Mr. Harris served as General Counsel for a public works construction firm for over six years. He has extensive legal experience in public and private construction matters, including bid protests, contract negotiation, and claims including unforeseen conditions and delay claims. He protects his contractor clients’ right to payment by way of mechanic’s liens and stop notices. He has mediated, arbitrated, and litigated construction disputes of many types. He has resolved disputes with general contractors, suppliers, and state and local government owners.

He has particular experience in California Department of Transportation work including bidding, contract negotiation, project close out and claims.

At RJO, Mr. Harris has continued to litigate construction claims of all types, skillfully moving disputes to favorable outcomes through targeted discovery and tactical law and motion practice. He represents subcontractors, prime contractors and owners in litigating contract interpretation, delay claims, and payment disputes. His firsthand knowledge of and experience with government specifications and various construction contracts has been instrumental to his successful resolution of his clients’ disputes.

He is a member of the California Associated General Contractor’s Legal Advisory Committee.

Mr. Harris is a former deputy public defender, representing nearly one thousand indigent clients through the criminal justice system, from arraignment through jury trials. In one twelve-month period, Mr. Harris obtained six acquittals for his clients in jury trials. He has also drafted, argued, and won multiple appeals before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.