Sandy M. Kaplan, Esq., brings over four decades of experience representing a broad spectrum of clients in construction- and insurance-related disputes. His practice included the representation of developers, property owners, general contractors, design professionals and subcontractors for both plaintiffs and defendants across commercial and residential projects. Over the course of his career, he has served as lead counsel in more than 800 mediations and tried over 20 cases.

Mr. Kaplan joined JAMS after practicing for 42 years at a large national firm. He played a key role in shaping the firm’s construction law practice as a co-chair and founding partner of its Construction Practice Group. He is AV rated and recognized for his deep expertise in complex construction matters. 

Mr. Kaplan has litigated and settled claims in excess of $900 million over his 45-year career. He trained at both Harvard University and Pepperdine University, where he received certificates in complex mediation practices. He was consistently selected as a Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer for his work in construction claims and defects.

Mr. Kaplan’s experience extends to the appellate level, having served as lead appellate counsel in notable published opinions, including Brisbane Lodging v. Webcor and Renown v. Hensel Phelps. Known for his strategic insight and knowledge of the law, he brings a thoughtful, solution-oriented approach to dispute resolution.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• Harvard University, Certificate on Mediation and Dispute Resolution
• Pepperdine University, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Certificate in Mediation: The Art of Facilitating Settlement, 2022

Mr. Kaplan has extensive experience in the following areas:

• Construction defect and breach of contract in high-rise commercial and residential buildings, hotels, mixed-use buildings, hospitals and schools
• Insurance disputes and insurance coverage issues arising out general liability, builders risk and subcontractor default insurance
• Homeowners association and single-family home claims, including SB 800 issues
• Construction change order, delay and liquidated damage claims for both the building owners and contractors, including critical path analysis

All matters below were handled by Mr. Kaplan as an attorney.

• AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
• Super Lawyer, Construction, 2004–2019
• Best Lawyer, Construction
• Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, Board of Directors, 2000–2002

Speaking Engagements

• Lecturer, OCIPS/CCIPS, ABA Forum on Construction, Association of Defense Counsel and West Coast Casualty, 2010–2020
• Speaker, Force Majeure, ABA Construction Forum, 2016
• Practising Law Institute, Real Estate Litigation: A Toolkit for Transactional Lawyers, 2022, 2023

Publications

• Author, “OCIPs, CCIPs, and Project Policies,” ABA Journal Construction Forum, Summer 2009
• Author, “It’s a Catastrophe, but We Have a Force Majeure Clause, So No Worries, Right?” ABA Construction Forum, 2016

• Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, 1982–2025
• Maloney Chase Fisher & Hurst, 1980–1982
• J.D., University of San Francisco, 1980
  • Law Review, Comments Editor, USF Law Journal
• B.A., Political Science, Franklin and Marshall College, 1977