Law Firm Overview

Mr. Brown is a recognized expert in construction litigation, public works projects and contract management. He has resolved more than 2,500 construction disputes, including complex mediations, jury trials, court trials, DRB's and arbitrations.

His practice focuses upon serving as Project Counsel, as well as Mediator, Arbitrator and Special Master in Complex Construction Cases. He also serves as an advisory capacity on large and complex construction projects and litigation in the public & private sector.

Career Highlights

Mr. Brown served as Legal Counsel for the Carquinez Suspension Bridge Project ($300 Million - I-80) representing the construction joint venture. This Project is one of the largest Caltrans Projects and the first suspension bridge in 35 years in California.

Project Counsel for John Wayne Airport, a position held 1985-1998, including the design and construction of the $340 million airport expansion; Lead Trial Counsel - six pipeline failures - largest construction defect case in Arizona history, a $147 million public agency lawsuit; Lead Counsel for $250 million in claims associated with the SCE Laughlin, Nevada Powerplant Explosion, including six worker deaths and numerous injuries, business interruption and loss of generation capacity; Lead Counsel for $43 Million Pipeline Failure Case (Crystal Springs Pipeline, San Francisco); Legal Counsel obtaining a $2.4 million recovery from bonding companies on behalf of the City of Orange; numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases and Special Counsel for a Utility District on a $40 million construction claim.

Ernest C. Brown, Esq., PE, CEO, is also active as a Construction Mediator and Arbitrator. He has heard dozens of cases for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) since 1982 and is a Member of the AAA's National Panel of Construction Arbitrators and Mediators.

From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Brown was Corporate Counsel for Fluor Daniel, one of the world's largest engineering and project management companies. After Fluor, he entered private practice and has handled a vast array of environmental and construction-related negotiations and litigation nationally. Prior to starting his own firm in 1989, he was a construction and litigation partner at Orange County's second largest law firm.

Professional Involvement

Mr. Brown has served as Chairman of the Associated General Contractors of California Legal Advisory Committee and Co-Chairman of the Construction Law Section of the California State Bar. He is a member of the State Bar of California, National Society of Professional Engineers, Environmental Professionals Organization and a member of the National Panel of Construction Arbitrators for the American Arbitrators Association. Mr. Brown has written over fifty articles on construction litigation and public works, architects/engineers malpractice, and environmental law. He co-authored Federal Publications and Cambridge Institute course manuals on architect-engineer malpractice and served as an editor for the Continuing Education of the Bar's "Construction Contracts and Disputes" and author of CEB's "California Public Contract Law" handbook. He is a regular lecturer for the California Bar Association on construction litigation and is a frequent speaker at industry groups.

Education

Mr. Brown earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil/ Environmental Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1975). He continued his education with a Master of Science degree in Construction Management (M.S.C.E.) and Law Degree (J.D.) from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley (1978). He also did graduate work at Harvard Law School. Mr. Brown is a licensed civil engineer and attorney with over 30 years of construction and environmental problem-solving experience.

Areas of Practice

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Arbitration
• Construction Accidents
• Construction Law
• Mediation
• Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Honors and Awards

• Honorary President, Chi Epsilon Engineering Fraternity

West Practice Categories

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, Mediation, Construction Law, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff