Robert Mann, Esq. T: 310.203.8200 F: 310.203.8211

EDUCATION:

• (A.B., 1974) Stanford University

• (J.D., cum laude, 1977) Santa Clara University

ACADEMIC HONORS:

• Recipient, First Prize, Nathan Burkan Memorial Copyright Law Competition, 1977

• Comments Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1977

LEGAL CAREER:

• (1998-present) 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
  

Robert Mann has thirty years of experience in construction, real estate and business litigation, arbitration and mediation. He has over 20 years substantial experience in litigation, arbitration and mediation of complex construction disputes. Nearly 100% of his practice is devoted to construction law matters, including representation of owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, specialty contractors, architects, and engineers. Robert Mann's 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. Robert Mann's notable professional accomplishments include the representation of the original owner/developer of the Shutters at the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, CA in arbitration against the general contractor over a period of 261 hearing days and obtaining an award for client of approximately $90 million and defeating the contractor’s $24 million claim. Robert Mann has also represented many owners of very large (25,000 square foot plus) luxury single family residences in construction defect matters. Robert Mann serves as an expert witness re reasonableness of attorneys fees and standard of care in construction defect disputes. He is an author and lecturer on construction and construction mediation issues.

ADR EXPERIENCE:

Mediator, Arbitrator, Discovery Referee

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. 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. Robert Mann has successfully mediated numerous multi-party construction disputes in California and Nevada involving residential, commercial and public works projects.

As an Arbitrator, Robert 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. Robert Mann 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.

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)

• “What We Learn in Arbitrator School,” Association of Business Trial Lawyers ABTL Report, Vol. XXVI, No.1, Fall 2003

• “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

• “Copyright Law Revision and the Kewanee Preemption Issue: Is There A Doctrine in the House?” 16 Santa Clara Law Review, 609, 1977

• Author of numerous appellate briefs with two published decisions

• Columnist for Los Angeles 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.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:

• Admitted to the Bar: California, 1977

• U.S. District Court: Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

• U.S. Supreme Court
  

REFERENCES:

Leslie Marks, Esq. (310) 478-4100; George Calkins, Esq. (310) 277-4222; Hon. Victoria Cheney, Judge of the Superior Court (213) 351-8508; Bart Ring, Esq. (818) 587-9299.

AVAILABLE:

Throughout California and Nevada

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