Case Intake
Your first message only needs the names of the parties and counsel, the project type and location, a short description of the contractor conduct at issue, your role and any deadlines. Paul checks for conflicts before discussing substance. If there is no conflict, he will discuss the matter, say plainly whether it fits his experience, and describe what an engagement would involve.
Please do not send documents until the conflict check is cleared and the engagement agreement is signed. After that, documents are exchanged through the secure file-transfer method you prefer.
Evidence Review
Contractor conduct opinions depend on the record. Paul typically begins with the contracts and subcontracts, schedules, daily reports, meeting minutes, RFI and submittal logs, change orders, inspection records, photographs and correspondence. He indexes the materials he relies on and identifies records that would normally exist but have not been produced.
Written Opinions
Paul's written opinions are organized around the conduct at issue. For each item, the report identifies the contractual, regulatory and practice requirements that applied, the evidence of what the contractor did, and how the conduct compares, with the basis for each point. Reports are prepared to meet the disclosure requirements counsel identifies for the forum, and his CV is attached.
Testimony
Paul has testified at deposition and trial in the Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois, at an AAA arbitration hearing, and at deposition in Wyoming. He explains how construction projects are run in practical terms, drawing on his years as a superintendent, City of Chicago construction supervisor and General Foreman at O'Hare. He is direct about the limits of his opinions and does not offer legal conclusions.
You can download Paul Gaston's CV before calling. Inquiries are normally answered within one business day.
Who Contacts Paul
Most inquiries come from attorneys representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers and insurers. Claims professionals and property owners also contact Paul directly. Whatever your role, the first step is the same: a conflict check, followed by a short conversation about the conduct at issue and whether the matter fits his experience. If it does not, he will say so and, where possible, describe the type of professional the matter needs. A short call before retaining an expert often saves time and expense for everyone involved, particularly when a disclosure deadline is approaching.