Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq.

T: 310-392-3044
F:310-396-7576
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Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq. is one of the leading construction neutrals in the United States with an expertise in mediating and arbitrating construction, real estate, insurance, surety, and business disputes involving major commercial projects. He is well known for his ability to establish great rapport with clients and for his persistence in getting parties together. He gives his undivided attention to resolving each case, a requisite to resolving particularly complex, multiple-party disputes.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

  • Successfully mediated more than 1,500 cases nationwide and arbitrated over 175 disputes involving:
  • Construction: breach of contract, defect, cost overrun, delay, disruption, and acceleration cases
  • Insurance: coverage and subrogation
  • Surety issues
  • Business issues
  • Arbitrated numerous public agency disputes as a member of a special panel established by the State of California Office of Administrative Hearings
  • Recognized by the legal publication Chambers USA as a "construction law guru" and “a leading figure in the field of mediation,” he understands the financial, political, and other pressures facing the parties, and quickly assesses the strengths, weaknesses, and nuances of a case
  • His comprehensive knowledge of the construction process puts him in a unique position when conducting mediations and arbitrations. His aptitude to truly empathize and understand the positions and attitudes of all parties comes from his more than 25 years of practice devoted exclusively to the representation of virtually every type of entity involved in construction including public and private owners/developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and design professionals in all aspects of construction law, including procurement, contract negotiations, litigation, mechanic’s liens, and claim preparation and defense
  • Mr. Gibbs literally “wrote the book” on construction law being the co-author of California Construction Law, one of the most cited treatises on the subject; he’s also been an Adjunct Professor of Construction Law at Loyola Law School

Representative Matters

  • Mediated more than 1,500 construction defect, delay, disruption, acceleration, and breach of contract matters, ranging from two-party disputes to matters involving 40 or more parties
  • Mediated numerous insurance coverage and subrogation cases
  • Mediated many business contract disputes
  • Mediated cases nationally in more than 20 states
  • Arbitrated more than 175 construction, insurance, surety, and business matters including numerous construction defect, delay, disruption, and breach of contract matters
  • Arbitrated more than 50 public agency disputes

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

  • Designated with the highest level ranking (Band 1) in Construction, Chambers USA, 2005-2011
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Best Lawyers in America, 2011-2012
  • Selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2004-2011
  • Robert Flaig Award, Construction Subsection of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2009
  • Recognized as a leading practitioner, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Who's Who Legal: California, 2009-2011
  • Recognized as a Top 40 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2008 and 2011
  • Fellow, The American College of Construction Lawyers
  • Member, State Bar of California, Real Property Section, Construction Law Subsection
  • Member, State Board of Directors, Associated General Contractors of California, 1989-1991
  • Member, American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section
  • Member, American Bar Association, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Real Property Section and Construction Law Subsection
  • Arbitrator, State of California Public Works Arbitration Panel
  • Former member, Large and Complex Case Panel, American Arbitration Association
  • Author of numerous construction law publications, co-author of Construction Change Order Claims, 2nd Ed., Aspen Law and Business, 2005; co-author of California Construction Law, Aspen Law and Business, 2011; Board of Editors, California Construction Law Reporter, Shepards McGraw-Hill
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, Loyola Law School
  • Speaks nationally on various construction law topics at leading seminars and conferences, including Principal Speaker at:
    • West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar, 2004-2006
    • Construction Law Super Conference, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006
    • Law Seminars, California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1988-2001
  • "Building Bridges," ADR Profile, Daily Journal, July 1, 2011 

Background and Education

  • Founding Partner, Gibbs, Giden, Locher, & Turner LLP, 1988-2006
  • Partner, Wickwire, Gavin & Gibbs, 1978-1988
  • Partner, Most, Bertram & Gibbs, 1976-1978
  • Associate, Most & Bertram, 1974-1976
  • J.D., University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law School, 1974
  • A.B., magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, University of California, Berkeley, 1971