(Anaheim, CA.) - Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to announce that Domingo Tan, a partner in the Los Angeles office, has been awarded the prestigious Jerrold S. Oliver Award of Excellence. Fondly known as the "Ollie", this esteemed accolade is presented annually to a standout professional in the construction defect community who has demonstrated exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to the field.
The exciting announcement of Tan's victory took place during the 30th Anniversary of the West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar in Anaheim. Widely recognized as the nation's largest conference for professionals handling construction defect matters, the event drew a remarkable gathering of general counsel, risk managers, claim professionals, and attorneys who actively participated in the nomination and voting process.
The Ollie award pays tribute to the late Judge Jerrold S. Oliver, a highly respected legal professional renowned for his groundbreaking work in alternate dispute resolution methods for construction defect disputes. It celebrates individuals who embody the values of loyalty, commitment, and trust within the industry.
In a heartfelt response to this well-deserved recognition, Tan expressed profound gratitude, remarking, "I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Ollie Award. This prestigious accolade represents the values and principles that guide my work every day, and I am committed to continuing Judge Oliver's legacy of promoting fairness and excellence within our industry."
Tan's achievement marks the second time that a partner at WSHB has been bestowed with this remarkable honor. The first defense lawyer to receive the Ollie almost two decades ago was Stephen Henning, the founding partner himself. Reflecting on the significance of the award, Henning shared, "Having practiced before Judge Oliver for many years, this recognition holds a special place in my heart. Judge Oliver was widely regarded as the best of the best, adept at resolving the most complex and intricate cases. He was not only a personal friend but also a mentor, and I was overjoyed to be recognized with an award that bears his name."
WSHB is widely acclaimed for its exceptional work in handling a wide range of construction industry issues, representing developers, general contractors, Fortune 500 companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts, and more in construction-related matters. Since its establishment, the firm has been a trailblazer in the construction industry, achieving numerous "firsts" in this area of law.
"Domingo Tan consistently embodies exceptional legal expertise and unwavering dedication to our clients and the construction defect community," stated Henning. "We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and delighted that he has received this well-deserved recognition."
The prestigious award ceremony took place on May 16, 2024, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, as part of the West Coast Casualty's 30th Annual Construction Defect Seminar. This award holds immense significance as it is peer-based, with both the nomination process and the selection of the winner being conducted by industry professionals. Stewart Reid, firmwide managing partner, added, "It comes as no surprise that Domingo has received this award. He has earned the utmost respect and trust of all stakeholders in the settlement and trial process. We are absolutely thrilled that he has been bestowed with this tremendous honor."
About Domingo Tan
Domingo Tan has a broad range of experience in various areas of law, including construction, business litigation, premises liability, transportation, product liability, habitability, insurance, and toxic torts. In construction cases, Domingo has acted as lead counsel in numerous multimillion-dollar residential and commercial matters. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, several of California’s largest publicly held and privately held builders, real estate developers, contractors, construction managers and design professionals. He has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation, including depositions, mediation, judicial reference, arbitration, and trial.
Domingo is proud to be part of WSHB’s Recruiting Committee and Charity Committee. He also serves as a mentor for several associates through the firm’s Mentorship Program. Domingo began with the firm as a Summer Associate in 1999 and he is now Coordinator of the firm’s Law Clerk Program.
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