What Every Construction Lawyer Should Know about Mandatory Mediation Under SB440

Ted Levin, P.E., Esq. is a mediator, arbitrator, and construction attorney at ADR Services, Inc. He holds dual credentials as a licensed California civil engineer and attorney, with more than 38 years of experience in construction law, professional liability, and dispute resolution. His practice has covered construction defect and delay claims, contract analysis, risk management, and professional negligence involving design professionals, contractors, owners, and insurers across projects ranging from residential work to public infrastructure valued in the hundreds of millions. He has served as a partner at Clark Hill PLC and Morris Polich & Purdy LLP, and has lectured and published extensively on legal developments affecting the construction and design industries. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Construction Law and as a Southern California Super Lawyer.

John Hanover is a Mediator and Arbitrator with ADR Services, Inc. With over 37 years of experience in construction litigation and dispute resolution, John D. Hanover, Esq. is a seasoned construction law expert. His litigation practice focused exclusively on counseling clients in all roles of the building process for private and public works. His experience includes representing clients in complex, high-value disputes in hundreds of jury and nonjury trials, arbitrations, and mediations in matters involving contract disputes, schedule claims, unforeseen site conditions, and payment remedies to claims of defective work.

Mr. Hanover is known for his pragmatic and solutions-driven approach, with clients often describing him as “brilliant,” “reasonable,” and “practical.” His deep understanding of construction law, combined with his strong negotiation skills and calm demeanor under pressure, make him an ideal neutral for construction law disputes.

Mr. Hanover’s prior experience includes serving as Leader of the Construction & Government Contracts practice group at Alston & Bird and as Managing Partner of Peckar & Abramson’s three West Coast offices. He also held the role of outside general counsel for an international engineering, project management, and construction services firm, where he managed high-profile U.S. litigation matters.