Building Design Consultants: 16

Jeffrey Phillip Weinstein, AIA, a California licensed Architect and Construction Project Manager since 1982, with a Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from USC, is actively involved with development, design and construction management. Mr. Weinstein provides preconstruction (entitlements, plans, permits) through on-site construction administration services (change order analysis, cost evaluation) on a wide range of building types. 

Expertise: Mr. Weinstein has extensive experience in real estate development, acquiring government approvals, entitlements and permits, architect's standard of care, construction management, claims & defects, and A/E/C agreements. His expertise includes scope of services and design fees, zoning and building codes, errors/omissions, construction defects, destructive testing and repairs. 

Previous positions include Director of Operations, Preconstruction Director, Senior Project Manager, Construction Manager and Administrator for Nadel and Callison Architects, Tishman Construction, Trammel Crow Company, California State University and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.

 Project Experience: Mr. Weinstein's project experience includes high-rise residential and mixed-use developments, multi-family residential podium-type apartments and condominiums, retail, big box, neighborhood shopping centers and regional malls, corporate and tenant improvements, hospitality including wineries and breweries, themed resorts and casinos, K-12 and university buildings, hospitals and medical facilities, custom and production homes. 

Professional Licenses / Certifications / Affiliations:

• California Registered Architect, License #12822
• AIA Certified in Construction Management, Contract Administration and Specifications
• Member, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Construction Specification Institute
• Member, North Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review

Professional Services Include:

• Architectural, Engineering and Construction (A/E/C) Project Management
• Owner’s Representative / Real Estate Development / LEED Design-Build
• Director of Operations and Pre-Construction Services / Construction Administrator
• Forensic Architect / Construction Expert Witness

View Jeffrey Weinstein's Expert Witness Profile.

Sunset Consultants is an Architectural and Engineering Management firm that provides professional strategic planning and management consulting services for various entities, including those that need help with planning or architectural projects. Sunset's clients include well-established design firms and new professionals learning the basics of running an independent business. Sunset provides the following services:

Principal, David J. Brotman, FAIA, is an accomplished Senior Executive with a proven career and solid experience in all aspects of Architectural and Engineering Firm Management. Mr. Brotman's skills include all facets of Architectural Practice. His worldwide, multi-million dollar project experience includes retail, office, hotel, institutional, and mixed-use. 

Mr. Brotman has a successful track record and expert qualifications in improving quality of work, market share, delivering strong revenue, and profit gains. His experience encompasses start-up, turnaround, high-growth, and multi-national operations. David Brotman holds a reputation among colleagues, subordinates, and associates for creative imagination, vision, team building, and leadership skills. He specializes in envisioning an end-result, then leading a management team to realize that result with marked improvements along the way.

 View David Brotman's Expert Witness Profile.

Rieser Building Group is a leading builder, engineer, architect, and forensic team with over 25 years of experience in management, design, and construction of over 4,000 units. These units range from custom homes, commercial buildings, and developments, to public works like Caltrans and BART construction, and roadway improvements (over 500 miles). With a full breadth of professional development services, they manage all aspects of a project, from entitlements to design to warranty.

Building Services - Design in-house, or, as licensed engineering and construction professionals, Rieser Building Group can manage an outside team of architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, and landscape architects.

Engineering and Design Services - Spearheaded by a professional Engineering & Architectural team, Rieser provides innovative designs and timely approvals in custom homes, commercial buildings, apartments, large developments, structures, topo-mapping, hydraulics, traffic engineering, and transportation engineering.

Development Services - Developing single custom-built home or a multiphase project, Rieser will expedite the development process, establish a joint venture to share costs, or purchase the project. In addition to flexible management, they conduct property feasibility studies to calculate the right mix of homes and maximize ROI. 

Mark E. Rieser, II, MS, PE, AIA, GBC, GEC, has over 30 years of experience in the Construction and Building Design industry. He provides his clients with a comprehensive knowledge of Construction Technology and Construction Standards of Professional Practice. Background Experience - President of an active Design / Build company, Mr. Rieser has managed, designed, and constructed over 4,000 units to include high-rise, single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, podiums, apartments, and commercial buildings, His experience includes construction, management, and design of over 500 miles of asphalt and roadway improvements, tunnels, San Francisco Airport, Santa Clara Light Rail, Southern Pacific Railroad, Caltrain, and BART. Mr. Rieser has an insightful understanding of Civil / Structural Engineering, Soil Engineering, Transportation / Traffic Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Architectural Design, Asphalt Design, Cost Estimation, Public Works Design Bidding and Estimation, General Engineering, General Building, and an Accident Reconstruction expert.

View Mark Rieser's Expert Witness Profile.

Independent system-level evaluation, failure analysis, and lifecycle assessment of fall protection and access systems (design, manufacturing, installation, and operation)

Summary

Rauch Safety & Engineering operates as an independent engineering authority focused on fall protection systems, façade access systems (including Building Maintenance Units – BMUs), and permanent access infrastructure.

Engagements occur in complex, high-consequence environments where system performance, lifecycle conditions, and alignment between design, manufacturing, installation, and operational use directly impact safety, liability, and asset integrity.

RSE is engaged to evaluate system conditions, discrepancies, and performance across the full lifecycle, particularly where misalignment exists between design intent and real-world execution.

Scope includes:

• Design intent and engineering integration 
• Manufacturing constraints and system configuration 
• Installation and commissioning conditions 
• Operational performance and lifecycle exposure

RSE does not perform construction, installation, maintenance, or operational services, and does not act as a contractor or project manager. All work is conducted as an independent, non-operational authority focused on system-level evaluation.

Engagement is typically driven by complexity, ambiguity, or conditions where standard project delivery does not resolve system-level risk.

Principal Areas of Specialization:

• Fall Protection Systems — system performance, configuration, and failure conditions
• Façade Access Systems (BMU) — design alignment, installation conditions, operational performance
•  Suspended Access Systems — system behavior and lifecycle conditions
• Permanent Access Infrastructure — anchors, lifelines, integrated access systems
• Design vs. Installation Discrepancy Analysis
• System Failure & Performance Analysis
• Commissioning Condition Review (non-operational)
• Lifecycle Condition Evaluation
• OSHA / ANSI / IWCA Standards Interpretation
• Independent System Review across full lifecycle

System-Specific Focus :

Building Maintenance Units (BMU) & Facade Access Systems

• Design intent vs. building integration
• Installation alignment with system specifications
• Commissioning conditions and readiness
• Discrepancies between manufactured and installed systems
• Operational and lifecycle performance conditions

Custom & Specialized Access Systems

• Non-standard or project-specific system configurations
• Design integration and manufacturing constraints
• Installation alignment and system behavior in operation

Lifeline & Anchor Systems

• System configuration and structural integration
• Installation conditions relative to design and standards
• Performance, loading conditions, and lifecycle exposure

Infrastructure Environments 

RSE engages across infrastructure environments where fall protection and access systems are critical to ongoing operation and asset integrity:

• High-rise and commercial buildings
•  Airports and transportation infrastructure
• Industrial facilities and processing plants
• Power generation and transmission infrastructure
• Bridges and specialized structural systems
• Mining and heavy industrial environments
• Marine and shipping infrastructure
• Towers and vertical access structures

Professional Associations

• Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)
• Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP ASE)
• National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)

View Rauch Safety and Engineering's Expert Witness Profile.

As an arbitrator, structural/civil engineer, and expert forensic consultant with nearly four decades of experience, Casey Hemmatyar has provided extensive expert services for defendants’ and plaintiffs’ attorneys on numerous construction litigation matters throughout the United States and Canada.

He has been retained as an expert engineer in over one hundred litigation matters on single and class-action legal cases by the U.S. government, law firms, and insurance carriers at the State and Federal levels, working with both plaintiff and defendant sides.

A partial list of litigation cases is available upon request. His understanding of core engineering and legal concepts has enabled him to assist a wide range of clientele effectively. He brings diversified experience in structural and civil engineering design and forensic engineering, investigation, and evaluation.

He also conducts research, has assisted in the development of building codes and standards, and has supervised the construction of domestic and international projects. His experience includes special structures and new buildings as well as modifications, alterations, seismic/hurricane retrofits, and upgrades to existing structures. He has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, and damage assessment services for numerous litigation and insurance-related matters.

He actively presents continuing education lectures to audiences of licensed engineers, architects, and general contractors on topics of structural and forensic engineering throughout North America. Mr. Hemmatyar has been the principal structural engineer on high-profile projects for prestigious clients, including NASA and other notable organizations.  Currently, he directs PSFEG and has served as Director for SEAOSC from 2011 to 2013.

His work encompasses a diverse range of structures, including hospitals,  educational institutions (including schools and universities), telecommunication centers, aviation facilities, government buildings, laboratories, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential structures.

Isaak Technologies provides expert witness, consulting & training services in the areas of design, construction, procurement, implementation, commissioning and operations of information technology, telecommunications, network systems and critical data center facilities. Isaak Technologies provides clear solutions to complex challenges using best-practice forecasting, strategy & risk mitigation. 

Philip J. Isaak, PE, P.Eng., DCDC, RCDD, SMIEEE, has over 20 years of experience as a design & operations consultant & training provider, with a focus in the information technology, telecommunications & critical data center facility industries. 

In recognition of Mr. Isaak’s professional standing, the Officers & Board of Directors of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association for advancement of technology, certified his election to the grade of Senior Member, a level only 9% of IEEE’s over 400,000 global members hold. 

Professional Services:

View Philip Isaak's Expert Witness Profile.

Dennis E. Wilson has over forty years of experience in Land Planning, Civil Engineering, and Land Surveying. His company, Horizon Consulting Service, specializes in Entitlements, In-Fill Projects, Civil Engineering, and Land Planning and Design for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Mr. Wilson works on both private and governmental projects. As an Expert Witness, Mr. Wilson has participated in property line disputes, condemnation resolutions and land use issues. 

Professional Memberships:

• American Planning Association
• Past Chair of Land Use Committee, National Association of Home Builders
• Past Chair Land Use & Government Affairs, California Building Industry Association
• Past Chair of BIACC PAC
• Past Chair/Current Member on Land Use & Transportation Committee, Modesto Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Fari Barzegar is a Licensed Engineer with 37 years of experience in Civil and Structural Engineering & Construction Forensics, Construction Project Management, university teaching/research. He has been an Expert Consultant / Witness in over 100-cases.

Litigation-Support Consulting Expert Witness with testimony and trial experience. Has been retained by insurance companies, law firms, construction, energy, mining, technology & manufacturing industries, governmental & educational institutions, engineering and architectural firms, property owners and individuals. Consultant in both plaintiff and defendant cases.

• Insurance & Surety Claims, Peer Reviews
• Buildings, Structures & Materials: Residential, Commercial, Institutional, Historic Structures; Bridges, Towers, Stacks/Chimneys, Containment Vessels, Tanks, Grain Silos, Conduits & Pipelines, Retaining Walls, Foundations, Slabs & Pavements; Concrete, Steel, FRP Composites, Wood, CMU, Brick Masonry & Adobe
• Design / Construction / Integrity issues, Seismic Resistant Design; Errors & Omissions;Standards of Care; Repair & Retrofit Design Documents
• Construction Defects & Accidents; Defective Concrete; OSHA Standards, Excavations / Trenching / Scaffolds
• Slip/Trip/Fall, Code Compliance
• Damage & Failure Investigation; Due Diligence; Non-Destructive Testing 
• Explosion, Impact, Earthquake, Wind, Fire, Hurricane & Flood Damage Inspections / Analysis/Report
• Pile Driving & Demolition Damage to Adjacent Facilities: Vibrations, Cracking / Settlement
• Dynamic, Fracture, Thermal & Finite Element Stress Analysis; Product Design; Failure Simulation / Reconstruction
• Intellectual Property & Patent Infringement

Roger W. Griffith, PE, has over 37 years of professional experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the design, maintenance, and operation of mechanical systems. He specializes in the areas of Plumbing, HVAC, and Fire Sprinkler Systems Design.

Background - As the principal of Griffith Engineering & Consulting for 23 years, his design experience with commercial and industrial projects include convention centers, schools, office buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels, churches, manufacturing facilities, medical buildings, restaurants, historic buildings, dormitories, fire halls, and maintenance facilities. Prior to that, Mr. Griffith worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a mechanical engineer for 14 years. 

His roles at TVA included nuclear piping analyst, valve and heat exchanger specialist, maintenance engineer, and later maintenance supervisor at a fossil plant, and quality manager. His engineering roles included failure analysis of plant equipment. He also taught many courses on the subject of problem-solving and failure analysis for company employees.

Consulting Services:

View Roger W. Griffith's Expert Witness Profile.

• Structures, Buildings, Houses, Dwellings
• Foundations, Footings, Elevators, Retaining Walls, Dams
• Development Plan & Plats for Sites, Properties, and Residences
• Underground & Subsurface Chamber / Chambers
• Scaffold, Scaffolds, Scaffolding
• Site Plans & Subdivisions: Industrial, Commercial, Residential
• Roads, Roadways, Ramps, Walks, & Man Hole Cover / Covers
• Sidewalks, Walkways, Paths & Pathways
• Lighting: Lamps, Lights, Lamp Poles, Light Levels
• Luminaries & Illumination (Specifications)
• Rock Cuts & Blasting (Topography, Specification)
• Soil Slopes / Samples / Mechanics / Geotechnical Engineers
• Sanitary Facilities, Septic Systems (Board of Health Septics Approval)
• BOHA / DEP Approvals
• Water, Drains, Drainage, Sewer & Sewage Lines & Mains
• Culvert / Culverts, Manholes (Man Holes) & Catchbasins / Catch Basins
• Inspection, Supervision, and Certification of Construction
• House Inspector & Inspections
• Road, Roadway, Walk & Sidewalk Premises Liability (e.g., Steep Slope)
• Walkway, Path, Ramp & Pathway Premise Liability (e.g., Steep Grade)
• Coefficient of Friction / Slip & Fall (Snowy & Icy Conditions)
• Vertical Discontinuity / Discontinuities / Trip & Falls
• Small Ports / Port, Marinas / Marina, Marine Dredging
• Levees, Jetties, Dolphins, Piers, Sea & Flood Walls
• Wharves, Breakwaters, Bulkheads, Weirs, & Revetments
• Groins, Dikes and Waterfront Structures
• Drainage Basin Analysis, Rainfall, Floods & Flood Plain / Plains
• Flooding Controls & Control Devices
• Storm Water Runoff (10, 25, 50 & 100 Year Storms)
• Pressure & Pressures: Wind, Wave / Waves, Ice, Snow
• Rain Fall Run Off & Storm Water Pollution Treatment
• Excavation, Grading, Fills & Filling Operations (Swales, Berms, Silt Fence)
• Erosion Control, Sediment Barriers, Sedimentation / Catch Basins (Hay Bales)
• Pumps and Pump System Line & Main
• Slope, Dam, Levee, Jetty, Dolphin, Pier, Wharf & Breakwater Collapse
• Bulkhead, Weir, Revetment, Groin, Dike, Footing & Foundation Failures
• Failure of Fire Containment Wall, Elevator or Water Front Structure
• Tenement House Façade Collapses
• Code History of Existing Multiple / Multi-Family Dwelling / Building
• Application of Municipal Building, Fire & Property Maintenance Codes
• City, Town & Village Zoning, Planning, Steep Slopes & Grades, Wetland & Wetlands Ordinances
• Testimony at Board Meetings as a Design Forensics Engineer

Dmorris.consulting Freelance Consulting provides Corporate services to the Construction industry. Principal, David Morris, has over 30 years of deep understanding and hands on experience of Construction and Construction Processes that give him a unique perspective in the industry.

Select Background Experience:

• Prior to founding DMorris.consulting, Mr. Morris served as Director of Virtual Construction for EMCOR Construction Services from 2008-2016. In this role, he directed the virtual construction activities and operations of 82 EMCOR companies. His scope of work included drafting contract language for BIM and pre-construction, setting up new projects in lean and BIM delivery methods, and reviewing new construction technologies among other duties.
• From 2001-2008, Mr. Morris worked with University Mechanical and Engineering Contractors as Director of Virtual Construction. He was responsible for estimating Plumbing, HVAC Piping and Process Piping for numerous research laboratories and healthcare facilities valued at over 100mm + each. He also delivered conceptual estimates for numerous Biotech, Power, and Co-Generation plants.
• Select Project Participation: San Joaquin County Hospital, City of Gilroy Waste Water Reclamation Plant, Shafter Prison, Vandenberg Air Force Base HVAC Replacement, Space Shuttle Launch Complex Project, Tehachapi State Prison Level-4 High Security Prison Housing, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Co-Gen Facility, Kern Medical Center New Hospital Wing Expansion, Anheuser Busch Yeast Plant Expansion, and multiple Piping, Petrochemical, Hospital, and School projects.

Business Consulting Services:

*This Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Systems (MEP) Spatial Coordination Requirements for Construction Installation Models and Deliverables is a derivative work of a best practice guideline written by David Morris in 2003 and modified for the AGC BIMForum in 2009. It is the result of capturing ten years of practical methods on real world construction projects and reflects continual feedback and improvement gained from that process.

View David Morris' Expert Witness Profile.

DM Bekus Construction is a New Jersey Home Design, Construction, and Remodeling Contractor. For over 30 years they've been helping homeowners throughout the area improve properties and build homes. DM Bekus Construction delivers high quality, reliable construction services that help homeowners get more pleasure and enjoyment from their homes and buildings.

Services Include:

Principal, David M. Bekus has over 35 years in the Construction Industry specializing in home design, construction, and remodeling. He offers services to homeowner associations, housing communities, townhome complexes, property managers, and individuals. Mr. Bekus is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a building inspector (RCS, ICS, and HHS), a licensed home remodeler, and a licensed new home builder. He is also certified in Project Management, Cost Estimating, Construction Methods, Construction Site Safety, and is a EPA Lead Safe Certified Contractor. Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. He has designed and built over 100 custom homes.

View David Bekus' Expert Witness Profile.

Construction Strategies provides a complete range of Construction and Construction Consulting services. They offer pre-construction services for owners considering future projects who need assistance in evaluating the feasibility and conceptual costs. Construction Strategies also offers post construction services for owners who are facing close out problems including conflict resolution, mediation assistance, close out service completion, punch lists, and warranty assistance.

Principal, Sanford C. Loy , CCM, B.Arch, MSCE, has over 40 years of experience in the Construction Industry. Mr. Loy has Degrees in Architecture and Engineering. A Certified Construction Manager (CCM), he is committed to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice established by the Construction Management Association of America. CCM is the ANSI accredited professional designation for construction management and is the gold standard for CM service providers in over 145 countries.

Background Experience - Mr. Loy's experience spans virtually every type of building and design process. His strength centers on his understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the various trades and professions unique to every building project. He has experience with Construction Management at Risk, Construction Management Agency, Design-build, and Design-bid-build. Having successfully managed the completion of over one billion dollars of construction, Mr. Loy served as a Regional Engineer for the American Institute of Steel Construction and as Director of Construction and Development for Belz Enterprises, the largest development company in Tennessee, before founding Construction Strategies in 1988.

See more at our website: https://www.construction-strategies.com

View Sanford Loy's Expert Witness Profile.

CivTek International is an Infrastructure Solutions, Program Management and Multi-Disciplined Life-Cycle Integrator. CivTek focuses on core industries and infrastructure fundamental to the economic and physical health and well-being of all societies: Energy, Water, Air, Agriculture, Transportation, Waste Management, Telecommunications, Internet, and Ancillary Technologies necessary to more efficiently deliver and operate these industries in an environmentally friendly, safe and profitable manner.

CivTek International now has roughly $50 billion in pre-feasibility studies in estimated capital costs projects as a result of national and international relationships and exclusive agreements CivTek International holds in various infrastructure and transportation technologies. They have signed 50-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Agreements with national governments of emerging economies.

CivTek International provides expert assessment, advice, guidance, opinion, contracting, construction support, program management and design services to leaders in government, industry and the legal community. They address major challenges in complex cultural settings, environmental, economic, legislative or forensic consequence in programs and projects relating to capital infrastructure in transportation, green sustainable environmental solutions, energy, oil & gas, and industrial facilities.

Clients have included Leadership of Domestic and International Industry, CEO's and Corporate Leadership, Banks, Financial Institutions and Investors, Risk Management and Insurance Industry Leaders, Attorneys, Legislators, Heads of State, and Heads of Departments and Ministries.

CivTek Capabilities:

Principal, Thomas J. Young, PE, has over 37 years of experience in national and international Transportation Construction, the Civil Engineering specialty regarding highways, bridges, rail, airports, harbors, and associated infrastructure.

Mr. Young is a skilled integrator of the parameters of program and project life cycles, leadership, management, business operations, engineering and construction. He has extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, environmental processes, industry standards, best practices, and field operations in urban and remote areas.

Mr. Young has broad construction management and design background for many of the knowledge and skill areas required in mining operations, bridges, highways, land development, major soil/structure type facilities, land survey, and construction surveying, including work in Arctic facilities and in desert regions.

View Thomas J. Young's Expert Witness Profile.

Architectural Forensic Consultants is a team of highly skilled professionals committed to delivering exceptional services in Architectural Forensics. With over 50 years of combined professional experience throughout the US, they offer a range of expert witness, building-related claim defense, building enclosure commissioning, architectural review consulting, and due diligence actions for property acquisition. Let us provide the expertise you need to ensure your projects

With years of experience and a team of experts who are actively practicing Architects with current AIA, NCARB, BECxP, and CSI accreditations, they provide top-notch analysis and reporting to help clients make informed decisions about your particular project.

Consulting Services:

• Building Enclosure Commissioning - Provides a framework for working with the architectural design and construction teams to help provide an optimized building enclosure that successfully performs and meets the Owner's Project Requirements. Includes providing construction document review, preconstruction meetings coordination, construction monitoring and performance testing of building enclosure components and systems to evaluate its resistance to water and air infiltration.
• Architectural Review- Provides expert outside review and consultation to Town or City Architectural Review Board members. Offer architectural standard reviews to help convey client needs and requests to architects and developers, streamlining your architectural review processes.
• Property Conditions Assessments- Commercial property and building assessments (also known as Property Condition Assessments or PCA's) are important for clients seeking to know the condition of a property or real estate they may be purchasing, leasing, financing or simply maintaining. PCAs identify deficiencies and can provide building users with a Capital Needs Plan.

Dan Weekes, AIA, NCARB, BECxP, CxA+BE, has over 25 years of Architectural and Engineering Building Envelope and consulting project management as well as litigation and deposition proceedings. As a licensed Architect, Mr. Weekes has experience with the design of new facilities and the implementation of repair programs to existing residential, commercial, and institutional facilities. He takes a common sense approach to design and focuses on optimizing building performance.

Mr. Weekes' goal is to Identify why buildings and structures in today's industry begin to fail well before they should, and provide consultation in the way of review, evaluation and testing during the construction process to greatly improve the overall performance of a particular project.

Jim Stutzman, AIA, NCARB, CSI, has over 45 years of exceptional Building Construction and Investigative Design work with an emphasis on expert litigation cases and design coordination.

Mr. Stutzman is an architectural forensic consulting and expert witness relating to the performance, failures, safety and hazards, code compliance, professional practice and construction contractual procedures for commercial, industrial and residential architectural projects and the contractual building process.

Forensic consulting services are focused on defense attorneys, insurance companies, financial institutions, developers, municipalities, and private clients. Mr. Stutzman has 32 years of experience as a Forensic Architect providing forensic analysis of building related claims and standard of care issues

View Architectural Forensics Consultants' Expert Witness Profile.