ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

Chris Konzelmann Appointed to NASP Board of Directors

November 03, 2025 — White and Williams LLP
White and Williams LLP congratulates Chris Konzelmann, Partner and Chairman of the Subrogation Department, on his appointment to the National Association of Subrogation Professionals’ (NASP) Board of Directors. In an announcement posted to LinkedIn, NASP stated, “These new board members bring diverse experience, leadership, and a shared vision for NASP’s future. Together, they will continue advancing NASP’s mission to provide education, advocacy, and community for subrogation professionals across all industries.” Chris is a long-standing member of NASP and a frequent presenter at its Annual and Spring Conferences. He also regularly delivers webinars and training sessions for subrogation clients, helping them stay informed on legal developments and best practices in recovery strategy. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of White and Williams LLP

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Court Resolves Disagreement on the Amount of the Deductible

December 02, 2025 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
After a windstorm caused damage to the insured’s building and repair materials, the court sided with the insured in determining the amount of the deductible. Semaho, Inc. v. AMCO Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 193521 (D. Colo. Sept. 30, 2025). Semaho owned two commercial buildings insured under a policy issued by AMCO. The buildings were damaged in a windstorm and Semaho’s contractor stored the building materials for the repairs on one building’s roof. A second windstorm then seriously damaged the building materials stored on the roof. Semaho submitted a claim for the lost building materials. Coverage was undisputed but the parties disagreed over which deductible should apply to Semaho’s claim. The key policy provision stated that the deductible should be calculated separately for the “building” and for certain categories of “personal property,” based on “the value(s) of the property that has sustained loss or damage.” Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

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Top 10 Insurance Cases of 2025

January 26, 2026 — Jeffrey J. Vita, Michelle A. Grieco, Kiley Stackpole - Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C.
The insurance landscape continues to evolve, shaped by litigation that tests the limits of policy language, coverage obligations, and public policy considerations. In 2025, courts across the country issued several significant rulings that will influence how insurers and policyholders navigate claims and risks. Notable trends in 2025 include disputes over property coverage for wildfire and smoke damage, the treatment of interrelated claims under successive D&O policies, enforcement of arbitration clauses in international insurance contracts, and general liability coverage issues—such as construction exclusions for phased projects and limits on coverage for losses tied to the opioid crisis. This publication spotlights the top insurance cases of 2025, highlighting their legal reasoning, practical implications, and impact for policyholders—plus a look ahead at key cases to watch in 2026. Reprinted courtesy of Jeffrey J. Vita, Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C., Michelle A. Grieco, Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. and Kiley Stackpole, Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. Mr. Vita may be contacted at JVita@sdvlaw.com Ms. Grieco may be contacted at MGrieco@sdvlaw.com Ms. Stackpole may be contacted at KStackpole@sdvlaw.com Read the full story...

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Midwest Team Secures Resolution of Matter for Homeowners’ Association Client, Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees

February 10, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
Kansas City/Wichita Partner Alan L. Rupe and Kansas City Associate Delaney McCoy recently achieved a victory on behalf of their client, a homeowners’ association that was sued after denying a solar panel application. The plaintiff homeowners challenged the association’s decision in court, and after extensive—and costly—litigation, the court ultimately determined that the dispute was not yet ripe for judicial review. With that threshold issue resolved, the parties were able to work collaboratively to address the solar panel matter itself. But one significant question remained: whether the association was entitled to recover its legal fees under the declaration, despite the American Rule, which generally requires each party to bear its own costs. The client felt understandably taken advantage of because this issue could—and should—have been resolved without litigation. Considerable time and resources were diverted from the community for the advantage of a single household, so the Lewis Brisbois team continued to advocate for the association’s contractual right to recover fees. After oral argument, the Court agreed, enforcing the fee‑shifting provisions in the governing documents and ruling in favor of the homeowners’ association. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

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What if the Supreme Court Overrules the Reciprocal Tariffs? Plan Now for Refunds, Protests, and Contract Reconciliation

December 15, 2025 — Brett W. Johnson, T. Troy Galan, Cole Craghan & Thomas Williams - Snell & Wilmer
As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the legality of President Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs,” companies that sell goods internationally face a pivotal inflection point. If the tariffs are struck down, the decision will not simply unwind a trade policy — it may trigger a complex refund process involving billions of dollars in tariffs. This will lead to disputes over who receives repayment, and potential friction between suppliers and customers whose contracts passed tariff costs downstream. Such disputes appear to be on the horizon, as the U.S. Supreme Court considered oral arguments on the reciprocal tariffs on November 5, 2025, and several Justices signaled their skepticism about whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) permits the president to impose tariffs unilaterally. While the outcome remains uncertain, businesses that act now to preserve refund rights and clarify contractual obligations may be best positioned to receive refunds and avoid costly disputes if the tariffs are ordered to be repaid. Reprinted courtesy of Brett W. Johnson, Snell & Wilmer, T. Troy Galan, Snell & Wilmer, Cole Craghan, Snell & Wilmer and Thomas Williams, Snell & Wilmer Mr. Johnson may be contacted at bwjohnson@swlaw.com Mr. Galan may be contacted at tgalan@swlaw.com Mr. Craghan may be contacted at ccraghan@swlaw.com Mr. Williams may be contacted at twilliams@swlaw.com Read the full story...

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Massachusetts Nuclear Verdict Leads To $90M Bad Faith Award

February 10, 2026 — Eric B. Hermanson & Timothy J. Langan - White and Williams
Insurers in Massachusetts have long struggled with the demands of MGL ch. G.L.c 176D, § 3(9)(f), which requires “prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear.” Last month a Superior Court ruling illustrated the potentially draconian consequences of a violation: finding an insurer liable for more than $90 million in bad faith damages, in a case that might have settled under $3 million with proper handling. The claimant, John Rooney, was a mason who fell off a scaffold at a construction site. He sued the general contractor. The general contractor, in turn, sought coverage as an additional insured under a series of Liberty Mutual policies issued to Rooney’s employer – the masonry company – with combined aggregate limits of $19.5 million. Reprinted courtesy of Eric B. Hermanson, White and Williams and Timothy J. Langan, White and Williams Mr. Hermanson may be contacted at hermansone@whiteandwilliams.com Mr. Langan may be contacted at langant@whiteandwilliams.com Read the full story...

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Snell & Wilmer Partner Jonathan Frank Named Winner of 2025 Connect CRE’s Lawyers in Real Estate Award

January 13, 2026 — Snell & Wilmer
ORANGE COUNTY — Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Orange County Partner Jonathan Frank has received the 2025 Connect CRE’s Lawyers in Real Estate Award, a distinction honoring attorneys who demonstrate excellence in commercial real estate law while making meaningful contributions to the industry and their communities. The award recognizes legal leaders whose expertise, vision, and dedication set them apart, reflecting a career marked by both professional achievement and civic impact. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Snell & Wilmer

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Texas Court Revives Construction Defect Claims: Key Lessons for Managing Latent Defect Risk

January 21, 2026 — Spencer E. Dunn & Melissa Osio Martinez - Wood Smith Henning Berman
Construction projects often involve intricate designs, multiple stakeholders, and complex performance obligations. When problems surface years after completion, parties must navigate a difficult landscape that blends contract law, tort doctrines, and statutory deadlines. A recent decision from the Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas provides meaningful guidance on how courts will evaluate latent construction defect claims, the applicability of the discovery rule, and the limits of the economic loss doctrine. In Morningside Ministries v. Koontz McCombs Construction, Ltd., the court reversed summary judgment entered in favor of the general contractor and project manager, reviving the owner's claims and offering important lessons for owners, contractors, and insurers facing construction defect disputes. Background of the Dispute Morningside Ministries operates senior living communities across Texas. In 2012, It contracted with Koontz McCombs Construction, Ltd. (Koontz) to construct The Overlook, a significant expansion of Morningside's Menger Springs campus in Boerne. The contract required Koontz to build 100 new senior living units along with common areas and site improvements, and placed responsibility for construction quality, including the work of subcontractors, on Koontz. Reprinted courtesy of Spencer E. Dunn, Wood Smith Henning Berman and Melissa Osio Martinez, Wood Smith Henning Berman Mr. Dunn may be contacted at sdunn@wshblaw.com Ms. Martinez may be contacted at mosiomartinez@wshblaw.com Read the full story...

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