Building Envelope Expert Witnesses

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 Neagley, AIA, Architect: Over thirty-two years of architectural design and construction administration experience with all building types, including educational, medical, R&D, corporate, commercial, custom residential, multi-family housing, military and industrial projects, totaling over 12.4 million square feet. Emphasizing use of durable, low maintenance materials including stainless, copper, bronze, zinc, cement-fiber, plastics, composites, specialty sealants & industrial paints.

Building Reconstruction Specialist: Reconstruction design, details and specifications focused on solving complex construction problems and developing effective repairs for commercial and institutional buildings. Services include design for waterproofing, flashing, exterior finishes, roofs, decks, windows, and remediation of mold, wood rot, corrosion and structural damage.

Construction Industry Expert: Visual inspection, intrusive testing, defect analysis, repair recommendations and forensic expert services for both plaintiff and defense parties. Specialized knowledge of construction materials, industry standards, code compliance, waterproofing, vapor transmission, exterior finishes, corrosion, condensation, ventilation, mold, wood rot, suspended ceilings, interior partitions, and structural issues.

James Rappoport, AIA, NCARB is Principal and Architect of Record at Daroff Design Inc. + DDI Architects PC, a full service Planning, Architectural & Interior Design practice founded in 1973 and specializing in ground-up, renovation and historic adaptive reuse projects for office facilities, hotels, resorts, restaurants, meeting, conference and training facilities, aviation terminals and entertainment projects throughout the USA and Internationally.

Mr. Rappoport has successfully provided technical consultation, expert witness opinions, affidavits, certificates of merit, depositions, mediation presentations, testimony and trial support in more than 190 legal cases, engaged by both defendants' and plaintiffs' legal teams.

Areas of Expertise:

Architecture Architectural Codes / Design & Standards Architectural Design Architectural Practice ADA - Accessibility Compliance ADA - Accessibility Design Building Codes & Ordinances Construction & Architecture Construction Claims Construction Disputes Facility Programming Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Specifications Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Failures

Hotel & Resort Design & Planning Interior Design & Planning Office Building Design & Planning Owner – Architect Agreements Owner – Contractor Agreements Professional Liability (Architecture & Design) Project Planning Slip – Fall Accident (Causes) Site Assessment & Development Site Planning & Design Standard of Care (Architecture & Design) Urban Design Urban Development & Planning

View James Rappoport's Consulting Profile.

John (Jack) P. Diehl, AIA NCARB LEED AP, has over 40 years of experience as an Architect. Mr. Diehl currently specializes in Forensic Architecture and Construction Defects. He is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Mr. Diehl is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and the International Code Council (ICC). He is also a LEED AP Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Construction Document Technician, and General Contractor California, "B" License.

As President of The Diehl Group Architects, Inc., Mr. Diehl is:

• Responsible for field investigations, failure analysis, building code research, and development of repair solutions
• Performs technical investigations and research of suspected design and construction problems
• Verifies and compares as-built conditions, design parameters, building jurisdiction requirements and applicable industry standards of care
• Provides construction administration and quality control review for Type I and Type V building types
• Provides quality assurance, evaluation, and supervision of in-progress construction for major commercial and high rise structures for conformance to design, material, and workmanship standards

Litigation Support: Jack Diehl has provided trial preparation services and expert witness testimony in over two hundred (200) cases, residential or commercial, in support of construction defect litigation. He offers his expertise to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. His services include arbitration and mediation.

Areas of Expertise:

Forensic Architect Architectural Professional Liability Building Envelope Water Intrusion and Damage ADA Consulting Slip and Fall Building Code

Construction Defects Waterproofing Roofs Fenestration Construction Administration EIFS Consulting Construction Standards

View Jack Diehl's Consulting Profile.

David M. Bekus has over 35 years in the Construction Industry specializing in home design, 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 adheres to building code practices and high construction standards to provide reliable advice and credible expert witness testimony. His services include project evaluations, building code inspections, and clearly and 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:

Industry Standards Building Code Compliance, Specifications Contract and Plan Specifications New Construction Defects Roof Issues Water Issues

Framing Defects Siding Defects Concrete Defects Insurance Claims Poor Workmanship Home Owner Association Issues

View David Bekus' Consulting Profile.

Drebelbis Engineering is an Architectural and Engineering firm specializing in Forensic Engineering. Their combined background in architecture, engineering, and business make Drebelbis Engineering uniquely qualified to address the complexities found in forensic engineering assignments.

A Dallas-based company founded in 1996, their focus is structural, architectural and civil engineering as applied to buildings and site systems. They bring technical engineering knowledge, testimony, and remedy when construction fails to perform and when construction processes derail.

Principal, James R. Drebelbis, AIA, PE, is an Architect and Structural Engineer with over 40 years of experience in all phases of building construction and performance, project management, and producing documents for building construction (drawings, specifications, change orders).

Litigation Support - Mr. Drebelbis specializes in Forensic Engineering for attorneys and insurance companies. His understanding of building types and construction systems includes site construction and earth retaining structures as well as residential, commercial, manufacturing, and institutional buildings.

Mr. Drebelbis is retained for Cause and Origin of Structural Failures and disputes about construction performance that often emphasize the obvious (leaks, cracks, collapses). His expertise is available to attorneys representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. Services include engineering investigation, documentation, testimony, and preparation of Certificates of Merit.

Education/Licenses: - BS Arch. Engineering, MBA, Professional Engineer (Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico), Architect (Texas)

Areas of Technical Experience and Expertise:

Construction Technology Building Codes Forensic Engineering Fire, Weather, Disaster Related Damage Roofing & Waterproofing Systems Water and Moisture Intrusion Stair Construction Performance of Building Materials Retaining Structures Application of Building Materials

Selection of Building Materials Structural Engineering Site and Building Drainage Foundation Design Soil Behavior Concrete Workmanship and Design Contract Documents Professional Ethics Slip, Trip, Fall Corrective Construction

Brandon W. Erickson, PE, SE, principal of Erickson Structural Consulting Engineers, PC, has over 22 years of experience in Structural Engineering. Mr. Erickson received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University and his M.S. in Structural Engineering from Stanford University. Mr. Erickson is licensed in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Idaho, Utah, Alaska, Montana, Arizona and Nevada. Mr. Erickson's main office is located in the Portland, Oregon metro area. Mr. Erickson also maintains a satellite office in Kihei, Hawaii, from which he provides services throughout the state of Hawaii. Litigation Support - Mr. Erickson provides litigation support services relevant to the structural design, construction, performance, failure, and remediation of buildings and similar structures. He is familiar with a variety of structural construction materials, including steel, concrete, wood, and masonry. His practice includes building structures and their foundations, remediation repair designs, construction means and methods, and seismic evaluations and upgrades. Retained as an expert for both Plaintiff and Defense, Mr. Erickson's services include comprehensive expert investigations, research, and forensic testing and analysis. His findings are summarized in well-documented, clear, and defendable reports. Mr. Erickson assists with mediation or arbitration, and provides expert testimony at deposition, mediation, or in court. Forensic Investigation Services:

• Perform Proximate Cause Investigations
• Assess Construction Defects
• Assess Design Errors
• Assess Materials Defects
• Develop Testing and Monitoring Systems
• Review Design and Construction Documents
• Determine Extent of Damage
• Prepare Schematic Remediation Designs Suitable for Scoping and Pricing
• Prepare Final Remediation Designs Suitable for Permitting, Bidding, and Construction
• Provide Assistance During the Remediation Phase

View Brandon Erickson's Consulting Profile.

Daniel D. Bawden, GMB, CAPS, CGR, CGP, JD, has over 35 years of experience in the Construction Industry. He is a Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and a Certified Green Building Professional.

Mr. Bawden serves as an accredited Instructor for the National Association of Home Builders, certifying other builders in his own specialties. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree and Law degree from Baylor University. He is currently serving as Vice Chair of the NAHB Remodelers Council, on track to be the national spokesman for the remodeling industry in 2017.

Litigation Support - Mr. Bawden has an outstanding reputation for winning cases. His combination of legal and hands-on construction experience, along with his numerous certifications, make him a highly credible witness in all facets of residential construction.

Mr. Bawden helped write the "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines," which is the primary criteria for construction standards. With trial experience on behalf of both homeowners and builders, Mr. Bawden is a likeable persona, an excellent and clear communicator, effective before arbitrators, judges, and juries alike.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction Cost Estimates / Analysis Construction Defects Project Management Disputes

Construction for the Disabled (ADA) Construction Delays Code Compliance / Violation

View Dan Bawden's Consulting Profile.

Mark E. Rieser, II, MS, PE, AIA, GBC, GEC has over 30 years of experience in the Engineering, Architectural, Construction, and Building Design industry. He provides his clients with a comprehensive knowledge of Engineering, Construction Technology and Construction Standards of Professional Practice.

Background Experience - President of an “active” Design and Building company with a professional staff and Headquarter offices in San Jose and Los Angeles, and offices in Sacramento and San Francisco. Mr. Rieser has managed, designed, and constructed over 4,000 units to include high-rise, single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, podiums, apartments, and commercial buildings, His experience includes building and roadway design, construction, management, with designs of over 500 miles of asphalt and roadway improvements, tunnels, San Francisco Airport, Santa Clara Light Rail, Southern Pacific Railroad, Caltrans, and BART.

Mr. Rieser has an insightful understanding of Civil / Structural Engineering, Soil Engineering, Transportation, Traffic Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Safety Expert, OSHA Standards, Architectural Design, Asphalt Design, Cost Estimation, Public Works Design Bidding and Estimation, General Engineering, General Building, and an Accident Reconstruction expert.

“Our bids are not just a tool but are numbers that we be use to finish the work, accurately, on-time, and safely.”

Forensic Construction and Engineering - Mark Rieser is a renowned forensic expert with the knowledge to safeguard clients from unwanted litigation as well as support both plaintiffs and defendants. He works closely with insurance companies and attorneys on various public, city, and state cases throughout the western United States. To date, he has been designated as an expert in over 550 Forensic Construction and Engineering cases throughout the United States.

Mr. Rieser has been designated and testified Court as an expert in the following categorizes:

Traffic Engineer Transportation Engineer Architect Safety Expert General Building Contractor Civil Engineer General Engineering Contractor Roofing

Estimator Soils Caltrans Standards Structural analysis Hydraulics OSHA Standards Construction Management Waterproofing

NorCal Headquarters San Jose Office 2033 Gateway Pl Suite 500 San Jose, CA 95110	San Francisco Office 425 Market St Suite 2200 San Francisco, CA 94105	SoCal Headquarters Los Angeles Office 10100 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90067	Sacramento Office 777 Campus Commons Rd Suite 200 Sacramento, CA 95825

View Mark Rieser's Consulting Profile.

Mark C. Vanderslice has been actively involved in almost all aspects of the Roofing and Waterproofing industries since 1978. Mr. Vanderslice is an active member of RCI, Inc., formerly The Roof Consultants Institute, an international association of building envelope consultants who specialize in design, investigation, repair and management of roofing, exterior walls and waterproofing systems. In 1984 Mr. Vanderslice was the 16th to receive certification of 426 nationally recognized Registered Roof Consultants in the United States from a professional membership of approximately 2,800.

Mr. Vanderslice's expertise includes performing architectural design reviews for roofing, waterproofing and building envelope exteriors for the purpose of verifying constructibility, conformance to material manufacturer's requirements, industry standards and Building Code requirements. He also performs complex leak investigations in order to determine the Cause and Origin of Leaks as well as developes comprehensive and effective scopes of long-term repairs. His services are available for cases involving water intrusion from various sources including roofing, waterproofing, sheet metal flashings, wall systems inclusive of stucco, stone cladding, masonry, cavity walls, DEFS, EIFS, Rain Screen and metal panels as well as waterproofing systems and virtually all types of water intrusion and related construction defects.

Mr. Vanderslice has been designated as an Expert Witness in more than 550 cases and has been retained by Plaintiff, Defense, and as a Neutral Third Party. Mr. Vanderslice has provided expert witness testimony in over a dozen trials and been deposed well over 150 times.

Areas of Expertise:

Architectural Codes / Design & Standards Ashaltic Shingle Roofs Built-up (BUR) Roofs Construction Defects Construction Design Construction Leakage Diagnostics Copper Roofs Deck Waterproofing

EIFS Window & Door Water Intrusion Forensic Inspection & Evaluation Roofing Stucco Water Leaks / Moisture Intrusion Below-Grade Waterproofing Exterior Wall Systems

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Gerald M. Halweg, CTC, CSI, TTA, President/CEO of the TILE INSTITUTE of AMERICA, has earned the recognition of being an internationally acclaimed Master Expert Witness and Consultant. He has over 45 years of experience specializing in Ceramic and Natural Stone Tile.

Background - Tutored by tile masters for decades, Mr. Halweg received his Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) degree in 1978. After receiving his degree, he taught and administered the Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) program (180-hour course) until 1992. Mr. Halweg worked in testing laboratories, tested materials for the construction trades, and developed test procedures. He administered the Official Quality Control & Testing Agency for the Tile Trade authorized by International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO).

Litigation Support - Mr. Halweg provides expert witness services for cases involving Construction Defects and Tile Installations. His job site inspections, consultations, and research for the tile and legal industries number in excess of 200 projects per year. Mr. Halweg's services are available to both plaintiff and defendant and include site review, written reports, depositions, arbitration, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise

Tile Installation Failures Tile Product Investigation Tile Penalization Veneer Tile Systems Marble Slabs Sound-Rated Tile Flooring Systems Tile Industry Codes Natural Stone and Allied Materials Lathe and Plaster Flooring Surfaces (Terrazzo, Pavers, etc.)

Decking and Roof Tiles Pools and Showers Mold & Mildew Testing Construction Safety Standards Slips, Trips, Falls Stairs & Ramps Coefficient of Friction Testing Leak Detection Waterproofing Concrete Slabs, Sub-Floors

Hamid K. Toossi, BSCE, MBA, EIT, M ASCE, TAI's founder and CEO, has over 35 years of academic and hands-on experience in the design, build, and management of heavy Civil and Commercial Construction projects.

Mr. Toossi's experience includes Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling, Engineering, Construction Management, Contract Administration, Cost Estimating, Value Engineering, Claims Analysis, and Expert Services for Construction Claims and Contract Disputes, in the United States as well as overseas.

Mr. Toossi has participated in numerous Continuing Professional Education courses, both as an instructor, and as an auditor, in Contract Law, Construction Law, Business Law, Leadership, Management, Engineering, Construction Management, and Construction Claims. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the founding member of the American Society of MBA Executives.

Litigation Support: Hamid K. Toossi offers expert witness services to law firms representing both plaintiff and defendant. His services include written reports, depositions, arbitration, mediation, and trial testimony as needed. He has been involved in numerous Construction Claim cases including:

• Testimony before the American Arbitration Association in connection with a GC bond claim against a surety insurance company and counter claim by insurance company for fraudulent inducement and wrongful termination etc.
• Testimony before the circuit court, in Fairfax, VA, in areas of concrete construction materials and methods in connection with a water reclamation facility construction project in Ashburn, VA.
• Prepared testimony as part of litigation before the United States Court of Federal Claims in areas of Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling, delay, disruption and loss of productivity, in connection with design and construction of two submarine decompression chambers for US Naval Facilities Engineering Command

Areas of Expertise:

Concrete and Concrete Construction Critical Path Method (CPM) Construction Acceleration Claims Construction Defects CPM Scheduling Scheduling Delay & Analysis

Construction Claims Construction Delays Forensic Evaluation Construction Disputes Concrete/ Foundations Proof of Damages Calculation

View TAI's Consulting Profile.

Jeffrey Phillip Weinstein, AIA, a California licensed Architect since 1982, with Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from USC, has been involved in the development, design and construction of office buildings, high-rise condominiums, multi-family residential podium-type projects, retail, neighborhood shopping centers and regional malls, hotels and resorts, hospitals, and schools (K-12 and University).

Expert in real estate development, government approvals, entitlements & permits, architect's standard of care, construction management, claims & defects, A/E/C agreements. Expertise includes building envelope & water intrusion, zoning & building codes, errors/omissions, destructive testing & repair, schools (DSA), hospitals (OSHPD), condominiums, commercial/retail/mixed-use projects, high-rise structures, hotels & resorts. Previous employers include Nadel and Callison Architects, Tishman Construction, Trammel Crow Company, Kaiser Permanente, and California State University.

Professional Licenses / Certifications / Affiliations:

• California Registered Architect, License #12822
• Member, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Construction Specification Institute, and Society for Marketing Professional Services
• Member, North Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review

Litigation Support: Jeffrey Weinstein has been retained as an expert witness as Owner's Representative, Construction Manager, Contract Administrator, Project Manager and Architect by Developers, Builders, Institutional Owners (Hospitals & Schools), Municipalities, and Corporate Clients. Mr. Weinstein provides professional Architectural and Construction Expert Witness opinion, testimony and services on matters, such as:

Architectural Forensic Architectural Construction Management Building Code Requirements Construction Industry Standards Professional Standard of Care Design Defects, Errors & Omissions

Construction Defects & Failures Architectural Practice & Peer Review Construction Claim Evaluation Change Order Analysis & Cost Overruns Zoning Entitlements, Land-Use, and Permitting Project Delivery - Fast-Track, Design-Build, GMP Design & Construction Accident Claims

View Jeffrey P. Weinstein's Consulting Profile.