Robert Mann, Esq.
ADR EXPERIENCE
Well known and respected in the ADR profession, Robert Mann has
successfully mediated over 250 significant construction defect,
construction related breach of contract, delay and disruption, and
change order disputes (including multi-party, multi-family, commercial
and public works projects), real estate broker failure to disclose
disputes, residential real estate breach of contract, home inspection
disputes, wrongful termination, toxic tort wrongful death, entertainment
and business tort disputes.
With a keen and quick comprehension of complex construction, real
estate, and business issues earned after decades of litigation and ADR
experience, Mr. Mann is particularly adept at resolving high-value,
high-stakes, complicated and hotly contested matters.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS: CONSTRUCTION
Representative cases include public works (Los Angeles Metro Rail),
LAUSD construction disputes, numerous multi-family disputes in
California and Nevada with settlement value in the tens of millions of
dollars, luxury single family home disputes, commercial lease disputes.
Mr. Mann has successfully mediated numerous multi-party construction
disputes in California and Nevada involving residential, commercial and
public works projects.
As an Arbitrator, Mr. Mann has handled cases involving commercial breach
of lease, breach of contract, delay, disruption and construction defect
in construction of middle school (25 day arbitration); breach of
contract in construction of single family residence; specific
performance of commercial purchase and sale agreement; commercial breach
of contract for purchase of real property, construction defect single
family residence claims. He has also acted as owner’s representative for
a multi-million dollar complex underground structure and as
Court-appointed special master to oversee construction of new luxury
single family home for owner who suffered catastrophic injury resulting
in paralysis.
LEGAL CAREER
1998- President, The Mann Law Firm
1993-1998 Partner, Colton Mann Partnership
1979-1998 Partner, Fierstein & Sturman Law Corp.
1977-1979 Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney
Mr. Mann has thirty years of experience in construction, real estate and
business litigation, arbitration and mediation, including over 20 years
substantial experience in litigation, arbitration and mediation of
complex construction disputes. Nearly 100% of his practice was devoted
to construction law matters, including representation of owners,
developers, general contractors, subcontractors, specialty contractors,
architects, and engineers.
His Experience includes all aspects of construction disputes, including
construction defect, delay, disruption, mechanic’s liens, change orders,
private and public works, multi-family, multi-party, residential and
commercial. Substantial technical expertise in building, including a
thorough understanding of infrastructure (including dry and wet
underground utilities), sewer systems, septic systems, soils and
geotechnical issues, foundations, framing, fenestration, electrical,
mechanical, plumbing, exterior plaster systems, roofing, waterproofing,
civil engineering and mold.
He also served as an expert witness regarding the reasonableness of
attorneys fees and standard of care in construction defect disputes, and
is an author and lecturer on construction and construction mediation
issues.
EDUCATION
• (A.B., 1974) Stanford University
• (J.D. cum laude, 1977) Santa Clara University
ADR TRAINING
2/2007 AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration
10/2005 Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding and Writing Awards
11/2003 AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training
10/2002 AAA Arbitrator I Training-Fundamental of the Arbitration Process
1996, 1997 Mediation Alliance, Basic and Advanced Mediation Training
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Complex Construction Defect, Business/Commercial, Real Estate, Class
Action, Complex Litigation, Entertainment, Environmental, Insurance,
Defamation, Government/Public Agency, Unfair Competition, Professional
Liability
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS
• American Bar Association (Forum on Construction Law; Section on
Litigation)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Beverly Hills Bar Association
• Century City Bar Association
• Association of Business Trial Lawyers
• International Conference of Building Officials
• California Association of Community Managers
• Community Association Institute
• Contract Specifications Institute
• Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association
• Southern California Mediation Association
PUBLICATIONS
• Defect-Free Buildings A Construction Manual for Quality Control and
Conflict Resolution 2007, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY
• “10 Foolproof Ways to Lose Big At Arbitration,” Los Angeles Daily
Journal, 2004
• “What Happens When You Go To Arbitration?” The Journal of Light
Construction, Hanley Wood Publications, October, 2004
• “What We Learn in Arbitrator School,” Association of Business Trial
Lawyers ABTL Report, Vol. XXVI, No.1, Fall 2003
• Author of numerous appellate briefs with two published decisions
• Columnist for the Daily Journal on construction issues
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“The Architects Responsibility During Construction Administration,”
Construction Law Seminar, Construction Specifications Institute/AIA,
September 29, 2007, “Effective Case Preparation for
Commercial/Construction Mediation,” The Absolute Mediator, Pepperdine
University, November 5, 2005; 3rd Annual Avoiding and Resolving
Construction Claims, LACBA, September 11, 2004; “ADR Advocacy, Preparing
and Presenting Your Case, 2nd Annual Avoiding and Resolving Construction
Claims, Pepperdine University, September 12, 2003; “Basics of
Construction Defects,” Century City Bar Association.
This page was last modified in September 2010
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