Intro
Tyson specializes in construction law as a litigation and transactional attorney, representing owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and construction sureties. His practice focuses on all areas of public and private contracting, bidding and protest issues, claims, mechanics' liens, public and private stop notices, licensing and surety disputes.
Tyson is also experienced in drafting and negotiating complex construction-related documents and construction litigation. With trial experience as lead counsel for one of the region's largest construction companies, he is a frequent speaker on industry topics and regularly presents educational seminars to his clients.
Education
Admissions and Courts
Successful representation of one of the U.S.'s largest steel producers in payment dispute involving enforcement of mechanic's liens on various projects in Southern California.
Secured a multi-million dollar win for one of the nation’s top ranked contractors while defeating defendant’s million dollar plus claim arising out of a joint venture dispute following the successful construction of a $250MM+ hotel and casino project in Sacramento.
Represented general contractor in construction dispute over a multi-use project that was substantially delayed. The multi-party dispute included owner’s claims for liquidated damages, improper work and other damages that exceeded $26 million and the contractor’s claims for extended general conditions and unpaid contract funds over $13 million. After a two-month arbitration, the arbitrator awarded the contractor $19 million that included attorneys’ fees and interest while denying all of owner’s claims.
Drafted and negotiated construction contracts for commercial-residential mixed use projects valued at over a half-billion dollars.
Successful lead trial counsel for water district in $20 million trial arising out of construction disputes with public entity.
Represent various health care facilities with drafting and negotiating contracts for design and construction of new facilities and complex construction litigation matters.
Represent owner in connection with more than $50 million in claims concerning design and construction deficiencies arising out of construction of water treatment plant.
Drafted and negotiated more than $80 million in construction contracts for the new California Prison Health Care Services Headquarters Consolidation project.
Drafted and negotiated $60 million construction contract for multi-use housing facilities.
Lead counsel representing a performance and payment bond surety in claims exceeding $10 million for delay, extended overhead, and labor inefficiency arising out of a state prison project.
Lead attorney representing a general contractor in connection with delay, extended overhead and additional work claims totaling more than $8 million arising out of public affordable housing projects.
Drafted and negotiated $13 million in construction contracts for a developer to construct a residential housing, golf course and clubhouse project.
Defend public agencies against contractors' claims for delay, disruption and extended overhead arising out of construction of a public safety center and recreational park projects.
Lead counsel representing a general contractor in connection with a contractor's claims for delay and unpaid contract balances arising out of construction of a public activity center.
Lead counsel representing a subcontractor in claims arising out of mechanical projects.
Construction Financial Management Association, Sacramento Chapter, Board of Directors
Associated General Contractors of California, Delta-Sierra District, Board of Directors
Associated General Contractors of California, Legal Advisory Committee
American Bar Association, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
"Deacon Builders, LLC’s $19 Million Arbitration Award," Global Legal Chronicle (July 2021)
"Sad Days at Lunada Bay," Surfer Magazine (April 2016)
Opp v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. (2007) 154 Cal.App.4th 71
"Construction Payment Remedies in California," National Business Institute (2001)
"The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues in California," Lorman Education Services (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010)
"The New Notice of Mechanic's Lien: A New Opportunity to Resolve Contractor Claims Before Your Property is Encumbered?" Construction Law Alert (June 2011)
“Construction Managers, For Better or Worse, Til' Litigation Do Us Part,” co-speaker, Associated General Contractors Of California (AGC) Legal Retreat (September 2017)
"Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues," co-presenter, Lorman Education Services (April 2013)
"Construction Lien Law," co-speaker, Lorman Seminar (February 2013)
"Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations," co-presenter, Lorman Education Services (January 2013)
"The Handling and Responding to Claims on Public Works Projects," co-presenter, County Counsels’ Association of California (May 2012)
"Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations," co-presenter, Lorman Education Services (January 2012)
"Contractor Default - Prevention and Mitigation," Construction Financial Management Association (June 2011)
"Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations," co-presenter, Lorman Education Services (January 2011)
"Bracing for Construction Claims During a Slow Economic Recovery," Public Agency Construction Seminar (October 2010)
"A Financial Update: Current Issues Affecting The Construction Industry," Construction Financial Management Association, Sacramento Chapter (September 2010)
"The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues in California," Lorman Education Services (2006, 2007, 2010)
"Mechanic's Liens and Related Payments Remedies," Construction Financial Management Association, Sacramento Chapter (November 2008)
"Mechanic's Lien Law Update," Construction Financial Management Association (February 2007)
"Mechanic's Liens and Stop Notices," Valley Contractors Exchange (March 2003)