The firm represented six clients with claims for payment on a private 500 unit development project and related public improvements located in Brawley, California. Despite an insolvent developer, the firm recovered nearly $6 million for its clients, with three site improvement contractors each recovering in excess of 100 percent of their principal claims. The firm pursued litigation for recovery on public works payment bond, mechanic’s liens, bonded stop notices, breach of contract, and related causes of action against the project owner, construction lender, homeowners, and bond sureties. The case concerned a $35 million construction loan which the lender ceased funding as the project property value fell to less than $4 million. The firm successfully argued that the borrowing base credit line theory claimed by the construction lender to cease funding and paying contractors was invalid and did not absolve the lender of liability on either stop notices or mechanic’s lien claims.
Imperial County Superior Court Case No. ECU04153
Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr. and Allison N. Lantz