We were, in the beginning, a dirt-under-the-fingernails, boots-on-the-ground construction firm. Real construction lawyers that could read plans, knew to bring a hardhat to the site, and comfortable talking with stakeholders in the site trailer. That remains a keystone in our practice: an in-depth and experienced understanding of the nature and business of construction-related matters.

We represent almost all of our public educational institution clients in the planning and implementation of modernization and ground-up construction projects and programs. The complexity and diversity of general obligation bond programs and projects demand particular legal expertise, which we have acquired through decades of providing these particular legal services.

While much of our construction law services are “transactional” in nature, we have one of the most highly distinguished construction litigation practices in California. We believe we have worked with virtually every attorney in California who represents subcontractors, prime contractors, construction managers, architects or sureties. Our active representation of public agencies has earned the respect of the public construction community. It is this respect and consistent dealings that permit us to get things done that other firms would simply be unable or unwilling to economically accomplish.

Litigation without a goal is a waste of resources and we understand the goal of our public entity clients—to pay the construction cost agreed upon, not more or less, in exchange for the timely construction of safe and quality buildings. We make every effort to secure proper performance by contractors and consultants prior to the initiation of a claim. If a claim is initiated, we make every effort to resolve the claim as quickly as possible. While we recognize that informal claim resolution is always preferable, when necessary, we have highly experienced trial attorneys prepared to vindicate our client's interests.

We have in-depth knowledge and experience in all issues relating to project labor agreements, community workforce agreements, and other local-economic factors that may drive a particular project.

We also represent public agencies in other facilities-related, high-profile matters. Our firm recently was successful in a lawsuit for the Santa Ana Unified School District against the State Allocation Board over the demand for a return of “savings” from school district projects utilizing funds from the Overcrowding Relief Grant program.

Recent Success

Orbach Huff & Henderson has been privileged to serve as counsel to our public agency on billions of dollars of public works. By way of example, we:

• Obtained an $8.5M judgment following a five-week jury trial for a plaintiff public agency client.
• Obtained a $6.5M judgment following a three-week jury trial for a plaintiff public agency client.
• Obtained a published appellate decision upholding a trial court victory for a public agency client.
  
• From one of the largest public agencies in the US, were assigned our 1,000^th new case from this one agency alone.
  
• Obtained a defense judgment in a $300M action against a public agency client.
  
• Obtained a defense judgment in a $159M action against a public agency client.
• Obtained a dismissal of a $37M claim against a public agency client.
• Obtained a defense judgment concerning a $2.5M action against a public agency client.
• Obtained a defense judgment concerning a $2M action against a public agency client.
• Obtained a jury verdict in favor of a public agency client in a 200-parcel condemnation action.