When Construction Contracts Go Sideways in Bankruptcy

Tracy Green | California Construction Law Blog | February 10, 2017 The contractor on a project files a bankruptcy case. How should the property owner and subcontractors proceed? When a party to a contract files bankruptcy, the other party’s actions are constrained by the bankruptcy code. Types of Bankruptcies The typical bankruptcy case involves a… Continue reading When Construction Contracts Go Sideways in Bankruptcy

A “Recovery” Against Insurers in Oregon does not Require a Money Judgment

Dwain Clifford | The Policyholder Report | February 8, 2017 Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court made it just a little easier for an insured to recover the attorney fees that it has been forced to spend in compelling an insurer to pay up. In Long v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Oregon, the Supreme Court… Continue reading A “Recovery” Against Insurers in Oregon does not Require a Money Judgment

The Importance of Clear Contract Terms

Michael Wilson | Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC | February 6, 2017 Many legal battles in the construction industry revolve around contract interpretation disputes. Care in contract drafting is a valuable way to avoid disputes. A fundamental principle of contract interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to the parties’ objectively expressed intent. What a… Continue reading The Importance of Clear Contract Terms

California Supreme Court Upholds Insurance Commissioner’s Authority to Regulate Replacement Cost Estimates

Christopher Kendrick and Valerie A. Moore | Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP | January 24, 2017 In Assn. of Cal. Insurance Companies v. Jones ( No. S226529, filed 1/23/17), the California Supreme Court reversed trial and appellate court decisions to hold that California’s Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones had the authority to promulgate California Code of… Continue reading California Supreme Court Upholds Insurance Commissioner’s Authority to Regulate Replacement Cost Estimates

Being Aggressive vs. Being Strategic

Anne Lockner | Robins Kaplan | January 11, 2017 INSTEAD, MORE CLIENTS SHOULD BE SAYING: “WE NEED TO BE STRATEGIC WITH THIS CASE.” “We need to be aggressive with this matter,” says a client who is either in litigation or in the midst of failing negotiations. All too often, what that really means is: “I’m… Continue reading Being Aggressive vs. Being Strategic