(Huntington Beach, CA) (September 18-20, 2024)- Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce that partner Katie Klapsa will be participating in an informative panel discussion at the upcoming Construction Litigation Management (CLM) Construction Conference. The conference will be held at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, CA, from September 18-20, 2024.
The session, titled, "Surf's Up: Liability and Risk Implications of Building in Coastal Regions," will focus on the rise of construction litigation in coastal regions such as California, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. These areas face unique and unpredictable weather and environmental conditions that contribute to greater claims severity and frequency. Katie will be joined by fellow though leaders: Andy Guerra, Director of Construction Defect and Litigation at Charles Taylor Adjusting & Technical Services; Beth Morris, Attorney at Van De Poel, Levy, Thomas, LLP; and Linda Pretzel-Roberts, Executive Claims Analyst at RiverStone Resources LLC.
This engaging panel will delve into the complexities of construction projects in coastal regions, addressing issues such as:
- The varying materials used to withstand indefinite loading conditions and demanding environments.
- The juxtaposition of these materials against owners' rights expectations.
- The challenges in harmonizing these variables to meet construction demands, leading to litigation when failures occur.
Attendees will gain insights into whether failures in coastal projects are due to construction issues, design flaws, or products not intended to withstand coastal conditions. The discussion will explore the roles of contractors, designers, manufacturers, and the limitations of building codes in these scenarios. The roundtable will also examine the challenges facing insurance, legal, and forensic experts in evaluating claims, coverage, and risk management.
"Coastal construction projects are uniquely challenging due to their complex designs, construction constraints, and environmental factors," commented Klapsa. "This session will provide valuable perspectives on navigating the intricate landscapes of construction defect litigation in these regions."
The CLM Construction Conference has been a leading event for over a decade, bringing together insurance and litigation professionals dedicated to the claims industry. This year's conference promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for networking, education, and professional development.
About Katie Klapsa
Katie Klapsa is a partner based in the Orlando and Miami offices of WSHB. She specializes in representing builders, developers, and general contractors in a wide range of issues including complex litigation and appellate matters. Katie handles various disputes, including construction defect claims, contract disputes, insurance coverage issues and general liability defense. Her experience includes representing clients at all stages of litigation in the courtroom and in administrative forums and advises clients on construction licensing and has experience defending clients in licensing board enforcement actions.
Katie regularly advises firm clients on strategies to avoid or mitigate litigation risk and helps clients avoid disputes by providing creative contract drafting ideas that reward early resolution of disputes. She is also experienced in Alternative Dispute Resolution efforts, including mediations, settlement conferences, and non-binding arbitrations.
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Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of almost 500 lawyers across 41 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
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