. Mr. Isaak is also an author of several industry standards published by TIA & ANSI/BICSI, whitepapers published by The Green Grid, and the Data Center Handbook published by John Wiley & Sons.

Expert Witness Services

Areas of Expertise:

View Philip Isaak's Consulting Profile.