Tyler J. Cesar

Professional Overview

Tyler Cesar is a founding partner of the firm and a construction law attorney who combines legal experience with a deep technical understanding of the construction industry. He represents prime contractors, design-build contractors, EPC contractors, MEP and other subcontractors, major suppliers, owners, and developers in complex construction disputes, public works claims, contract negotiations, and project risk management. His practice focuses on resolving high-stakes construction issues efficiently while positioning projects for long-term success.

Tyler has substantial experience trying and arbitrating construction cases. He has served as lead counsel in bench trials, jury trials, and private arbitrations involving delay and disruption claims, extra work claims, contract interpretation, payment disputes, public works contracting issues, designer, architect, and engineer errors and omissions, and construction defects. He is known for developing clear, technically grounded case strategies, and he has secured favorable outcomes for clients through verdicts, arbitration awards, and negotiated resolutions.

Before becoming a lawyer, Tyler earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Southern California and worked for a California public works general contractor, where he helped manage multimillion-dollar municipal construction projects. That firsthand experience with project administration, scheduling, change management, and subcontractor coordination informs the practical, cost-effective solutions he develops for clients.

Tyler also has experience in sustainable building practices and previously held LEED Accredited Professional certification.

Representative Matters

• Represented a general contractor in a dispute against an engineering firm arising out of a design-build joint venture agreement for a heavy civil freeway expansion project.
• Represented a publicly traded EPC contractor in a payment dispute with a developer on public land regarding the construction and operation of a solar power system.
• Represented a general contractor in a dispute against a school district arising out of the construction of an elementary school.
• Represented a general contractor in a dispute against an electrical subcontractor involving delay and impact claims arising out of the construction of a middle school for a school district.
• Represented a bridge builder in a dispute with a county owner involving construction methods and delay events.
• Represented an HVAC subcontractor in bringing mechanics lien and breach of contract claims against a building tenant and a building owner.
• Represented the developer of a multi-family residential apartment complex of more than 250 units in disputes with a neighboring developer and its general contractor, including orchestrating an early contractor termination for default and breach and the subsequent favorable settlement of mechanics lien and breach of contract claims.
• Represented a foreign contractor on claims against a public sanitation district, resulting in a $12.5 million settlement for the contractor on the eve of trial.
• Represented a homeowner against a general contractor and subcontractors regarding delays and defects in the construction of a high-end luxury home.