Timothy M. Truax - an El Segundo, USA Construction Law Lawyer

El Segundo Construction Law Lawyer

Updated: 02/28/2026

Areas of Practice

Construction Law 75%
Real Estate Law 10%
Arbitration/Mediation Neutral 10%
General Civil Litigation 5%

Litigation: 65%

Attorney Information

Overview

Experienced construction and real estate attorney, practicing all aspects of construction law, including litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, contract drafting, and general advice. Recognized for more than 10 years as one of the leading construction lawyers in Southern California. Matters handled involve commercial, industrial, infrastructure, residential, retail, hospitality, educational and other projects; both public and private. Comprehensive understanding of construction industry. Emphasis on negotiated resolution of disputes without the expense of litigation. Service as arbitrator/mediator and expert witness in construction disputes.

Representative matters include contract drafting and negotiation of construction and design contracts for major commercial, entertainment, residential and mixed-use projects, for both owners and contractors. Regularly advise developers, general contractors and others concerning legal, contract and insurance issues. Serve as personal counsel for clients in construction and design defect cases, overseeing work of defense counsel, working with insurance carriers and advising as to strategy. Participate in lobbying for and against legislation affecting construction industry, including revising pending bills and testifying before legislative committees.

Experience includes numerous construction defect (residential and commercial), professional liability (error & omission), delay and disruption, mechanic's lien and stop notice, and disputed change order matters. Tried or arbitrated 12 construction cases to judgment/award, almost all as first chair.

Extensive general litigation experience, including products liability, personal injury, real estate, environmental, commercial and employment matters, with four such cases tried to judgment/award.

Transactional experience includes real estate purchase and sale, land use/entitlements, loan documentation, and leasing matters.

Awards and Honors

Honors

Associated General Contractors of California Associate Achievement Award, 2013
Super Lawyers, 2004 - 2016
America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA, 2004 - 2015
Best Lawyers, 2007 - 2016
Who's Who Legal: Construction, 2015
Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year - Construction Litigation/Los Angeles, 2016
Martindale Hubbell - AV Preeminent Ranking, 2016

Education

Legal Education
- University of Southern California Law Center, Los Angeles, California, 1985
  J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Non Legal Education
- San Jose State University, San Jose, California, 1982
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  Honors: With Distinction
  Major: Journalism

Current Employment Position(s)

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Sole Practitioner
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Past Positions

Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges, Associate/Partner, 1985 - 1998
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, Senior Counsel/Partner, 1998 - 2007

Classes and Seminars

Presentation, Lorman Education Services: Design-Build/Construction Management , 2014
Presentation, Lorman Education Services: Managing Construction Project , 2014
Presentation, ABA Forum Committee on Construction Law: Local Hiring Ordinances, 2013
Presentation, AGC of California: Insurance and Indemnity, 2012
Presentation, Lorman Education Services: California Construction Lien Law, 2012
Presentation, Los Angeles County Bar Association: Indemnity & Insurance, 2012
Presentation, Lorman Education Services: 2007 Version of AIA Contracts, 2009
Presentation, PCL Construction Services, Inc.: Labor Compliance Under California Law, 2008
Presentation, Bond Companies: Construction Law in California, 2005

Representative Clients

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The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
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Centre Builders, Inc.
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Cannon Building Services, Inc.
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DKN Hotels LLC
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Sanchez Bros. Construction, Inc.
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AEW Capital Management, L.P.
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The Carlyle Group
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Thompson Metal Fabrication, Inc.
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PCL Construction Services, Inc.
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Kornwasser Shopping Center Properties, LLP

Representative Cases

Basura v. U.S. Home Corp.
- Citation: 98 Cal.App.4th 1205
- Court: CA Ct. Appeal
- Year: 2002
Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Partners v. Superior Court (Parsons Corp.)
- Citation: 60 Cal.App.4th 248
- Court: CA Ct. Appeal
- Year: 1999

Bar Admissions

California, 1985
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1999
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1986

Other Affiliations

American Bar Association (Forum on Construction Law), 1993 - Present (Member)
Los Angeles County Bar Association (Real Property Section, Construction Law Subsection), 1986 - Present (Member)
Associated General Contractors of California (Legal Advisory Committee, Legislative Committee, State Board of Directors, Building Division Board of Directors, AGCC PAC), 1992 - Present (Member)

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Contact

El Segundo, CA

222 North Pacific Coast Highway
Suite 2000
El Segundo, CA 90245

Directions

Phone: 310-955-4676

Fax: 310-662-4795

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.truaxlaw.com

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Timothy M. Truax - El Segundo, CA