attorneys

Joel L. Halverson

Member
jlh@severson.com | (415) 677-5629 Tel | (415) 956-0439 Fax
OFFICE
One Embarcadero Center
Suite 2600
San Francisco
CA 94111

415-398-3344 Tel
415-956-0439 Fax

Areas of Practice

  • Insurance
    • Sports & Athletics
    • Professional Liability/Professional Responsibility & Ethics
    • Insurance Defense
    • Product Liability
  • Construction
    • Litigation

Education

  • Pomona College, B.A., cum laude, 1990
  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 1994

Joel Halverson is a problem solver and trial lawyer who focuses his practice in the areas of professional liability, construction and general litigation.  A member of the firm's Construction and Insurance Groups, Mr. Halverson was named among the "Best Lawyers in the Bay Area" for construction litigation in 2005 based on a survey conducted by Bay Area Lawyer Magazine.

Mr. Halverson defends architects, engineers, attorneys, medical providers, real estate brokers and other professionals against allegations of errors and omissions and other claims.  In the construction and design arena, Mr. Halverson represents design professionals, developers, owners and contractors in litigation as well as transactional and risk-management counseling.  Mr. Halverson also has extensive experience representing clients in arbitration and mediation and also acts as an ADR provider through his role as a settlement panelist and arbitrator with the Marin County Superior Court.  Mr. Halverson is a frequent presenter and lecturer on legal topics and has made appearances as a legal analyst on KRON 4 News, San Francisco.

Mr. Halverson is active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada (ADC).

Mr. Halverson joined Severson & Werson in 1996 and has been a member of the firm since 2002.  He obtained his J.D. (1994) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and his B.A. (1990), cum laude, from Pomona College.

Recent Professional Activity:

·         Obtained summary adjudication and dismissal of tort claims for mechanical contractor client in SB 800 action (June 2012).
·         Secured defense judgment for architect client on claim of wrongful death arising from mold (January 2011).
·         Secured defense judgment for architect client on indemnity cross-action based on waiver of costs settlement (June 2010).
·         Secured dismissal for engineer client on claim of professional negligence in connection with design of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant (May 2010).
·         Appearances as KRON 4 News Legal Analyst (November 2009 - April 2011)
·         Obtained for clients / owners a settlement valued at $4.3 million at trial of construction dispute involving multiple landslides (August 2009).
·         Secured dismissal on favorable terms for client at trial of legal malpractice action (October 2009).
·         Secured defense judgment for professional land surveyor client at trial (June 2008).
·         Secured defense judgment for attorney clients in legal malpractice suit (May 2004).
·         Selected, “Best Lawyer in the Bay Area - Construction” by Bay Area Lawyer Magazine (September / October 2005).

Mr. Halverson's primary areas of legal practice include:

Construction Litigation: Representing design professionals, developers, owners and contractors in all matters of construction litigation.

Professional Liability: Defending architects, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals against allegations of errors and omissions and other claims.

General Litigation: Representing plaintiffs and defendants in various commercial, property and casualty disputes.

Insurance Litigation: Representing insureds and insurance companies in matters of defense, prosecution and coverage.

Transactional Counseling and Document Preparation: Advising architects, engineers, and other professionals in the construction field on transactional issues.

Biographical Information:

Employment History:
Joined Severson & Werson in 1996; became Member in 2002.
Litigation Associate at Hillsinger & Costanzo, Los Angeles, California, 1994-1996.

Education: 
B.A., Pomona College, cum laude, 1990. J.D., Hastings College of Law, University of California, 1994.

Admitted to Practice: California, 1994.

Professional Affiliations: State Bar of California.

  • Chaudhary & Associates v. Ryder Homes - As lead trial counsel, obtained judgment on behalf of civil engineering firm on contract claim in excess of $47,000, inclusive of costs.

  • Louie/Wong v. Hayman Homes - Assisted trial counsel by handling depositions, case management and pre-trial and trial pleadings necessary to obtain defense verdicts for engineering client in consolidated professional negligence cases; successfully argued appeal to affirmation of judgment.

  • Kagawa v. Action Termite & Pest Control, Inc. - Obtained summary judgment on behalf of termite inspection company in single family residence construction defect case.

  • Quintero v. Polar Tank Trailer, Inc. - Defeated challenge on behalf of tank manufacturer to good faith “nuisance value” settlement in multi-million dollar fatality case involving allegedly defective tank trailer.

  • Lombard v. Montgomery-Kone - Obtained defense award on behalf of engineering firm in arbitration of personal injury lawsuit alleging professional negligence.

  • Norman Hale & Associates v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Co. - Obtained summary judgment on behalf of insurance carrier in coverage litigation.

  • Oak Hill West v. Hollman & Bologna - Obtained judgment on behalf of engineering firm in binding arbitration involving claims of professional negligence.

  • Camargo v. Yale Management & Associates, Inc. - Handled binding arbitration regarding damages and case management on behalf of all defendants in multiple fatality, multi-million dollar premises liability casualty suit arising out of apartment building fire.

Publications

  • "Abolition of Standard of Care in Residential Design? Study of SB 800's Impacts on Design Professionals," published by the Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice © ASCE, January 2004.

News

  • Appearances as KRON 4 News Legal Analyst (November 2009 - April 2011)
    Read Detail »

Events

  • August 15, 2012

    Presentation by Joel Halverson: "Design Professional Liability in Construction: Evaluating Project Delivery Models, Analyzing the Scope of Liability, and Minimizing Risk Through Contract Terms."

    This CLE webinar will provide counsel with a review of recent court decisions defining the scope of design professional liability, discuss the impact of project delivery models on liability, and outline proactive approaches to minimize the risk of construction liability through contract provisions. For more information please click here.

  • May 1, 2012

    "Successful Navigation Through Construction Defect Reforms," Bankers Insurance Company Annual Meeting, New Orleans.

  • March 2, 2012
    "Avoiding and Defending Claims in New Residential Construction: Tips and Tricks for Surviving the (Still) Brave New World of SB 800."
  • July 8, 2011

    "Crawford v. Weather Shield and its Progeny: A Critical Evaluation and Discussion of Strategies for Defending Against Contractual Tenders of Defense."

  • April 1, 2011

    "The Knock at the Door: Design Professional Disciplinary Processes in California".

  • February 4, 2011

    "Navigating the Risks of Accessibility Requirements in Design: Drive-By ADA Lawsuits and Beyond."

  • January 1, 2011

    "Expedited Jury Trials in California: An Overview and Discussion of Strategic Considerations."

  • December 3, 2010

    “ADA Acumen for Architects & Engineers."

  • February 18, 2010

    "BIM, IPD & Lean: Challenges and Strategies Associated with New Project Delivery Models and Technology."

  • November 6, 2009

    "Control Your Risks: Indemnify, Defend & Insure."

  • September 2, 2009

    "10-Pronged Strategy for Combating Crawford Tenders."