HICHBORN CONSULTING GROUP properly investigates and authoritatively answers questions about the design, installation and performance of concrete and related materials of construction, including cement, concrete, aggregates, plaster, gunite, masonry and related materials. Specialty includes review of contracts, specifications, construction documents and the work for conformance to relevant industry standards. Frequently investigates claims of sulfate attack, alkali aggregate reations, and excessive cracking. Assessment of distress or damage and its causation, whether related to earthquake, fire, flood, adverse environmental exposure, soil conditions, service, lack of maintenance or some special use, is a frequently provided service. Services include understanding and evaluation of concrete proportioning, batching, batch plants, mixing, transportation, conveying, depositing, vibrating, screeding, embed installation, and finishing.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.S. Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 1979. Various ongoing specialized training in engineering and materials with emphasis on portland cement, portland cement concrete, concrete-making materials, cement-containing products, repair and coating products and testing and inspection of structural materials used in construction.
Registered Civil Engineer (CA C-45208 granted 1/1990, next expires 9/30/2006)
Registered Disaster Worker - Residential Construction
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Concrete Institute (ACI, Local & National) Member - RRC Responsibilities in Concrete Construction Sub-Committee, 552, Geotechnical Grouting Sub-Committee, 201 Durability Committee, Cement Sub-Committee, 225
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) LA Section, Orange County Group, Member - Forensic Engineering Technical Group
International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI, National and Charter Local Member, Geotechnical Grouting Sub-Committee)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM, including Committees C-1 Cement, and C-9, Concrete, Various Sub-Committees
Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC) Member, Concrete Sub-Committee Since 1988
Pre-Cast Concrete Manufacturers Association of California (PCMAC) Professional Member
Pre-Cast Concrete Institute (PCI) Professional Member
Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) Professional Member
Forensic Consultants Association of Orange County, (FCAOC)
Society of Concrete Construction, Professional Member
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Ove 10 Years Civil Engineers License Review, includes preparation of Notes and Lectures
Construction Defects
Concrete Construction - Cold Weather
Concrete Construction - Hot Weather
Concrete Construction - Durability
Concrete Construction - Sulfate Attack
Concrete Construction - Alkali Silica Reation
Cement Manufacture
Concrete Manufacture
Sulfate Attack Litigation
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No investigations, suspensions, revokations, or removals of any License
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: In Excess of 2,000
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Concrete and Cement Related Evaluations of: materials, proportions, perfromance, instalation, cement and concrete truck batching, mixing and unloading, construction, damage, specifications, causation, defects, water damage, contract disputes, personal injury in re. such materials.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Varies from 5% to 50%; depends on whenther you define cross complaints as plainiff work.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Varies, over 50%; depends on whenther you define cross complaints as plainiff work.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: In excess of 100
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: June, 2005
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: In excess of 12
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: In excess of 24
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: In excess of 20
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Everything from original consultation, including all planning, field observations, sampling, testing, and (if appropriate) retention of qualified consulting specialized subconsultants, to trial preperation and presentation.
Have particular skill and undersatanding of Daubert and Kelly Frye tests.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $280.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Depends - Have varied and high qualified staff. Fees from $75.00 to $500.00/hour. If I review, $280.00/hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $425.00 depo and trial rate.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $425.00 depo and trial rate.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Too long to list.
References
William J. Ingalsbe, Esq.Monteleone & McCrory, LLP
450 West Fourth Street
Suite 130
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714)565-3170
ingalsbe@mmlawyers.com
Daniel J. Smith, Esq.
Bowman & Brooke, LLP
1741 Technology Drive
Suite 200
San Jose, CA 95110-1355
(408)279-5393
djsmith@Bowman-Brooke.com
Joel Odou, Esq.
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP
4175 South Riley Street
Suite 204
Las Vegas, NV 89147
(702)222-0625
jodou@wshblaw.com
Curtis Parvin, Esq.
Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold
3 Park Plaza
17th Floor
Irvine, CA 92614
(949)852-8200
curtis.parvin@sdma.com
James McGee, Esq.
McGee and Associates
23 Corporate Plaza, #230
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)640-0500
jimmcgee@mcgee-law.com
