Focus Areas
Litigation
- Defended a general contractor in a termination-for-default case involving a $30+ million cross-complaint by the owner and multi-million-dollar claims for payment by subcontractors on a skilled nursing facility in Covina, California. Negotiated a revocation of the termination and secured favorable terms from the owner a few months before trial.
- Represented a general contractor in settling delay and unpaid change order claims on a mixed-use project at Hollywood Park near SoFi stadium, resulting in an eight-figure settlement for the general contractor and its subcontractors just after filing the lawsuit.
- Engaged by a large national general contractor to pursue delay and unapproved change order claims on an EPA lab upgrade project administered by the GSA in Colorado. Negotiated a release of the contract balance and payment of additional change orders during discovery.
- Represented a joint-venture contractor engaged in debris and tree cleanup from the 2019 Camp Fire, securing a seven-figure settlement on the eve of trial.
- Prosecuted claims against the State of California on behalf of a joint venture contractor on the Northern Branch contract for the 2020 California fire cleanup. Developed and implemented early claim presentations, leading to an eight-figure settlement before discovery.
- Represented a civil contractor in a claim against CalRecycle for the Southern Branch of the 2020 California fires, securing a seven-figure settlement in the early stages of discovery.
- Defended a large national general contractor against eight-figure additional cost claims by a subcontractor at the CARB testing facility in Riverside, California. Guided the client through related AAA and state court actions regarding the subcontractor’s lack of a contractor’s license. The state court granted the client’s MSJ, ruling that the subcontractor required a license and did not qualify for the equipment supplier exemption.
- Represented a drywall and interior finishes contractor in California state court in delay, disruption, and inefficiency claims related to the construction of San Francisco General Hospital, reaching a multi-million-dollar settlement on the eve of trial.
- Represented an electrical subcontractor on a SR-91 freeway project in AAA arbitration for delay and unpaid work claims, securing a multi-million-dollar settlement after a favorable ruling on a motion.
- Represented a subcontractor seeking recovery for contract balance and extra work on a sewer upgrade project for a federal prison in Long Beach, California. Recovered the full seven-figure claim amount plus attorney’s fees after a jury trial.
Transactional
- Developed, negotiated, and managed construction contracts for a top 10 U.S. mall owner.
- Reviewed AIA construction documents for numerous multi-million-dollar private projects and client tenant improvements.
- Led a large in-house and contractor due diligence team for a $5+ billion spinoff of all California oil and gas interests into a new publicly traded corporation.
Education
- UCLA School of Law, J.D., 2004
- United States Naval Academy, B.S., 1995, with merit
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- Thompson Hine Welcomes Construction Veteran Mike Viayra as Partner in Los Angeles,
Thompson Hine LLP
, March 11, 2025