Brian’s litigation practice centers on representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors in construction defect, personal injury, and business litigation cases. He also has significant experience in successfully defending product designers, manufacturers, and distributors in high exposure product liability matters.
Defense Counsel to the Construction Industry
Brian concentrates his construction practice on defending builders from claims of construction deficiencies, breach of contract, and other tort claims. He also has extensive experience in defending construction and project managers in professional negligence suits.
Experience Defending Product Liability Claims
Product liability claims are another area of focus in Brian’s litigation practice. He has successfully defended clients in industries ranging from amusement rides to aerospace.
An Involved and Recognized Attorney
Before joining Archer Norris, Brian was a partner in a firm of successful trial attorneys serving clients throughout Southern California. He has served as a Mandatory Settlement Conference referee for the Los Angeles County Superior Court and was named a Top Attorney by Pasadena Magazine in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Representative Clients
Brian has represented numerous private clients, including some of the largest and most respected construction firms in California. He also has significant experience as insurance defense counsel for major insurance carriers such as Chartis, Zurich, Arch, Interstate Fire & Casualty, and Navigators, as well as several third party administrators.
Representative Matters
Construction Defect Claims - Represented general contractor and construction manager clients in matters involving multi-million dollar construction defect claims at public works projects in Los Angeles County, and property developments in Riverside County, including prosecuting express indemnity, Crawford, and additional insured rights.
Surface Water Drainage - Significantly decreased exposure for a real estate developer client by successfully arguing motion for summary adjudication regarding strict liability and punitive damages in a matter involving mass property damage suffered by adjacent property owners during a flood.
Breach of Contract and Fraud - Obtained a judgment, with bankruptcy protections, for over $2 million (including both domestic and foreign attorney’s fees) for a foreign real estate developer in a breach of contract and fraud case related to project financing.
Manufacturer Dismissal - Obtained dismissal for a foreign amusement ride manufacturer in a product defect case through successful appellate writ of mandate regarding the court’s lack of personal jurisdiction.
Other Professional Experience
Before pursuing a legal career, Brian was a Senior Associate in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services division of PricewaterhouseCoopers.