Overview

Pacifica maintains a robust procurement and construction practice, with more than 45 years of collective experience representing a wide variety of public and private clients.

We focus on effective, efficient and timely problem solving. We counsel clients on the full spectrum of issues that arise on construction projects, including:

  • Bidding and procurement, and the time-sensitive evaluation, prosecution and defense of bid protests.
  • Public works issues, both straightforward and complex, including alternative project delivery under ch. 39.10 RCW (design build, progressive design build, and GC/CM).
  • Dispute resolution, including direct negotiation, mediation, and—where necessary—formal litigation in state and federal courts.
  • Underground construction projects and disputes, including issues related to large bore tunneling, micro-tunneling, horizontal directional drilling, auger boring and other methods.
  • School district construction and procurement matters, including school district-specific requirements under ch. 28A RCW.
  • Construction defect matters, including numerous complex, high-dollar disputes involving building envelope and concrete failures.
  • Complex schedule delay and cumulative impact claims, where we have developed specialized techniques for effectively prosecuting and defending such claims.
  • General Counsel to numerous clients, including a wide range of contract drafting and transactional work.

Recognition

Chambers and Partners includes Pacifica’s Construction team among its highly ranked practices, noting that the firm is “a construction and real estate boutique best known for its work with institutional clients such as school districts, municipalities and public utilities, and is recognized for its specialist proficiency in tunneling disputes and public procurement procedures, including bid protests.” Construction practice group leader John Parnass is praised by sources as “a very capable senior litigator with very good judgment.” Zak Tomlinson was likewise praised and “highlighted for his handling of transactional matters such as contract negotiations, as well as his experience in disputes arising from construction projects.”