D. Gary Christensen

Representative Experience

• Construction Disputes Plus

  • Arbitrator of significant differing site conditions and defect claims on public improvement project as panel chair, which involved a bifurcated hearing with preliminary findings and final award.

  • Successful litigation and mediated resolution of a project owner’s $8 million claim against its builder’s risk insurance carriers following two explosions and fires during the construction of a 250,000 sq. ft. data center in Washington County, Oregon. The builder’s risk insurers’ untimely and unreasonable claims adjustment resulted in zero payment to the project owner prior to Miller Nash’s involvement. Litigation involved extensive discovery of electronically stored information and depositions, in addition to summary judgment briefing and other motions. With the assistance of a mediator, the vast majority of the owner’s losses were recovered.

  • Guided healthcare system through forensic research, repair contracting, preservation of evidence, forensic expert reports, negotiations, and arbitration proceedings for damage claims against the general contractor and subcontractors that improperly performed exterior envelope, plumbing, electrical, and roof work to construct a new hospital for behavioral health patients and required specialty facilities. The entire exterior envelope had to be removed and replaced, together with removal and re-installation of all windows, while the hospital was occupied. After repairs were complete, we prepared, documented, and asserted claims to recover the owner’s damages. Following extensive discovery, depositions, arbitration proceedings, and mediation, we achieved a successful, multimillion dollar recovery of a substantial majority of the owner’s losses.

  • Successfully litigated with lead counsel complex, multiparty delay, payment, contract value, and defective construction claims for developer of a new, mid-rise luxury residential building in downtown Portland. Four years of litigation involved five separate actions; multiple liens and foreclosures by subcontractors; significant delay, cost, and GMP claims between the developer and general contractor; and several separate defect claims involving insurance coverage. Different claims and actions were mediated, arbitrated, negotiated, and litigated with uniformly successful results.

  • Successful resolution of multimillion-dollar claims and numerous opposing and pass-through claims for CM/GC in a complex, multiparty litigation arising from the reconstruction of the new Sellwood Bridge in Portland. The case was settled through a complex mediation proceeding, with full case presentation, following significant discovery of electronically stored information.

  • Arbitrated and mediated resolution of defective roof structure on new education facility, recovering almost 90 percent of district’s damages, costs, and attorney fees in a challenging political environment. Collection and analysis of significant physical evidence, electronically stored information, expert investigations, and reports.

  • Client, an independent purchaser of custom products used on public projects, avoided liability when it discovered that the product had not been manufactured as advertised and specified. Client successfully avoided liability using safe harbor provisions of the state’s False Claims Act in a delicate strategy involving the state and several other interested parties.

  • Successfully extracted supplier of large hydroelectric turbines from complex federal delay and defect litigation arising from the retrofitting of an existing dam for electrical generation. Guided strategic motion practice and judicial settlement conference to release supplier from virtually all claims, including obtaining payment of supplier's outstanding invoices.

  • Established strategy and agreements to remove and replace general contractor during a significant casino expansion project, including claims management, assignment of subcontract rights, and resolution of delay and payment claims, all without formal dispute resolution proceedings.

  • Wyndham Resort Development Corporation et al v. Swinerton Builders Northwest, Inc., et al. Multimillion-dollar recovery in the largest private sector construction-defect case in the history of the state at that time. The case involved claims of negligence, breach of contract, and breach of warranty for multiple types of defects. Representation of The Resort at Seaside against a general contractor and some 28 additional subcontractors, architects, designers, vendors, and material suppliers. Case complexities included dealing with condominium association rights and complex insurance coverage issues.

  • Full recovery of all damages and almost all costs and attorney fees from shopping mall landlord for project between its tenant and client contractor, involving multiple potential defenses, construction liens, and significant claim amounts.

  • Resolved without litigation public owner’s claims against contractor for construction of an addition to a public building that left obvious aesthetic damage. Focused expert evaluations of exterior envelope of building and challenging valuation issues.

  • Negotiated walk-away agreement among MEP subcontractor, general contractor, and owner of hospital after subcontractor on expansion project improperly used equipment, sending construction debris into operating hospital. Avoided litigation and project delay by finding and negotiating options to full termination of contractor or subcontractor.

  • MultiCare Health System v. Skanska USA Building Inc. et al. Successful recovery of $3 million water damage and delay claims arising during construction of new wing of hospital. Claims resolved under property and liability policies and with both subcontractors and insurers directly, following complex mediations.

  • Portland School District v. Great American Insurance Company. Complete recovery of more than $2 million building damage claim caused by roofing fire at middle school, plus fees. Trial and appellate claims against roofing contractor’s excess insurance carrier, including successful assignment of the contractor's claims against its excess liability insurer.

  • Portland Art Museum v. Ann Beha Architects, Inc. Obtained multimillion-dollar recovery during the course of litigation and mediation that involved claims for breach of contract, negligence, and breach of warranty against a Boston architectural firm arising from incomplete and uncoordinated drawings in connection with the renovation of the Masonic Temple and construction of the Mark Building, the new home of the Portland Art Museum. Representation of the museum additionally included resolution of multimillion-dollar contractor and subcontractor claims (which were resolved for less than 30 percent of the principal amount of the claims) and avoidance of payment of any costs or attorney fees.

  • Walsh Construction Co. v. Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Co. Filed successful amicus curiae briefs for Associated General Contractors and others before Oregon Supreme Court to clarify important ruling on Oregon’s anti-indemnification statute governing construction contracts. (2005)

  • Litigation of major construction-defect claim against design/builder of large Oregon grocery distribution center when concrete floors lacked flatness and levelness needed to operate facility efficiently. Assisted a multinational engineering firm in resolving claims asserted by a municipal wastewater commission related to the design and construction of a biosolids irrigation facility.

  • Assisted owner with project contract closeout, payment disputes, and defective-work claims with respect to multimillion-dollar theater project.

  • Trendwest Resorts, Inc., et al v. Ramsay-Gerding Construction Company et al. Obtained multimillion-dollar recovery in mediation of negligence and breach-of-contract claims against architects, an owner’s representative, a general contractor, and subcontractors arising from the defective design and construction of the WorldMark at Gleneden Beach Resort.

  • Sherwood School District v. OC America Construction. Successful recovery for school district on extensive scheduling delay, cost, and defect claims against general contractor during and after construction of new elementary school. Obtained arbitration award of more than $1 million and successfully defended court challenge to award.

• Construction Contracting Plus

  • Developed a separation agreement to remove a national general contractor midstream during construction of a large data center complex in Oregon, and to transition the remaining work to a follow-on contractor, along with the assignment of all existing subcontractors. The transition was fully successful, with no disputed termination or delay claims.

  • Successfully negotiated and assisted owner’s legal team with development of complicated CM/GC contract for construction of a large new fabrication facility for a major technology company. The contract required significant, detailed specifications and terms that were heavily negotiated to the owner’s overall benefit.

  • Successfully negotiated construction easement and construction contract among multiple public and private parties for reconstruction of neighbor’s adjoining wall to permit construction of new affordable housing project. Intricate negotiation of multiple intersecting interests in properties and new wall, including care for displaced tenants and a two-phase construction process to maintain operations of neighboring property and critical path of affordable housing construction.

  • A number of contractors, healthcare systems, education districts and other clients have us update and revise their respective master and template design and construction contracts on a regular basis. Our experience litigating construction disputes significantly assists in honing and modernizing master and template contracts.

  • Negotiated and prepared complex design-build contracts for major new casino complex, involving reconstruction of freeway interchange; construction on tribal, private, and public land; multiple public, ownership, and financing interests; and challenging timeline.

  • Represent national/international internet service provider to prepare and negotiate design/build and conventional construction contracts for data farms and related facilities nationwide.

  • Successfully closed $215 million syndicated credit facility for tribe and tribal enterprise to expand tribal casino and build hotel and resort (Northern Quest Resort & Hotel) and handled ongoing issues among bank, tribe, and contractor during project. Handled contracts with architects, contractors, and other construction-related vendors, addressed exceptional bonding and security issues related to tribe’s unique sovereign status, and negotiated ongoing construction-related relationships through fast-track construction from design to occupancy.

  • Negotiation of design/build contracts for new grocery distribution centers in California and Idaho and expansion projects of other centers.

  • Successfully negotiated design and construction contracts among general contractor and multiple owners of single structure broken into three or more commercial condominiums, including affordable housing, church, and commercial owners, on several different matters. Design and construction counsel for Northwest facilities for the leading developer of computer processors and related technology. Assist with preparation of contracts for construction and expansion of large fabrication facilities under extreme design and construction conditions.

  • Represent leading national architecture firms in contract negotiations for major construction projects and claim disputes.

  • Counsel for design and construction of Providence Health & Service’s capital construction projects for more than 25 years. Preparation and negotiation of master and individual contracts and resolution of claims from projects.

  • Negotiation of design, construction management, and construction contracts for Salem Hospital’s major capital expansion projects and multiple healthcare structures.

  • Negotiation of design and construction contracts for affordable housing projects over many years, resulting in dozens of successful housing construction projects and renovations across Oregon.

  • Involved negotiation and modification of complex construction contract for owner of large new hospital and related facilities and policyholder insurance claims following completion.

  • Negotiation of several specific design and construction contracts and change orders for The Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museums, large-format theater, and related facilities. Successful litigation and settlement of construction claims and audits relating to certain projects.