Construction Defect Litigation
Our Construction Defect Litigation practice focuses on representing insurers, developers, contractors, and design professionals in disputes arising from alleged construction defects. We handle claims involving structural issues, water intrusion, design flaws, material failures, and building code violations.
With a deep understanding of construction laws, contractual obligations, and industry standards, our team provides strategic legal counsel and defense throughout all stages of litigation, from pre-litigation investigations and mediation to trial and appeal. We work diligently to protect our clients’ interests, whether resolving disputes through negotiations or defending against claims in court.
Our goal is to efficiently manage complex construction defect cases while minimizing risk and liability for our clients, achieving successful outcomes in even the most challenging disputes.
Explore Our Locations
Talk Now
(305) 416-3180
Follow Us
Construction Defect Litigation Team
Dianna L. Albini, a Partner at Lydecker’s California Offices, has been a trial attorney for more than 34 years. She is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™, and the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ Judicial Edition as an AV Rated-Preeminent member.[1]
Ms. Albini primarily handles complex catastrophic injury litigation, as well as mass tort litigation involving environmental, medical device implant, and pharmaceutical matters, and civil litigation. Ms. Albini has been admitted Pro Hac Vice as a trial attorney throughout the United States, including New Jersey, Florida, Montana, Georgia, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and Illinois.
Ms. Albini founded her boutique law firm in San Francisco, California. As the firm’s trial attorney, she secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, and over the course of her career thus far, her clients have recovered more than $100 million. Ms. Albini also served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers. She is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Albini, is a California and San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist on numerous occasions.
Ms. Albini is a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California and has appeared in the Court of Appeal of California, First, Second, and Fifth Appellate Districts.
Ms. Albini has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco, in the State of California. She has also volunteered as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco, Hastings, and Golden Gate University Law Schools.
Ms. Albini received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and Administration from the University of San Francisco, where she attended on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Ms. Albini was the third female athlete inducted into the University of San Francisco Athletic Hall of Fame. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she made the Dean’s list.
[1] AV-Preeminent ratings are the Highest possible rating, reflecting the confidential opinions of California Bar and Judiciary members who know Ms. Albini’s legal ability and ethical standards.
Tom Allmond is a Partner and Supervising Attorney in the firm’s Jacksonville Office. Mr. Allmond’s practice includes all aspects of civil litigation. Mr. Allmond litigated numerous cases, handling labor and employment cases, property damage, conducted and managed investigations, environmental law litigation, and participated in domestic emergency responses.
Mr. Allmond earned his J.D. from Mercer University School of Law, graduating with honors and a certificate in Legal Writing. While completing his studies, Mr. Allmond was a member of the Gibbons Moot Court Team, served as a Petty Officer in the Navy Reserves, and was awarded the Walker P. Johnson Jr. Memorial Award by the William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court.
Upon graduation, Mr. Allmond served on active duty as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG). During his time as a JAG, Mr. Allmond continues to serve in the Navy Reserves as a Commander (select). Mr. Allmond is admitted in Florida and North Carolina.
Tiran Alon is an associate in the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Alon’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation. Mr. Alon’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and construction litigation. In his practice, Mr. Alon represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. Mr. Alon joined the firm in November 2020.
Mr. Alon obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law with Cum Laude honors. While in law school, Mr. Alon interned with the in-house counsel of two different corporations, where he ensured compliance with a wide range of regulatory matters. Mr. Alon was also the Vice President of the Intellectual Property Legal Society and served on the International and Comparative Law Review.
Matthew Biondi is a partner in Lydecker’s New Jersey and New York office and has since established a solid reputation across a broad range of legal fields. His practice areas include construction litigation, general liability, New York Labor Law, professional liability, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage. Matthew is skilled at navigating the complex legal landscapes of both New York and New Jersey, where he is fully licensed to practice.
Matthew has developed a focus in defending construction defect claims on behalf of developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals, such as architects and engineers, in New Jersey and New York state and federal courts.
Matthew’s commitment to legal excellence is evident in his meticulous approach to case preparation and client advocacy. His analytical skills and comprehensive knowledge have led to successful outcomes in numerous high-stakes cases. He is particularly noted for his strategic use of pre-trial motions, which often result in favorable resolutions for his clients.
Upon earning his law degree, Matthew had the honor of serving as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Jamie S. Perri, J.S.C., in the Law Division of Monmouth County. This role provided him with invaluable insights into judicial processes and deepened his understanding of civil litigation, directly influencing his practical and thorough approach to legal challenges.
In addition to his courtroom achievements, Matthew is dedicated to the legal community, regularly contributing to legal journals and speaking at conferences focused on his areas of expertise.
Matthew’s professional principles are characterized by a steadfast commitment to justice and integrity, making him a respected figure in the legal profession and a trusted advocate for his clients.
Ms. Brice is a Senior Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. Ms. Brice has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She earned her law degree from Glendale University College of Law.
She currently focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation, products liability and personal injury. She also has experience in medical malpractice and worker’s compensation defense.
Ms. Brice is a member of the State Bar of California, California Lawyers Association, and Women’s Lawyer Association of Los Angeles, and is dedicated to promoting the full participation of women lawyers and judges in the legal profession. She is a vigilant advocate for each client she represents, taking great pride and interest in each case.
Christopher Cancio is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office and is part of the Construction Defect Litigation team. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Christopher has a strong foundation in law and litigation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating cum laude in 2018. His pursuit of legal excellence continued at the Interamerican School of Law in San Juan, where he received a Juris Doctor in 2022. After gaining admission to the Florida Bar in 2023, Christopher launched his legal career as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office for Miami-Dade County.
During his tenure as a prosecutor, Christopher gained significant trial experience, handling a wide range of cases in both bench and jury trials. He was instrumental in the successful prosecution of numerous cases, honing skills in courtroom litigation, case strategy, and legal research. This invaluable experience laid a solid foundation for his transition into insurance defense at Hicks, Porter & Stein, P.A., where he represented corporate and insured clients in a wide range of civil matters, including premises liability, personal injury, and general negligence claims across Florida. Building on that litigation background, he later joined Lydecker, where he now focuses on complex construction defect litigation involving residential and commercial properties.
Christopher brings a results-driven approach to every case, ensuring that clients receive dedicated and effective representation. With a commitment to upholding the highest standards of legal practice, he is an integral part of the Lydecker team.
Denis M. Carey is Of Counsel in the firm’s New Jersey office. He is licensed to practice law in the federal and state courts of New Jersey and New York. He handles matters in the fields of premises liability, motor vehicle, construction defect, professional malpractice, construction casualty and insurance coverage. Mr. Carey has over 12 years’ experience in commercial litigation. He has been involved in numerous nationwide multidistrict litigations dealing with various product liability and drug injury cases. He’s also worked in securities fraud, data privacy, employment law, antitrust, and consumer fraud matters.
Filippo Carnazzi is an associate in the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Carnazzi’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation. In his practice, Mr. Carnazzi represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and design defect. Mr. Carnazzi joined the firm in February 2022.
Mr. Carnazzi was born and raised in Italy and he obtained his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in International Arbitration from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Carnazzi interned with the in-house counsel with two multinationals companies, and he started his practice of law in Miami based law firm as an associate to assist companies in litigation and transactional matters.
Christopher Chapaneri is the managing partner for our offices in Texas and Oklahoma and the founding partner of our Dallas office. Christopher is a strategic, results-oriented litigator obtaining favorable settlements where appropriate and trying cases before a judge or jury when needed, including first and second chair jury trial experience in state and federal courts. Christopher intuitively anticipates litigation methods pursued by all parties in a lawsuit, allowing him the ability to engage in “outside the box” strategies where appropriate.
Christopher is experienced in and enjoys practicing in a wide array of cases involving commercial litigation, wrongful death/survivor actions, products liability, premises liability, construction defect, catastrophic injury, transportation matters, employment litigation, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, professional liability for engineers, amusement park law, and environmental law. Moreover, Christopher has handled a variety of appellate matters to the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Christopher has taught the following Lydecker U courses “Handling Complex Litigation in Amusement Park Industry in Texas” and “Enforcement of Arbitration & Pre-Injury Waivers Against Minors in Texas” for CE/CLE credit.
Mr. Clouser is an Associate Attorney in the Lydecker Miami office. Mr. Clouser began his career in the legal field in 2021 working as a law clerk for a prominent law firm based in Miami, Florida, where he gained an integral and fundamental understanding of the complex issues and processes surrounding civil litigation in Florida. Upon graduation from Capital University Law School in May 2023, Mr. Clouser sat for the Florida bar in July 2023. After passing the bar, Mr. Clouser was admitted to practice as a licensed attorney in the State of Florida in September 2023.
Following bar admission, Mr. Clouser began his career as an attorney working for a national full service law firm based out of Miami, Florida, where he handled a variety of complex civil litigation cases prior to joining Lydecker.
Mr. Conto is a Partner at the firm’s Boca Raton Office. Mr. Conto began his career in law representing corporations in legal matters concerning maritime law. Mr. Conto then joined a well-known litigation defense firm with offices throughout Florida. There he focused his practice on defending corporations in construction defect matters, premises liability matters and negligent security matters involving claims of wrongful death. He also represented insurance companies in high exposure first-party property disputes.
At Lydecker Mr. Conto is concentrating his practice on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, product manufacturers and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. Mr. Conto has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation including trials, summary judgment proceedings and mediations.
Anoop Desai is an associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where his practice is focused on construction defect litigation and complex civil matters. These representations include construction and design defect disputes, construction transactions, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental/pollution claims and construction accident claims.
Mr. Desai handles matters involving construction and design defects, construction delay claims, payment and lien disputes, breach of contract, professional liability, and regulatory issues. He is known for his practical, detail-oriented approach and commitment to achieving efficient, results-driven outcomes for his clients throughout all phases of litigation, including pre-suit resolution, mediation, arbitration, and trial.
Anoop earned his J.D. from Barry University School of Law and his B.S. from the University of Miami. While in law school, he served on the Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta and gained valuable experience that informs his strategic approach to complex litigation.
Ms. Franks is a partner in the firm’s Miami office, where she defends local, national, and international organizations, as well as individuals, and tries catastrophic personal injury actions, premises liability matters, professional liability claims, construction defect matters, and medical/substance abuse treatment malpractice claims throughout the State of Florida.
Ms. Franks is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to South Florida in 2002 to study journalism and political science. Prior to pursuing her law degree, Ms. Franks taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami in the Department of Political Science for five years. Her classes included Intro to American National Government, the Legislative Process, and Congressional Representation. Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011.
Ms. Franks has considerable experience dealing with automobile negligence, professional malpractice, medical malpractice, and premises liability matters involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and extra contractual exposure, including a focus on evidentiary issues, dispositive motion practice, complex liability claims, and damages mitigation.
Ms. Franks earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami in 2004. She graduated cum laude with a double-major in journalism and political science. Ms. Franks went on to complete a Master’s degree in Communication at the University of Miami in 2005, also graduating cum laude.
Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011. At the University of Miami School of Law, Ms. Franks was the recipient of the Hugh L. Wood Scholarship, Outstanding Merit Scholarship, and the Ehrich Scholarship. Ms. Franks served as a research assistant to multiple highly regarded University of Miami School of Law professors in the areas of environmental litigation and legislation, the first amendment, and communication regulation.
Doug Gerber is Of Counsel with Lydecker and works in the Firm’s Orlando office. Mr. Gerber been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and the Middle District of Florida since 2006. Mr. Gerber’s areas of practice include but are not limited to civil litigation, commercial litigation, general liability litigation, premises liability, property practice, and business law throughout the State of Florida. He has extensive experience in representing business entities, insurers, and individuals in litigation often involving motion practice, mediations, and trials.
A native Floridian who was born in and raised in South Florida and who has lived in Central Florida for more than 25 years, Mr. Gerber is a double Gator, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 1992 and his master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a Specialization in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 1996. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Gerber was admitted and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
After working for various sports organizations in Central Florida involving amateur sports events, college bowl games, NFL exhibitions, and the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Gerber attended the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where was first a Staff Member and then became an Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. Mr. Gerber had his article on the validity of arbitration clauses in personal injury suits involving minors published in the Fall 2003 issue of the Nova Law Review. He was also a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society while at the Shepard Broad Law Center after interning with the Administrative Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida and with the City Attorney’s Office with the City of Coral Springs.
Mr. Gerber has served as the Chairman of the Real Property Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, was a member of the Small Claims Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, and most recently served as the Chair of Section C of the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Madeleine Gerdes is an Associate in the firm’s Dallas office. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a Minor in Legal Studies, from the University of Mississippi. Madeleine returned to her home state of Texas to pursue her Juris Doctor at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
During law school, Madeleine demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. She volunteered with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, assisting veterans through the program’s legal clinic. She also served at UNT Dallas’s Community Lawyering Center, providing pro bono legal assistance in a variety of civil matters to underserved communities across North Texas.
Following her admission to the bar, Madeleine began her legal career as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney, where she managed a range of personal injury cases throughout the litigation process. She joined Lydecker with valuable experience advocating for clients in complex civil matters.
Michael Goldman is a Partner at the firm’s New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania offices. His practice focuses in the area of employment law. Michael represents employers across a multitude of industries in litigation related to employment discrimination claims, wage and hour claims, and restrictive covenants. He also counsels clients on best practices.
Michael has extensive civil litigation experience and handles cases from inception through trial. He regularly appears in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative law and dispute resolution forums. Prior to joining the firm, Michael practiced as an associate at a prominent New Jersey firm, concentrating his practice in defense litigation on behalf of private and public entities, with an emphasis on tort liability, labor and employment law, and civil rights defense. He also represented clients in the areas of wage and hour claims, commercial litigation, construction law, and education law. Earlier in his career, Michael was an associate at a well-known litigation boutique where he focused his practice on representing public entities in matters involving tort liability, labor and employment law, and civil rights defense. Michael has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2019-2023.
Bobbie Ann Henderson is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Atlanta office. Ms. Henderson has over 25 years of experience representing clients in all aspects of civil litigation. Her practice is focused on complex commercial and business litigation, insurance tort liability/defense, and premises liability/negligent security matters.
Ms. Henderson began her legal career with a 15-year focus on construction law, in which she represented sureties, developers, contractors, owners and design professionals in complex construction matters. Her work included payment and delay claims, regulatory compliance, construction defects and performance claims. A significant part of her practice involved business transactions and disputes and the assertion of creditor rights.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Henderson’s practice included defense of insurance companies and their insureds in matters involving first and third party insurance claims, complex civil litigation, serious bodily injury, and wrongful death cases.
Ms. Henderson received her undergraduate degree and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. She is admitted to practice in the states of Georgia and Florida.
Ms. LaFaurie is a Lydecker Partner overseeing teams throughout the Firm’s Florida and California offices, with extensive experience handling a wide variety of high exposure and complex general liability and personal injury matters. Ms. LaFaurie is the Head of the Firm’s Product Liability Department and the co-chair of the Mass Tort Department. She is one of the firm’s trial attorneys, who regularly handles matters through all phases of litigation, from evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, and through trial, before Local, State and Federal Courts in connection with a wide variety of complex civil and commercial litigation matters.
Ms. LaFaurie’s general liability, product liability, and mass tort litigation experience includes representing premises owners and operators, local and global manufacturers, as well as major national retailers in numerous areas within the wider tort-based field, such as catastrophic injury, premises liability claims, class action, mass and toxic tort litigation, recalled product claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials. Her experience includes high exposure injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters. Ms. LaFaurie proactively manages and advises her clients on legal and factual matters of first impression, including efforts to mitigate and limit the prospective of emerging and anticipated claims, future class action and large-scale legal exposures.
Ms. LaFaurie is actively involved in leadership and mentorship in several national organizations focused on defense of business owners of all kinds. She sits on several committees with a focus which reflects her practice in civil litigation, product liability and mass tort.
Jonathan J. Levy is of counsel to the firm and based out of the Boca Raton office. Mr. Levy’s practice includes Construction and Design Defect claims focusing on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, including architects, engineers, and surveyors, as well as environmental consultants, and product manufacturers.
A large portion of Mr. Levy’s practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration.
Additionally, Mr. Levy has experience working on construction transactions matters, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental/pollution claims, design claims, and construction accident claims.
Mr. Levy joined the firm in March 2022. Prior to joining the firm Mr. Levy was an associate attorney at a boutique law firm specializing in Foreclosure Defense, Complex Business and Commercial Litigation, Appellate Advocacy, and Corporate Transactional Law.
Mr. Levy obtained his law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 2019. During law school Mr. Levy served on the executive board for the Jewish Law Society and was a student delegate at AIPAC Policy Conference. Mr. Levy was also a law clerk at NSU’S Berger Entrepreneurship Clinic, providing legal work to underserved small businesses, and achieved Dean’s List for multiple semesters. Prior to law school Mr. Levy worked for high tech companies in Tel-Aviv, Israel, garnering substantial international business experience.
Matthew is a partner in our Philadelphia and New Jersey offices and a seasoned civil litigator with extensive experience representing clients in administrative proceedings and in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. His diverse practice encompasses complex litigation matters, with a strong focus on construction litigation, professional liability, general liability, commercial litigation, insurance-related disputes, and the defense and counseling of clients in the financial services industry.
Construction
Matthew has developed a particular emphasis in defending developers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in public and private construction disputes. He regularly handles matters involving construction defects, accidents, and contract disputes, and serves as outside counsel to contractors in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on issues including contract negotiation, risk transfer, and construction payment claims. For example, Matthew practice includes:
- Representing a national engineering firm in a multi-day, seven-figure arbitration over a public project dispute, resulting in a favorable settlement;
- Defending numerous engineering and architectural firms in construction defect litigation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania;
- Representing developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect litigation involving low-, mid-, and high-rise projects;
- Defending developers and contractors in seven- and eight-figure construction accident cases; and
- Defending residential contractors in construction defect, warranty, consumer fraud, and breach of contract claims.
Professional Liability
In the professional liability space, Matthew is widely recognized for his defense of attorneys, insurance brokers, real estate professionals, title agents, accountants, and other licensed professionals in malpractice actions, licensing board matters, and disciplinary proceedings. Notable successes include:
- Securing summary judgment for a New Jersey law firm and its principal in a legal malpractice action in federal court;
- Successfully defending commercial and residential real estate brokers in post-transaction litigation;
- Defending a title agency against mortgage fraud allegations and an accounting firm in a malpractice dispute;
- Representing financial professionals in FINRA proceedings, including suitability claims brought by investors; and
- Resolving numerous legal and insurance broker malpractice claims through early resolution.
Insurance Coverage
Matthew also has a robust insurance coverage practice, representing insurers in high-stakes disputes involving complex policy interpretations and bad faith allegations. He has:
- Secured dismissals for insurance carriers in a declaratory judgment and breach of contract actions;
- Successfully represented insurance carriers in coverage litigation before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels affirming no duty to defend or indemnify;
- Represented a reinsurer in an insurance coverage action; and
- Represented a hospital in a multi-year insurance coverage battle involving multiple appeals.
Commercial Litigation
Outside of the insurance context, Matthew also represents individuals and corporate clients in sophisticated, high-profile commercial disputes involving business dissolution, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, products liability, and employment-related matters including ERISA, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and wrongful termination claims such as:
- Defended corporate clients in matters involving business dissolution, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and trade secrets;
- Defended companies and their owners in corporate raiding cases;
- Successfully represented an owner of a closely held corporation in a judicial dissolution action and a breach of fiduciary duty action;
- Successfully defended a national staffing agency and various employees in a corporate raiding matter; and
- Successfully represented medical professionals in RICO, insurance fraud, and licensure cases.
Matthew’s strategic, results-driven approach and breadth of experience make him a trusted advisor to professionals, insurers, and corporate clients facing complex and high-stakes litigation.
Spencer Mallard is a Board Certified Construction Lawyer with a statewide practice in all facets of construction and oversees the Firm’s construction practice. Mr. Mallard represents developers, general contractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, subcontractors and product manufacturers in a variety of contexts. These representations include construction and design defect disputes, construction transactions, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental/pollution claims and construction accident claims.
A large portion of his practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration.
Mr. Mallard has handled countless construction and design defect related disputes, including matters premised on building code violations, breaches of statutory implied warranties, contracts, indemnity agreements, and negligence. These disputes include alleged water intrusion through building exteriors, structural instability/cracking/settlement, mechanical/electrical/plumbing/fire suppression system performance/durability issues, inadequate building/site drainage and exterior coating/cladding failures. In addition to defending all clients from these claims, Mr. Mallard frequently represents developers and general contractors in the presentation of pass-through claims. He also has extensive experience litigating and advising on insurance coverage issues pertaining to construction and design defect claims. Mr. Mallard’s practice also includes representation of owners, contractors and design professionals in construction transactions.
This includes drafting/negotiation of contracts, advising clients during planning of developments, assisting with administration the construction process, resolving issues during project close-out and pre-turnover of condominium.
Meliz Martin is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Martin represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. These representations include construction and design defect disputes, construction transactions, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental claims, and construction accident claims involving catastrophic injuries. Her practice involves disputes arising from water intrusion through building exteriors; structural integrity; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression system performance issues; inadequate site drainage; and exterior coating and cladding failures.
A large portion of her practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration. Ms. Martin’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state trial litigation. She has taken hundreds of depositions and has attended hundreds of hearings. She obtained favorable results in the vast majority of these matters.
Ms. Martin’s litigation philosophy involves having an eye towards detail, this is especially true in design and construction litigation, as these claims have multiple parties and voluminous multiyear records for the life span of a construction project. Equally important is a focus on plaintiffs’ claims, which typically involve tens of hundreds of defect items. Understanding these complex facts and issues facilitates opportunities for risk transfer and early resolution of matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Martin was practicing in the areas of condominium and homeowners association, construction and real estate litigation.
Mr. Masson is an experienced civil litigator with a history of success in handling a broad array of complex and high exposure civil matters for individuals, insurers, and other business entities. Mr. Masson prides himself on being an out of the box thinker that is dedicated to meeting his client’s specific needs, providing them with superb legal representation, and obtaining very favorable results.
Mark Mercer is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Los Angeles and San Diego office. He has over 20 years of experience representing companies and public agencies on complex legal issues. His career legal started with personal injury defense, which then lead him to representing sureties in construction litigation. From there, his practice transitioned to the public sector where he represented and advised public agencies with a variety of construction and environmental compliance issues. In addition, to practicing construction law, Mark has worked in other areas of the law such as real estate, project entitlement and insurance coverage.
Mewerick Mozza is an associate attorney at the Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Mozza concentrates his practice in all aspects of federal and state civil litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Mozza worked for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at the Chambers of Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan, where he aided with matters from Social Security Disability determinations, maritime personal injury cases, to international breach of contracts. Furthermore, Magistrate Judge O’Sullivan and Mr. Mozza were invited to Bolivia to provide an international conference where they were awarded Distinguished Visitor status and laws passed under their names for aiding the judiciary system in Bolivia. Additionally, Mr. Mozza worked for Mozza & Abogados Asociados exposing him to a different legal system. He counseled in the administration and legal transactions of the clients’ international businesses throughout South America and in the United States, including the purchasing and leasing of real estate and their international commercial transactions. Furthermore, Mr. Mozza was the recipient of the Law Awards 2022 by Latin American Quality Institute due to the exceptional performance in representing clients in international business transactions. In addition, Mr. Mozza worked at the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine, P.A., where he handled personal injury claims and property damage claims in the pre-litigation and litigation departments. Mr. Mozza is committed to providing aggressive representation for all his clients and ensuring all clients receive effective legal representation.
Mr. Mozza graduated from the Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts and Majors in Political Science, Philosophy, and International Studies in addition to a Minor in Human Communication in 2011. Mr. Mozza graduated Cum Laude from his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2015, and was a member of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. Subsequently, Mr. Mozza graduated from a Master in Law in International Commercial Arbitration from the University of Miami in 2017. Mr. Mozza additionally obtained a Bachelor of Humanities in Political Science from Universidad Autónoma Gabriel Rene Moreno, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2022. In addition to being a member in good standing of the Florida Bar, Mr. Mozza is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Daniel Muggeo is an associate in the firm’s Boca Raton office. Mr. Muggeo focuses his practice on civil litigation including the defense of negligence, traumatic bodily injury, wrongful death, and malpractice. Mr. Muggeo is admitted to practice law in Florida state courts. Mr. Muggeo received his Juris Doctorate from the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University where he was a member of the ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law and the Nova Trial Association. He earned his undergraduate degree from Nova Southeastern University where he received his degree in legal studies.
Brian is Litigation Partner in Lydecker’s San Diego office with more than twenty years of success providing legal analysis, strategy and endeavors to look at all options for purposes of protecting clients. Brian represents parties from incept to trial in proceeding, including alternative dispute resolution.
Brian balances attention to detail and management methodologies to maintain a ‘big picture’ focus while minimizing client /company exposure to risk. He develops working relationships with all counsel in all litigation matter to ensure organization, steer the litigation towards the best resolution, and leverages these relationships to control client expenses.
Brian maintains a strong courtroom presence and drives case strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for individual and corporate clients through the application of critical thinking and outside the box.
Mr. Murphy’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus on product liability, premises liability, personal injury, and government liability. In his professional career, Brian has successfully represented corporate clients, private individuals, and government clients in all phases of litigation. His representation includes manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and major retailers in numerous areas within the field, such as mass and toxic tort litigation, product defect claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available chemicals, substances, and materials.
Over the course of nearly 20 years, Mr. Murphy has represented a diverse range of clients, including large and small businesses in the biotech, chemical, communications, construction, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, law enforcement, manufacturing, pest control, private post-secondary school, retail, and transportation industries.
Mr. Murphy also has extensive experience defending municipalities (defending government entities and their employees and school districts) and employers. He is admitted to practice in California.He is admitted to practice in all California district Courts, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California.
He earned his law degree from University of San Diego School of Law and his undergraduate degree from University of California, Riverside.
Patrick Naranjo is an Associate at Lydecker’s Orlando office. Mr. Naranjo’s practice includes Construction Defect Litigation, focusing on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, and product manufacturers.
Mr. Naranjo earned his J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. During law school, Mr. Naranjo served as a judicial extern at the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals under the Honorable Judge Charles Sulek. His leadership roles included serving as President and co-founder of the Latino/a Law Students Association, President of the University of Toledo Graduate Student Association, and Treasurer of the International Law Society. In these positions, Mr. Naranjo played a critical role in promoting diversity, fostering community, and advancing student engagement. Additionally, Mr. Naranjo was a member of the University of Toledo’s Strategic Planning Committee, where he contributed to shaping a bold, comprehensive plan to guide the university’s future. He also served on the SHIP RFP Committee, working to select a health insurance provider that balanced quality coverage with affordability for the university’s student population.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Naranjo worked as a Law clerk and Associate Attorney at a Florida-based insurance defense firm, representing clients in general liability matters, including premises liability, negligent security, and casualty defense.
Ms. Negrette is Of Counsel in the firm’s Boca Raton office where she focuses her practice in construction defect litigation and construction-related disputes. In this complex field, Ms. Negrette is dedicated to representing contractors, developers, subcontractors, and other construction professionals in a wide range of high-stakes, multi-million dollar litigation disputes stemming from the design and construction of residential and commercial projects. Ms. Negrette joined the firm in May 2023. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Negrette focused her practice in the areas of insurance coverage, first-party property defense, general liability, and complex commercial litigation.
While in law school, Ms. Negrette competed in four moot court competitions including the National Puerto Rican Bar Moot Court Competition where her team was awarded Best Brief at Nationals. Ms. Negrette graduated magna cum laude and received Book Awards in Contracts, Evidence, and Appellate Practice Workshop. During law school, Ms. Negrette also completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Tim Bailey of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
In 2025, Ms. Negrette was recognized as a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star. Lawyers are selected for inclusion each year based on peer nominations, evaluations, and third-party research.
Mr. Patten is a Partner at Lydecker’s New York and New Jersey offices. He serves in the commercial litigation department where he works on third party insurance defense, including General Liability Defense, Bodily Injury Defense, New York Labor Law Defense, Construction Defect Litigation, Architects & Engineers litigation, Products Liability, and a variety of other civil litigation issues. Mr. Patten has litigated countless cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic accidents/injuries at construction sites, including claims brought under New York Labor Laws section 200, 240, and 241.
In addition, Mr. Patten is an expert in automobile negligence defense. He has been working in the auto negligence industry for the majority of his career and manages complex cases involving multi-vehicle accidents and catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Mr. Patten provides legal guidance on issues involving vicarious liability, indemnity, as well as non-permissive use. He has experience in both trial and arbitration settings, reaching final judgments, verdicts, and beneficial settlements for his auto negligence clients.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Patten was a prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where he obtained extensive trial experience prosecuting criminal misdemeanor and felony level charges. Mr. Patten also prosecuted for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, where he litigated dependency issues and termination of parental rights cases.
Mr. Patten received his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top 3% of his class. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History, Cum Laude, from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
While in law school, Mr. Patten served as Editor-in-Chief for the St. Thomas Law Review, as well as Student Bar Association President. Mr. Patten also tutored students in property law and worked as an intern for the Honorable Judge John O’Sullivan in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Andrew is an attorney in Lydecker’s Orlando office. Andrew represents clients in a variety of construction related disputes including construction and design defect, transactional, contract drafting, review and negotiation, construction contract disputes, construction delay claims and licensure/regulatory matters.
Andrew provides a full-service practice to clients, providing advice at all states of a construction project from initial contract creation, mid-project disputes, termination and all phases of litigation from pre-suit to final disposition. Andrew has handles construction disputes throughout the State of Florida representing developers, general contractors and subcontractors at mediation, arbitration and trial. He also has extensive experience in general civil litigation in a variety of civil matters including residential finance and insurance defense.
Winfield Pollidore is a trial and civil litigation attorney in Lydecker’s Atlanta office. He has extensive experience representing clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, including the defense of tort claims such as construction defects, motor vehicle accidents, property damage, premises liability, and product liability. In addition to his civil litigation practice, Mr. Pollidore is well-versed in family law, handling all aspects of domestic relations issues, including divorce, child custody, mediation, spousal support, and post-divorce disputes.
Before pursuing a legal career, Mr. Pollidore worked as a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry, where he developed a keen analytical approach to problem-solving. His engineering background provides him with a unique perspective in handling complex construction defect cases, allowing him to effectively represent contractors, property owners, and other professionals facing intricate liability issues. His ability to navigate both technical and legal complexities makes him a valuable advocate for his clients.
A significant portion of Mr. Pollidore’s practice has been dedicated to construction defect litigation. His comprehensive understanding of construction-related claims, allows him to tailor effective legal solutions for his clients. Whether defending businesses against liability claims or guiding families through challenging legal matters, Mr. Pollidore is committed to delivering results-driven representation.
Anthony Ricucci is a partner in the firm’s San Francisco office. Mr. Ricucci’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state courts civil trial litigation with a primary focus on toxic torts, products liability and bodily injury litigation.
Mr. Ricucci earned his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he was the Director of the Moot Court Board Advanced Competitions and served as an intern at the U.S. Attorneys’ Office in both San Francisco and in Washington D.C. He received trial practice training at the Attorney General’s Trial Advocacy Institute in Washington D.C. Prior to that he received his B.A. degree at UCLA, graduating magna cum laude, and serving as a congressional intern in Washington D.C.
Brittany Singletary is Of Counsel in the firm’s Miami office. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and vehicle negligence.
Ms. Singletary is a Miami native. After graduating from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Coral Reef Senior High School, she received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida International University. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law. Throughout law school, she clerked at a local prominent civil trial firm, and also served as a Fellow at the Children and Youth Law Clinic, where she represented children in foster care and former foster youth in dependency, health care, disability, immigration, and other legal matters. She also clerked at Legal Services of Greater Miami, where she represented low-income tenants to help them avoid homelessness and preserve their housing. Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Singletary practiced at a large Florida corporate insurance defense firm in the areas of wrongful death, premises liability, security negligence, condominium and homeowners’ association law, construction litigation, vehicle negligence, and trucking accident defense.
James Spratt is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office and practices in all courts in California. His primary areas of practice include complex commercial litigation, tort practice in products liability, real property and construction defect.
Mr. Spratt earned his Juris Doctor Certificate from University of La Verne and his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Santa Barbara. While in law school, Mr. Spratt has held numerous legal internships, including Office of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. In Mr. Spratt’s practice, he has held various partner positions with national law firms and has worked for national insurance companies, as staff counsel. He has worked defending national insurance companies in professional negligence, commercial trucking negligence, premises liability and habitability claims.
Mr. Spratt has handled the defense of Property Owners, Landlords, Property Managers, and Homeowners Associations in claims arising out of California Habitability Claims pursuant to compliance with statutory duties under California Civil Code Section 1941.1 and California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3. While the defense of these claims is often challenging in the pro-tenant environment of California law, Partner, James Spratt has displayed skill and expertise in navigating the display of substantial compliance with statutory duties in order to minimize exposure to risks. This is often achieved by a careful analysis of the jurisdictional building code and health & safety code records, in order to achieve favorable results in mediation of these claims. Additionally, Mr. Spratt has engaged some of the best experts in the fields of Property Management and Environmental Science to defend these claims, including Toxicologists, Microbiologists and Medical Doctors specializing in California Mycotoxin, Mold and Environmental Diseases.
Mr. Spratt is active in conservation efforts of Santa Monica Mountains Restoration Trust and enjoys snow skiing and swimming in his spare time. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his German Shepard dog. Mr. Spratt is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Thomas Stevenson is an attorney in Lydecker’s Orlando office where he represents design professionals, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction related disputes, including representation for litigation, mediation, arbitration, contract drafting, and licensure issues. Thomas has experience handling matters from inception to disposition, including appellate matters. Thomas represents these clients throughout the State of Florida.
Thomas also has experience handling cases involving insurance litigation and appellate practice. Thomas has also worked in an advisory role when he was in-house counsel for a loss assessment and engineering company; Thomas was also exposed to collection matters there. Further, Thomas has also represented clients in tax matters and has defended clients against the IRS and Florida Department of Revenue, including pre and post assessment matters and tax court litigation.
Thomas is originally from Wisconsin before starting law school in Orlando, Florida in 2017 where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2019 from Barry School of Law. Thereafter, he earned an LLM in Taxation from the University of Florida, graduating in 2020. Researching case law and articulating it are passions of his. Further, Thomas tends to approach cases from a variety of perspectives to achieve best results for clients.
Ryan Stocks is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. His practice involves civil litigation, with a primary focus on environmental law.
Ryan received his B.B.A. in economics and international business as well as a minor in environmental economics and management from the University of Georgia in 2021. He then received his J.D. and certificate in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Land Use Law at Florida State University College of Law in 2024. While in law school, Ryan held several executive board positions, including vice president, in the Environmental Law Society and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ryan worked as legal intern at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and as a law clerk at a boutique law firm specializing in environmental law. He also previously interned at two other law firms, where he gained experience in residential real estate and personal injury law.
J.W. Webb is a Litigation Partner in the firm’s Orlando office, where he maintains an active trial and civil litigation practice in Federal and State Courts throughout Florida.
Mr. Webb has considerable experience dealing with automobile negligence, arson, medical malpractice, premise liability and product liability cases resulting in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Mr. Webb has also handled cases dealing with bad faith, commercial transaction disputes, construction defects, declaratory actions, land disputes and property damage. He has successfully tried cases in Brevard, Broward, Marion, Orange, Palm Beach, Seminole, and Volusia Counties.
Mr. Webb began his legal career with Hightower and Rudd, P.A. a Miami based insurance defense firm. Shortly after joining the firm, Mr. Webb became the managing attorney of its West Palm Beach office.
After two years in practice, Mr. Webb was invited to join Kubicki Draper, P.A. a State-wide insurance defense firm, where he became a shareholder and was chosen by the firm’s managing partner to start its Orlando Office, which he ran for six years before opening his own law firm.
Mr. Webb has given lectures throughout the country on many subjects during his career. He lectures to insurance carriers on issues ranging from hospital liens and personal injury protection to complicated medial claims and high exposure cases.
Mr. Webb is licensed to practice law in all Florida State Courts and the . He has also served as a Guardian ad Litem for children in the Central Florida area.
Mr. Webb graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1989 with a B.A. in business and a concentration in economics. Before going to law school Mr. Webb worked in the business world for a number of years managing companies in Texas, California, Illinois, and Florida.
Mr. Webb returned to his home state of Michigan to obtain his Juris Doctorate – Cum Laude, from Michigan State University. While attending law school, Mr. Webb served as Managing Editor of Business and Production for the Michigan State Law Review, as an intern for United States Federal District Judge Gerald E. Rose, and as a law clerk for the Department of Justice: United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan. During his tenure with the Department of Justice, under the internship section of the program, Mr. Webb functioned as lead counsel for the prosecution and trial of numerous misdemeanor cases.
As a trial attorney for Lydecker’s Environmental Mass Tort, Product Liability Department and General Liability Department, Ronn has tried in excess of sixty (60) jury trials as lead trial counsel with an outstanding record of success.
Ronn had been practicing for less than four years when he tried his first jury trial which involved a collision between an automobile and a 12 year old cyclist with claims of traumatically induced epilepsy. Through a detailed cross-examination of the plaintiff, Ronn was able to prove that she had ridden her bicycle outside of the crosswalk in an attempt to beat the signal light. The jury returned a verdict of less than $14,000 after plaintiff’s counsel demanded $350,000.
Ronn was also retained by a major grocery store chain headquartered in Southern California to defend them and their truck driver whose tractor trailer rig collided with a cherry picker lift occupied by a worker who was replacing traffic signs. The worker fell almost 20 feet and suffered several facial and skull fractures. After a six and one half week trial, plaintiff’s counsel requested a verdict of $1,000,000. The jury returned a verdict for $1,000 less than the pre-trial offer made by Ronn’s client.
Ronn was admitted pro hac vice in the State of Arizona to defend a major supplier to the world’s larger fast food restaurant and successfully defended his client against claims of wrongful termination and racial discrimination.
While working in the City Attorney’s office of a major public entity, Ronn was re-assigned to an adverse liability major injury case six weeks prior to trial. Plaintiff alleged the defendant’s law enforcement vehicle ran a red light, violating his right of way. He suffered severe neck and back injuries with past surgeries to both his neck and back, with allegations of future back surgery being necessary. Plaintiff’s counsel demanded $15,000,000 after a four week jury trial. Although the jury found no negligence on the part of the plaintiff, they only awarded him slightly more than the defendant’s $1,000,000 pre-trial offer.
Most recently, Ronn obtained a 12-0 defense jury verdict in a breach of warranty of habitability case.
