I am a Professional Engineer (Civil) specializing in Roofing, Walls, Windows, Siding, and other Building Envelope Construction issues. I concentrate on above grade waterproofing, believing that below grade waterproofing is a separate specialty. I have Registration with RCI, formerly the Roof Consultants Institute, as a Roof Consultant. I have taught at university level in the Civil Engineering department of NC A&T SU and given technical papers at several conferences and symposia. My doctoral thesis is on the Mechanical Behavior of Modified Bitumen Roofing Materials.

Background

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: PE in California, Washington, and Pennsylvania

Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering & Management Program, University of California at Berkeley, 1991

Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering & Management Program, University of California at Berkeley, 1987

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Washington State University, 1982

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: RCI (formerly Roof Consultants Institute) - Registered Roof Consultant
ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers
ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials
NRCA - National Roofing Contractors Association
WSRCA - Western States Roofing Contractors Association
FEWA - Forensic Expert Witness Association
WESTCON - Western Construction Consultants Association - current board member

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Assistant Professor - NC A&T SU - 1993 through 1997, Civil Engineering Department
Competent Toastmaster - Toastmasters International (no longer active)
Numerous paper presentations and symposium classes

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: Numerous cases as a consultant, dozens as an expert (many working for others - several on my own), and two cases that went to court (two cases were combined into one court appearance).

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Roofing, wall waterproofing (above grade), and general construction.

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 50% of my own cases. More than 70% of the total cases I worked on were for plaintiffs.

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 50% of my own cases. Less than 30% of the total cases I worked on were for defendants.

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 2

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2006

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 1

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 1

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 5 continuously on my own, 1 several years earlier on my own, 24 total - including working for others

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting, reports, site inspections, expert witness testimony

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $180

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $180

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $360

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $360

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: travel expenses, copy fees, etc. cost + 15%
site inspections, reports, research: $180/hr.

References

Robert B. Jacobs
Law Offices of Robert B. Jacobs
4900 Hopyard Road, Suite 280
Pleasanton, California 94588
Telephone: 925-847-8680
Fax: 925-847-8681

Robert B. Kopelson
Law Offices of Robert B. Kopelson
75 East Santa Clara Street
Suite 1180
San Jose, CA 95113-1810
Phone: (408) 293-4000
Fax: (408) 293-8369

Publications