Construction projects in Los Angeles bring together owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals, and when a project goes wrong the money and relationships at stake can be substantial. Contract disputes, defect claims, delay claims, and payment fights can stall a project and threaten a business. If you are facing a construction dispute, a construction litigation lawyer at Callahan & Blaine, PC can protect your interests. You can learn more about the firm’s broader commercial work on our construction litigation practice page.
Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented California businesses since 1984, and our practice is led by trial attorney Edward Susolik, recognized among the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California by Super Lawyers. With more than 32 attorneys and deep experience in complex commercial and insurance litigation, our team represents parties on every side of a construction dispute, from negotiation through trial.
Types of Construction Litigation Cases We Handle
Construction disputes take many forms, and each turns on the contracts, the record, and the conduct of the parties. Our Los Angeles construction litigation attorneys handle the full range of commercial construction matters.
Disagreements over scope of work, quality of materials and workmanship, change orders, and contractual timelines.
Claims that a building or structure departs from the specifications or has defects affecting its value, use, or structural integrity.
Disputes over who is responsible for a delay and who should bear the added cost, whether from site conditions, supply chains, or design changes.
Non-payment, late payment, and underpayment claims, including mechanics’ liens, stop payment notices, and payment bond claims.
Claims that an architect, engineer, or contractor fell below the professional standard of care and caused financial loss.
Disagreements over coverage for construction claims, including advocating for coverage owed under a policy or contesting an unfounded claim.
The California Legal Framework for Construction Disputes
Construction litigation in California is shaped by several statutory frameworks, and knowing which one applies often determines both strategy and deadlines. Mechanics’ lien and payment remedies for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers are governed by the California Civil Code, which sets strict notice and timing requirements that must be followed precisely to preserve a claim. Construction defect claims are subject to specific limitation periods under the Code of Civil Procedure, generally four years for a patent defect that is apparent on inspection under section 337.1 and up to ten years for a latent defect that is not discoverable until later under section 337.15. Many residential construction defect claims also fall under the Right to Repair Act, found at California Civil Code section 895 and following, which sets construction standards and a pre-litigation process that a homeowner and builder must observe before a lawsuit proceeds. Because these deadlines and procedures are unforgiving, early legal review matters.
Parties We Represent in Construction Litigation
Construction disputes usually involve several parties with competing interests, and we represent clients across the full range of roles on a project.
- Project owners and developers pursuing or defending defect, delay, and contract claims.
- General contractors managing disputes up and down the contracting chain.
- Subcontractors and suppliers enforcing payment rights through liens and bond claims.
- Design professionals such as architects and engineers facing or asserting professional negligence claims.
- Insurers and policyholders resolving coverage questions tied to a construction claim.
Dispute Resolution Options in Construction Litigation
Not every construction dispute belongs in a courtroom, and the right path depends on the contract, the amount at stake, and the relationships involved. Negotiation is often the first step and can resolve a dispute quickly and privately while preserving a working relationship. Mediation adds a neutral third party who guides the parties toward a voluntary resolution without imposing a decision. Arbitration is more formal and usually binding, and it allows the parties to select a decision-maker with construction experience, which many construction contracts require. Litigation becomes necessary when other methods fail or when a binding court judgment is the only way to resolve the matter, and our trial-ready preparation means we are prepared to see a case through to verdict when that is what a client’s position requires.
Meet Edward Susolik, Los Angeles Construction Litigation Attorney
Edward Susolik
Chief Executive Officer, President, and Senior Trial Attorney, Callahan & Blaine, PC
Edward Susolik leads the trial practice at Callahan & Blaine, PC and has spent his career handling complex commercial and insurance disputes for businesses across California. He has been recognized among the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California by Super Lawyers for many consecutive years, and his experience with high-stakes commercial litigation helps our Los Angeles construction clients protect their contracts, their projects, and their investments.
Working alongside a firm of more than 32 attorneys, Mr. Susolik and the Callahan & Blaine, PC team prepare each construction matter for trial from the start, which gives clients a stronger position in negotiation and a firm ready for arbitration or the courtroom when a dispute cannot be resolved by agreement.
How Callahan & Blaine, PC Approaches Your Construction Dispute
Construction claims carry strict deadlines under California law, and evidence such as project records and correspondence is easiest to secure early, so it helps to involve counsel as soon as a dispute appears. Our team explains how fees work during your first meeting so you can make an informed decision before you decide to move forward.
1Contract and Record Review. We examine the contracts, change orders, schedules, and correspondence to identify the strongest claims and defenses and the deadlines that apply.
2Building the Case. We assemble the documentary record and, where needed, work with construction and scheduling professionals to establish defect, delay, or payment claims.
3Negotiation, Mediation, or Arbitration. We pursue the resolution path that fits the contract and the client’s goals, working to resolve the dispute efficiently where possible.
4Trial. When a fair resolution is not available, our trial-ready preparation means we are prepared to present your case to a judge or jury.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Construction Litigation
What is the difference between a patent and a latent construction defect in California?
A patent defect is one that a reasonable inspection would reveal, and a claim generally must be brought within four years under California Code of Civil Procedure section 337.1. A latent defect is hidden and not discoverable until later, and a claim can generally be brought up to ten years after substantial completion under section 337.15. Which category a defect falls into affects both strategy and the filing deadline.
How long do I have to file a mechanics’ lien in California?
Mechanics’ lien deadlines are strict and depend on your role on the project and whether a notice of completion was recorded. The lien must generally be recorded within a set number of days after completion, and a lawsuit to enforce it must follow within a further limited period. Because missing a deadline can forfeit the claim, it is important to review the timing as soon as a payment problem arises.
What is the Right to Repair Act?
The Right to Repair Act, found at California Civil Code section 895 and following, sets construction standards for residential building and creates a pre-litigation process for many residential defect claims. In general, a homeowner must give the builder notice and an opportunity to inspect and repair before filing suit. The Act governs how many residential construction defect disputes proceed.
Should my construction dispute go to arbitration or court?
That often depends on your contract. Many construction contracts contain an arbitration clause that requires disputes to be arbitrated rather than litigated in court. Arbitration can be faster and allows a decision-maker with construction experience, while court litigation offers broader appeal rights and public procedures. We review the contract and the specifics of the dispute to advise on the best path.
Who can be held responsible in a construction defect case?
Depending on the defect, responsibility may fall on the general contractor, a subcontractor, the developer, a material supplier, or a design professional such as an architect or engineer. Construction defect cases frequently involve several parties, and identifying each responsible party is an important early step in protecting your interests.
Contact the Los Angeles Construction Litigation Attorneys at Callahan & Blaine, PC
Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented California businesses since 1984, and our practice is led by trial attorney Edward Susolik, recognized among the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California by Super Lawyers. With more than 32 attorneys and deep experience in complex commercial litigation, our Los Angeles team represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals in construction disputes of every size.
Construction claims carry strict deadlines and the project record is easiest to preserve early, so do not wait to protect your position. Hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter, and a member of our team will review your situation and explain the options available to you.
