Waterproofing Expert Witnesses

Clinton J. Ford, MS, ACA, CGC, CIAQM, CIE, CMR, CRMI, has over 30 years of Construction experience and has obtained both field experience and education in the following four distinct but often related disciplines of Construction, Environmental, Real Estate, and Insurance.

Mr. Ford served 25 years as a State Certified General Contractor working on projects ranging from $5,000 to $50,000,000 and has spent over 20 years providing construction consulting and expert witness services.

Mr. Ford holds many titles with decades of experience in the construction/environmental industries and was a former continuing Educations Sponsor for the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board.

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.

Litigation Support - Mr. Ford offers attorneys consulting and litigation support assistance in Building Construction and Environmental Claims that have resulted in property damage, personal injury, and/or wrongful death. He offers pre-litigation counseling, damage and loss estimating, forensic building construction investigation and analysis, pre-trial and trail consulting services and trial testimony. He individually tailors preparation for each case in order to provide the greatest benefit and impact in either a defensive of offensive posture.

Areas of Expertise:

Building Codes / Building Permits Building Construction Construction Accidents Construction Safety Construction Claims Building Contractor Termination Licensure Issues

Construction Cost Estimates / Analysis Water Leaks / Moisture Intrusion Contamination Environmental Damage Indoor Air Quality Mold & Fungal Causation Property Damage Assessment

View Clinton Ford's Consulting Profile.

Hon. Judge Steven Cohen, (Retired), JD, MBA, is a qualified Expert and Consultant with over 30 years experience in Construction Defects and Real Estate Standards of Care and Duty, Property Management, Property Inspection, Agents disclosure, Broker's disclosure, and Negligent and Intentional Conduct. 

Extensive experience in habitability, Civil Code 1941, Health and Safety Code §17920.3, transfer disclosure and all transactional requirements in the sale of property. Expert in construction arena in water penetration, roof defects, home inspection, structural defects, framing defects, electrical & mechanical problems, stucco, foundation and structural slabs, construction schedules and all mold related problems. 

Litigation consulting includes Case Risk Analysis and Assessment (is a case ripe for litigation?), Research and Litigation Support, Homeowner Associations HOA, Building Codes, Department of Real Estate Rules, Codes and Laws, Contractor's State Licensing Board Rules and Regulations, Uniform Building Code (UBC) compliance, Building and Safety. Expert in Mechanical, Electrical, Water Entry, Toxic Mold, Mildew and Sick Building Syndrome. American Arbitration Association (AAA) Arbitrator. Arbitrator and Mediator for State and Federal Cases. 

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner. Graduate Level Certificate in Dispute Resolution (Mediation, Arbitration and Negotiation) from Pepperdine University School of Law. Licensed to practice law in California and Federal Court-Central District. Retired Administrative Law Judge, Inglewood Office of Appeals. Education/Licenses: Administrative Law Judge (Ret.), Attorney, M.B.A., Certified Property Mold Specialist (C.M.I. & C.M.R. Designation), RE Broker (Realtor), General Contractor (B1), Electrical Contractor (C10), Certified Mediator, AAA Arbitrator and Mediator, FINRA Arbitrator, Western Case District. Primary 

Area of Expertise: Real Estate, Construction Defects, Case Risk Assessment.

Sanford C. Loy , CCM, B.Arch, MSCE, has 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 for 2 years and as Director of Construction and Development for Belz Enterprises, the largest development company in Tennessee, for two years before founding Construction Strategies and Solutions 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.

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.

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

Paul Gentosi, CFLC, FEWA has over 45 years of very diverse and extensive General Contracting experience from journeyman tradesman to upper-level management throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. He has general contracting experience in varied disciplines including commercial, industrial and multi-family construction. Litigation Support - Mr. Gentosi and his team at Gentosi Construction Consulting & Litigation Support have been providing Construction Management expert witness services for over 10 years. They have been involved in three trials in Superior Court, five depositions, five mediations, and two arbitrations, and many cases that settled due to their expertise. With four decades of experience, they are in a strong position to provide services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction Defect Contract Disputes Claims Building Code Interpretation

Standard of Care / Industry Standards Cost of Repair Water Intrusion Implementation of Repairs

View Gentosi Construction's Consulting Profile.

Stephen George has over 40 years of Landscape Design and Construction Defect experience. Mr. George has owned and operated Landscapes West since 1980, and is still providing design / build and maintenance services to his clients. His projects have included commercial, apartments, condominiums, and residential landscapes. Mr. George is a member of the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA), the Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA), the Irrigation Association (IA), the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI), and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. Litigation Support - Stephen George is an Industry Expert for C-27 Landscape Construction. He provides litigation and consulting services to attorneys representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. His expertise has been called upon throughout the state of California. Mr. George's services include inspection and cost of repair and replacement, review of project drawings, photography / forensic imaging and construction documentation, aboriculture analysis, and landscape construction defects and failures. Areas of Expertise:

Landscape & Arboriculture Industry Standards Construction Defect and Failures Personal Injury Drainage and Irrigation Damage Fire Loss Evaluation

Maintenance Practices Residential Fire / Wildfire Paving Hardscape Fireplaces, Fire Pits, BBQ's Hardscape - Walls

View Stephen George'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.

Ian C. Mellor, PE, SE, is a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry.

Mr. Mellor has extensive experience in the evaluation and design of wood, steel, masonry, concrete, light gage steel, and fiber reinforced polymer structures. His background includes the seismic and structural evaluations of earthquake-damaged school buildings, modernization, and upgrade project of San Diego Unified School District and Department of Defense facilities, the evaluation and seismic rehabilitation design of historic theatres, and the seismic retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings. Mr. Mellor was a member of the Haiti post disaster relief effort team that performed damage assessments for more than 200,000 units in and around the Port-au-Prince area.

Litigation Support - Mr. Mellor is skilled in Forensic Engineering for Construction Defect litigation claims, insurance claims cause and origin evaluations, and seismic evaluation and rehabilitation of existing buildings. He is available nationally and globally to evaluate damage to structures from natural disasters and from man-made causes and in providing repair drawings. Mr. Mellor's services include deposition and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Natural Disaster Earthquakes Hurricanes Flood Damage Evaluation Flood Repair Estimates Structural Damages Evaluation

Structural Repair Estimates Moisture Intrusion Fire Damage Evaluation Fire Repair Estimates Structural Collapse Foundations / Soils

Professional Licenses:

• California Structural Engineer
• California Professional Civil Engineer
• Nevada Civil and Structural Engineer
• Arizona Professional Civil Engineer
• Hawaii Structural Engineer
• Washington Civil and Structural Engineer
• Oregon Civil and Structural Engineer
• Virginia Professional Engineer
• Louisiana Professional Engineer
• New York Professional Engineer
• Model Law Structural Engineer Designation - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (NCEES) Licensed in Utah, Colorado, and Texas

Deposition Experience:

• AAA v A-1 Budget Roofing – December, 2014 – 2 hours
• Solorio v Bisi – January 2017 – 5 hours

View Ian Mellor'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

View Consulting Profile.

John D. Shepherd, RRC, RRO, founder of Shepherd Consulting Services, a division of Shepherd Roof Consulting, has been actively involved in the Roofing and Construction Industry for over 40 years. He has spent 10 years as an active roofing contractor and the last 18 years as a Roofing, Waterproofing, Sheet Metal, and Exterior Wall Consultant.

Over the last 18 years, Mr. Shepherd attended about 1100 hours of continuing education courses related to roofing, waterproofing, sheet metal, exterior walls, windows and other various building envelope components. He is an RCI Registered Roof Consultant and Registered Roof Observer, a HAAG Certified Residential and Commercial Roof Inspector, a licensed roofing contractor in California and Arizona, and a Certified Building Science Thermographer.

Mr. Shepherd has been retained in over 400 construction defect litigation cases, representing plaintiffs, developers and/or sub-contractors. He has been deposed more than 60 times, testified in over 20 trials and has extensive mediation experience as well.

Areas of Expertise:

• Construction Defect
• Water Intrusion Investigation
• Property Loss Damage Claims
• Personal Injury Claims
• Standard of Care and Building Code Issues Related to Roofing, Sheet Metal, Waterproofing, and Building Envelope

View Consulting Profile.

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