Mr. Robert I. Schwartz AIA is a California Licensed Architect and General Contractor with over 25 years of major project development, finance, design and construction management experience reflecting over $2 Billion of completed works. He is recognized as a leading legal expert concerning building design and construction issues, having served as the lead investigator in over 200 cases. He has also served as an Arbitrator in dozens of cases, including large & complex disputes. Mr. Schwartz is expert in the "takeover & turnaround" of distressed projects, applicable building codes, standards of professional performance, cost estimating, contract administration, forensic engineering and the preparation of effective trial exhibits.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.A., Psychology, U.C. Santa Cruz, 1973
Master of Architecture (M.Arch) UCLA, 1980
Licensed Architect (California) No. C-14545
General Contractor (California) No. B-417412
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Guest Lecturer, Lusk Graduate School of Real Estate, University of Southern California
Guest Lecturer, Construction
Ventura Community College
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: NO.
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: As a lead investigator of construction issues, approximately 200 times. As a legal expert, approximately 120 times.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Architectural Design, Real Property Development, Construction, Building Codes, Construction Industry Standards & Practices, Professional Standards of Performance.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 55%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 45%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 25
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Approximately 5
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Dozens
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 10 to 12
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Field Investigation, Site Recordation, Construction Auditing, Forensic Reporting, Cost Estimation, Means & Methods of Repair, Construction Document Review, Change Order Analysis
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $195
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $195
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $390, with a four-hour daily minimum.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $390, with a four-hour daily minimum
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Actual expenses.
References
K. Lee Gibson, Esq.MYERS, WIDDERS, GIBSON, JONES & SCHNEIDER
5425 Everglades Street
Ventura CA 93003
(805) 644-7588
Alan Jampol, Esq.
JAMPOL & ZIMET
800 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1110
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Stephen Penrose, Esq.
LOMBARDO & GILLES
318 Cayuga Street
Salinas, CA 93902
Tom Lombardi, Esq.
PALMER LOMBARDI KNEAFSEY & DONOHUE LLP
445 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 2580
Los Angeles, CA 90071
