Experience and Expertise

Aren has experience first and second chairing jury trials, court trials and arbitrations representing contractors, subcontractors, owners of real estate, and even fellow attorneys. Below are examples of some of his trials/arbitrations:

• Following a 243 day trial, obtaining a multi-million dollar judgment in favor of a general contractor against a public entity, including prompt payment penalties and attorney’s fees.

• Obtaining a defense judgment and attorney’s fees following a court trial in favor of an owner of commercial real estate in an easement dispute with an adjacent property owner.

• Obtaining a jury verdict in favor of a general contractor against a physician for failure to pay for the reasonable value of services.

• Obtaining an arbitration award against a law firm for misclassifying attorney as a partner and failing to pay the attorney in full for services, including a finding that the managing member of the law firm was an alter-ego of the firm and thus liable as well.

• Obtaining a defense arbitration award in favor of a general contractor against claims by a subcontractor.

Aren has briefed and argued several appeals. He has secured four reversals from the Court of Appeal. Below are examples of some of the appeals he’s handled.

• East West Bank v. Rio School District, 235 Cal. App. 4th 742 (2015) - following a 243 court-day trial, the trial court awarded Aren’s client, a general contractor, a multi-million dollar judgment against a public entity, including prompt-payment penalties. Aren handled the appeal as well. The Court of Appeal affirmed the prompt payment penalties, holding that a dispute over change orders did not entitle an owner to withhold retention. In doing so, Aren persuaded the court to decline to follow conflicting decision by the Third District Court of Appeal in Martin Brothers Construction, Inc. v. Thompson Pacific Construction, Inc., 179 Cal. App. 4th 1401 (2009).

• XXSYS Technologies v. State of California, 2006 WL 3013025 (Cal. Ct. Appeal, Fouth District 2006) – reversing summary judgment entered by trial court against Aren’s client in a multi-million defamation case against Caltrans.

• Cesena Co, Inc. v. FTR International, Inc., 2004 WL 1240405 (Cal. Ct. Appeal, Second District 2006) – reversing judgment by trial court entered in a claim by a subcontractor against a general contractor, and directing the trial court to enter judgment in favor of Aren’s client.

Aren also prepares and reviews construction contracts and subcontracts for large, complex, industrial and/or public construction projects.

In recognition of his high caliber legal work, Aren has been hired by many other attorneys (including former opposing counsel) to act as their personal counsel in their legal disputes.