Building Envelope Expert Witnesses

Jeffrey Phillip Weinstein, AIA, a California licensed Architect since 1982, with Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from USC, has been involved in the development, design and construction of office buildings, high-rise condominiums, multi-family residential podium-type projects, retail, neighborhood shopping centers and regional malls, hotels and resorts, hospitals, and schools (K-12 and University).

Expert in real estate development, government approvals, entitlements & permits, architect's standard of care, construction management, claims & defects, A/E/C agreements. Expertise includes building envelope & water intrusion, zoning & building codes, errors/omissions, destructive testing & repair, schools (DSA), hospitals (OSHPD), condominiums, commercial/retail/mixed-use projects, high-rise structures, hotels & resorts. Previous employers include Nadel and Callison Architects, Tishman Construction, Trammel Crow Company, Kaiser Permanente, and California State University.

Professional Licenses / Certifications / Affiliations:

• California Registered Architect, License #12822
• Member, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Construction Specification Institute, and Society for Marketing Professional Services
• Member, North Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review

Litigation Support: Jeffrey Weinstein has been retained as an expert witness as Owner's Representative, Construction Manager, Contract Administrator, Project Manager and Architect by Developers, Builders, Institutional Owners (Hospitals & Schools), Municipalities, and Corporate Clients. Mr. Weinstein provides professional Architectural and Construction Expert Witness opinion, testimony and services on matters, such as:

Architectural Forensic Architectural Construction Management Building Code Requirements Construction Industry Standards Professional Standard of Care Design Defects, Errors & Omissions

Construction Defects & Failures Architectural Practice & Peer Review Construction Claim Evaluation Change Order Analysis & Cost Overruns Zoning Entitlements, Land-Use, and Permitting Project Delivery - Fast-Track, Design-Build, GMP Design & Construction Accident Claims

View Jeffrey P. Weinstein's Consulting Profile.

Early case technical evaluation and expert witness services for counsel in fall protection, facade access (BMU), suspended and permanent access system matters (U.S. and International)

SUMMARY

Uwe M. Janssen, Founder & Principal of Rauch Safety & Engineering (RSE), serves as a consulting and testifying expert in matters involving fall protection, façade access (including Building Maintenance Units, BMUs), suspended access, permanent access, rigging, and rescue systems.

Mr. Janssen brings more than four decades of field and assessment experience with these systems on landmark and high-consequence assets in the United States and internationally. He has been retained by counsel on approximately 30 matters, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. He is the author of the Integrated Design Guide for Work-at-Height & Access Systems (Edition 3, 2026).

Most experts enter a matter after counsel has decided it needs one. Mr. Janssen can also be brought in earlier, before designation, to test whether the technical position warrants moving forward. Counsel can then retain him as the testifying expert under a separate engagement, or retain someone else.

Early Case Technical Evaluation (Pre-Designation): Review of the incident record, drawings and submittals, commissioning and inspection history, and the opposing theory. The evaluation assesses whether the claim, the defense, or the opposing position is technically supported by the available record. For plaintiff counsel, it is a technical screen before investing in a case. For defense counsel and carriers, it is an early read on exposure and on which parties' work the record implicates. The evaluation is a complete engagement on its own, with no obligation to retain Mr. Janssen as the testifying expert.

Consulting Support Through Discovery and Settlement: Document-request and inspection planning, site or equipment inspection, review of opposing expert reports, deposition questions for opposing experts, and technical preparation for mediation and settlement.

Designated Expert: Expert and rebuttal reports, deposition, and trial or arbitration testimony.

RSE does not manufacture, sell, install, maintain, or service equipment, and does not act as a contractor or project manager. Its role in a matter is independent technical evaluation only. RSE does not provide opinions that require a licensed professional engineer's seal, and it says so at the outset where a matter needs one.

Plaintiff or defense. U.S. and international matters.

KEY SERVICES

• Early Case Technical Evaluation (Pre-Designation)
• Expert Witness Services: Reports, Rebuttal Reports, Deposition and Trial Testimony
• Review and Rebuttal of Opposing Expert Reports 
• Failure Analysis: Fall Protection and Access Systems
• BMU / Façade Access System Review
• Suspended and Permanent Access System Evaluation
• Construction Defect and System Performance Analysis
• Design vs. Installation Discrepancy Analysis
• Commissioning, Turnover and Acceptance Disputes
• Inspection, Maintenance and Recertification Lapses
• OSHA / ANSI / IWCA Standards Interpretation (as applicable to fall protection and access systems)

POSITIONING STATEMENT

Most fall-protection and access-system matters settle well before trial, and the technical position (whether the system failed, why, and where responsibility lies) drives case valuation and settlement posture. Mr. Janssen can be brought in at intake, when an opposing theory or expert report arrives, or ahead of the designation deadline.

Areas of Expertise:

Fall Protection Systems Failure Façade Access Systems Failure Building Maintenance Units (BMU) Failure Suspended Access Systems Failure Permanent Access Systems Roof Anchor Systems Failure Lifeline Systems Failure Suspended Platform Failure Construction Safety Failure Building Maintenance Accident Construction Defect Analysis Construction Dispute Support Design vs Installation Discrepancies

System Performance Failure Infrastructure Access System Failures Access System Commissioning Issues Installation vs Design Intent Conflict Contractor Responsibility Analysis OEM Responsibility Analysis OSHA Compliance Review ANSI Standards / IWCA Standards Failure Analysis Construction Systems Mechanical Building Systems Lifecycle System Analysis Commissioning Review Maintenance Conditions

View Rauch Safety and Engineering's Consulting Profile.

Kiwesa King, PE, CCM, DBIA, PMP, is a construction management consultant and expert witness with nearly 30 years of experience in the vertical construction market. She is a Licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Construction Manager and Trainer.

Ms. King has managed a range of projects, including restorations, renovations, and ground-up construction. Throughout her career, she has served as an engineer, mechanical subcontractor, general contractor, and construction manager. 

Ms. King leads Expanded Resources LLC, a New York City-based construction management consulting firm. She teaches graduate and continuing education courses in Construction Management at Fordham University and New York University. 

Litigation Support - Ms. King provides expert opinions for cases involving:

Construction Standard of Care Construction Documents Construction Management Best Practices Construction Administration Premises Liability

Property Damage Construction Business Practices Construction Coordination Contract Changes Fire Protection Systems

Degrees and Certifications:

• New York State Licensed Professional Engineer
• Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Licensed Site Safety Manager by the New York City Department of Buildings
• Certificate of Competence as a Master Fire Suppression Contractor by the New York City Department of Buildings
• Certified as a Construction Manager by the Construction Management Association of America
• Designated Design-Build Professional from the Design-Build Institute of America
• Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute

View Expanded Resources LLC's Consulting Profile.

Douglas F. Korves, AIA, is a thoroughly experienced expert Architect in all phases of complex project design and planning from transportation, commercial, and residential development. He is a licensed Architect NY/NJ, real estate professional, expert witness, forensic architect, project manager and owners' representative. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Korves has 35 years of experience in leading architectural, interior and retail design firms and all practice areas and project types. He has more than 45 claim disputes or forensic cases of asset evaluation, owners' representation, insurance recovery.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction Contracts Dispute Resolution Project Design Issues

Project Damage Evaluation Real Estate Pre-Development Planning, Zoning, Analysis

 Background Experience - Project manager / senior facilities position for transportation - airport authority, architectural, institutional, corporate, construction manager, owners' representative or owner / builder / development entity.

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. Having worked in many roles, Mr. Morris has the ability to formulate conclusions based on practical experience. Staying abreast of new technologies, he is able to apply them to outdated construction processes.

Mr. Morris has welding certifications in nearly all processes (MIG, TIG, Stick) and most materials, (Carbon Steel, Various grades of Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Chrome,). He has extensive experience in Instrumentation, Controls, Building automation Systems, HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing Codes and Design, Drafting and Detailing, layout and quantity take-off, medical gas installation, Plumbing and Piping Detailing, Computer Aided Drafting, and BIM

Litigation Support - Mr. Morris serves as an expert witness for attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant.  Cases include:

Construction Scheduling Root Cause Analysis Construction Defects and Delays Planning, Designing, Managing Construction

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Coordination (MEP) Building Information Modelling (BIM) Computer Aided Drafting Initial Design, Construction, Operations, Maintenance

Select Background Mr. Morris served as Director of Virtual Construction for EMCOR Construction Services from 2008-2016. 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.

*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 Dmorris.consulting's Business ConsultingProfile.

David M. Bekus has over 40 years in the Construction Industry specializing in new home construction, and remodeling. Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. 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.

Litigation Support - As a seasoned expert in the construction field, Mr. Bekus provides comprehensive reports  and credible expert witness testimony. His services include project evaluations, building code inspections, and clear precisely written reports. Mr. Bekus' expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant and has testified in NJ superior court.

Areas of Expertise:

Industry Standards Building Code Compliance, Specifications Contract and Plan Specifications New Construction Defects Roof Issues Water Issues

Framing Defects Siding Defects Concrete Defects Insurance Claims Poor Workmanship Home Owner Association Issues

View David Bekus' Consulting Profile.

Joe Scerbo is a distinguished expert witness, construction consultant, and construction management advisor with over 36 years of experience in the construction industry. As a licensed General, Electrical, and HVAC Contractor in California for 25 years, Mr. Scerbo has cultivated specialized expertise in Building Envelope, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems. His extensive background includes significant experience in mechanical systems, heating & cooling systems, ventilation, solar energy systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), generators, and design-build projects.

Litigation Support - Mr. Scerbo and his team at Danliv provide comprehensive forensic consulting and litigation support services for all things related to Construction Defects, Standard of Care Issues, Non-conforming of Contractors Licensing Laws, and Cost of Repairs. Serving defense and plaintiff attorneys, insurance companies, and government agencies across the United States. Mr. Scerbo has been disclosed as a designated expert on numerous cases and consulted on over thirty cases for advice as well as field investigations, document evidence evaluation, and material findings. 

Areas of Expertise:

General Construction Framing Building Envelope Mechanical Electrical Commercial Residential HVAC Fire Sprinkler Generators

MEP Solar Fire Gas Hybrid Water Heaters Contract Scope Cost to Repair Industrial Controls Electrocutions Plumbing

Mr. Scerbo brings extensive expertise across multiple sectors, including single-family, multifamily, hospitality, commercial construction, renewable energy, and utility-scale infrastructure projects. Well-versed in framing, flashing, metal and composite roofing, concrete, exterior cladding systems such as Portland Cement Stucco, underground construction, MEP issues and opines on standard of care for contractors, construction managers, inspection companies and specialty sub-contractor services. He has hired and supervised engineering and design teams for Design-Build projects and Construction Defect cases, ensuring precision and compliance.

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.

Litigation Support - Mr. Loy provides Construction Claim and Dispute Analysis services, with special expertise in Concrete Design and Design-Build. Having been a teacher of many of the principles and processes used in the industry he knows how to explain the difficult technical aspects of the information and analysis in a way which makes the facts understandable and believable to opposing counsel, insurance companies, judges, and juries. Mr. Loy has experience and provides assistance with various dispute resolution approaches, such as Owner / Contractor dispute resolution boards, arbitration, mediation, and provides expert witness testimony if necessary.

See services offered at https://www.construction-strategies.com/what-we-do 

View Sanford Loy's Consulting Profile.

Architectural Forensics Consulting is a team of highly skilled professionals is committed to delivering exceptional services in Architectural Forensics. They are a trusted forensic and consulting company with over 50 years of combined professional experience throughout the US. ArchiForensics offers a range of expert witness, building-related claim defense, building enclosure commissioning, architectural review consulting, and due diligence actions for property acquisition.

Litigation Support - Architectural Forensics Consulting opines on professional practice issues, Architect’s standard of care, contract dispute, breech of duty, and other practice areas often encountered in claims involving the Architect’s performance or construction related issues. 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 their particular case or project.

Areas of Expertise:

Building Design and Construction Architectural Review Construction Defects Building Enclosure Failure Property Condition Assessments ADA Evaluations Water Infiltration

Roof Failure Window Failure Microbial Growth / Mold Failure Analysis Slip Trip & Fall Moisture / Condensation Issues Flood Damage, Building Inspection

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.

Mr. Weekes is responsible for many different types of investigations, forensic evaluations, and providing consulting services surrounding all areas of building design and construction. His focus is serving as an expert witness, building enclosure evaluations and commissioning, water infiltration investigations, architectural review consulting, property condition assessments, ADA evaluations, and construction administration services associated with construction and design.

As a licensed Architect, he also has experience with the design of new facilities and the implementation of repair programs to existing residential, commercial, and institutional facilities.

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 a Forensic Architect providing forensic analysis of building related claims, moisture intrusion claims, component problem and failure analysis, standard of care evaluation, dispute resolution, construction products liability, investigative analysis, reconstruction, cost-impact analysis and supporting documentation, timelines, and exhibits supporting claims for losses and remedy determination in courtroom and private settlements.

Forensic consulting services are focused on defense attorneys, insurance companies, financial institutions, developers, municipalities, and private clients.

View Architectural Forensic Consultants Business Consulting Profile.

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Grow Your Practice with Experienced and Trusted Structural Forensic Engineers and Testifying Construction-Defect and Design-Defect Experts.

Top 7 Ways Our Engineering Experts Benefit You.

• Avoid Technical Blindsides.
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• Pin Point Defect Causes.
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  • Clear, Easy-to-Understand Presentations
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  • Impress Your Boss (Bonus)

Grow Your Practice with Preeminent Solutions Construction-Defect and Design-Defect Experts.

Litigation can be stressful enough without knowing where you stand.

At Preeminent Solutions, our structural engineers use clear, visual and audio presentations to break down complex structural failures, determine cost, and bound repairs.

Our firm was founded by Ms. Vanessa Malone, P.E., a licensed professional civil / structural engineer with almost 20 years’ experience in civil/structural design, forensics, and expert work.

Ms. Malone has worked with a myriad of firms including NASA, Thornton Tomasetti, Westinghouse, Bechtel, General Electric, NIST, and NOAA. She has specialized in industrial structures, nuclear structures, earthquake analysis, wind load analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA), in addition to other specialties. She is licensed in multiple states including Florida, California, Texas, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

Here at Preeminent Solutions we specialize in the analysis and design  and investigation of commercial, defense, aerospace, industrial, and structures. We also specialize in residential structures.

Preeminent Solutions, Inc.
Email: info@psengrinc.com
Phone: (407) 901-0133
Website: www.psenrginc.com

Call or Email for a complimentary initial consultation.

Areas of Expertise

I. Construction-Defect and Design-Defects

Structural Peer Review
Standard of Care Analysis
Standard of Cause
Origin and Cause

II. Building Performance / Code Violations

Forensic Investigations
Building Code Review
Construction Safety Review

III. Industrial Structural Failures

Structural Collapse
Tower Collapse
Structural Steel & Building Failure Studies

IV. Disaster Related Property Damage

Hurricane Damage
Tornado Damage
Wild Fire Damage
Flood Damage
Earthquake Damage
Hail Damage

V. Material Defects

Concrete Defects
Steel Section Loss

View Vanessa Malone's Consultant Profile.

Jeffrey Grusenmeyer, Architect; 40 years of experience; NCARB National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certified; Certified as a Building Official by the Council of American Building Officials; Certified as a Building Official, Master Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and Residential Building Official by the State of Ohio; Numerous Ohio Board of Building Standards Approved Courses and Presenter.; Appearances and testimony before the Ohio Board of Building Appeals.

Well established construction executive with C-Suite experience and proven expert witness with trial testimony experience in all facets of building envelope deficiencies for plaintiff and defense. 32 years as a listed CSLB Officer in CA with 16 years as a Licensed General and Concrete Contractor and 10 years as a Roofing and Waterproofing Contractor. Management in New Construction projects totaling over $6 Billion.