Stephen Cook offers knowledge and experience with 41 years of hands on involvement in all phases of construction. Approved in Superior Court as an expert many times, appeared in mediations, arbitrations and deposition 75-100 times.
With the ability to focus the listeners minds eye on the subject matter, making them the expert.
You will be presented with the tools to make it happen.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A:
Curriculum Vita
Of
STEPHEN MICHAEL COOK
General Building Contractor
Cook Construction Company
7131 Owensmouth Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 438-4535
EDUCATION:
• Graduate study in Construction - Los Angeles Business College 1972
• Union Carpenter, Apprenticeship through Journeymen 1968-1982
• Continued education with hands-on experience in the construction field from 1968 to the present date, i.e., all phases of construction, from single family custom homes, multi-story apartment complexes, commercial buildings, to industrial buildings.
• Additional Courses completed - Moisture Control Solutions, March 16,2006 & Moisture Control and the Building Envelope II, August 3,2006
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE:
• 1982 – California General Contractor License # 431852
• C-43 – Sheet Metal License # 431852
• C-39 – Roofing License # 431852
• C-35 – Lathing and Plastering # 431852
• C-12 – Earthwork and Paving # 431852
• 2008 – Nevada General Contractor License #0070588
EXPERIENCE:
*41 years of Construction experience
1967 – 1970
• Construction site waste management, hand excavation management, construction material management
• Estimating, blueprint takeoffs, material lists, cost lists, estimates
1970 – 1982
• Supervised construction of custom homes, apartment buildings, condominium complexes, industrial buildings; from remodeling to new construction
1982 - Present
• Owner/Builder – custom homes, flat lots/hillsides, room additions
• Water intrusion issues, the building envelope (i.e., foundations, decks, exterior/interior walls, roofs, windows, floors)
• Drainage issues involving flat lots and hillsides, foundations, retaining walls, concrete slabs hydrostatic pressure.
• Concrete foundation, settlement issues involving repairs and estimates, flat lots and hillsides.
• Earthquake damage repairs and estimates for property owners and insurance providers, Allstate Insurance Company, Farmers Insurance Group, TIG Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, Mercury Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance Company, Travelers Insurance Company.
• Foundation systems, caissons, retaining walls, settlement issues relating to foundations.
• Remodeling, retro fit existing structures.
1992- Present
EXPERT WITNESS
• Creditable, strong, concise testimony in Mediation, Arbitration involving construction defect cases for Insurance Companies & Attorneys
• Consulting services for: Construction, document preparation, construction material lists, costs, Building codes analysis, site inspections.
• Common Construction industry standards of practice and its relationship with the California Building Codes.
INSURANCE COVERAGE:
• Errors & Omissions – LLOYD’S OF LONDON
• General Liability – LLOYD’S OF LONDON
• Workers Compensation – DELOS INSURANCE COMPANY
MEMBERSHIP:
• Los Angeles County Bar Association –Member # C1180014
• San Fernando Valley Bar Association - Associate Member
• California State Sheriffs Association – Member # 3790757
• California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation – Member # 4682
• California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation – Gold Membership – Member # GL0610
• The American Institute Of Architects - Member # AIA30148811
• ICC International Code Council-Member # 5219575
• National Roofing Contractors Association # 58111
• American Concrete Institute- Member # AMI 01089449
• Los Angeles Police Eagle & Badge Foundation
• Forensic Expert Witness Association– FEWA
PREVIOUS CLIENTS INCLUDE:
• Chandler Lumber Company
• Terry Lumber/ Stock Lumber
• Stock Lumber
• Home Lumber
• Individuals/Homeowners
• Construction Defect Attorneys
• Insurance Companies
• General Contractors
• Subcontractors
• Superior Court of Los Angeles
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: MEMBERSHIP:
• Los Angeles County Bar Association –Member # C1180014
• San Fernando Valley Bar Association - Associate Member
• California State Sheriffs Association – Member # 3790757
• California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation – Member # 4682
• California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation – Gold Membership – Member # GL0610
• The American Institute Of Architects - Member # AIA30148811
• ICC International Code Council-Member # 5219575
• National Roofing Contractors Association # 58111
• American Concrete Institute- Member # AMI 01089449
• Los Angeles Police Eagle & Badge Foundation
• Forensic Expert Witness Association– FEWA
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Superior Court,Mediations, Arbitrations
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: 75-100
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: All areas of Construction, to name a few: Water Damages, Vibration, Roofing, Foundations, Concrete,Grading, Stucco, Stone, Tile, Flooring, Water damages, Hillside Construction, Hillside Foundations, Rough Carpentry,Custom Homes, Industrial Building, Paving, Soil, Construction costs
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 65%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 35%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 75-100
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 12/2008
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 75-100
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 50
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 25
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, site inspections, Reports, Travel, Training.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Please e-mail me for requested information @ scook16121@aol.com or call 818-438-4535
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Please e-mail me for requested information @ scook16121@aol.com or call 818-438-4535
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Please e-mail me for requested information @ scook16121@aol.com or call 818-438-4535
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Please e-mail me for requested information @ scook16121@aol.com or call 818-438-4535
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Please e-mail me for requested information @ scook16121@aol.com or call 818-438-4535
References
1) Alan J. Carnegie, Esq. 818-222-40352) Elizabeth Saparzedah, Esq. e-mail itismeliza@gmail.com
3) Randy Snyder, Esq. 818-222-7677
4) Richard Weiss, Esq. 310-553-0036
5) Richard Bunt, Esq. 818-919-9982
6) Richard Sullevan, Esq. 818-609-0040
7) Jay Willocott, Esq. 310-277-5504
8) Robert Cohen, Esq. 818-501-5800
9) Amy Cohen, Esq. 661-414-7110
10) Ilan (“e lawn”) Heimonson 310-550-9050
11) Paul Nesbitt, Esq. 310-777-0448
12) Todd Nesbitt, Esq. 310-777-0448
