Testimonials

I am writing this letter in recommendation for Philip Lachin, a professional engineer that I have hired to serve as an expert witness over the last 20 years. Phil has served as an expert witness for me in very complex and contentious construction disputes involving claims in excess of $10 million. Phil’s work ethic and detail are unmatched, and he brings years of engineering and claims handling experience to support his opinions. I strongly recommend him for a certified claims consultant certification.

I am writing to endorse Philip Lachin, PE. I have practiced construction litigation for over 30 years and have known Phil’s reputation as an effective expert witness for many years. He was introduced to me by a mutual client about 10 years ago. I have had the opportunity to work with Phil over the last eight years as a construction claims consultant. He was instrumental in my success in the matter of “APC Construction, LLC v DQSI, LLC,” 22nd JDC for the Parish of St. Tammany. We represented the subcontractor in a delay claim on a Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority project. He countered a substantial liquidated damages claim by the general contractor and helped with schedules and direct and indirect cost analysis for the subcontractor’s claim for payment and delay damages. Leveraging his engineering and claims background, his report was thorough and persuasive and assisted tremendously in resolving the matter after years of litigation.

I am writing to endorse Philip Lachin, PE. My practice has included the representation of primarily public entities involving both construction contract administration and construction litigation for over 30 years and I have observed Phil’s capabilities as an effective expert witness during that time. I have had the opportunity to work with Phil off and on over those years as a construction claims consultant as well as a construction management consultant. In fact, his expertise in construction claims and construction administration assisted immensely in the successful completion of the construction of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in June 2015. We represented the Parish of Jefferson in the review and assessment of extensive change order and delay damage claims made during the multi-year construction process through 2015 and Phil’s expertise in the analysis of change orders and delay claims (based upon dubious CPM schedules) assisted the Parish in the development of its responses to both claims, especially in light of potential liquidated damages. His expert assistance and reports helped the Parish avoid the necessity of litigating the numerous and complex claims.

We also retained Phil as an expert on behalf of Jefferson Parish to assist us in the Parish’s defense of a contractor’s claim for delay damages asserted in August 1997 in Harbor Construction Co. Inc. v. Parish of Jefferson in 24th JDC. Phil’s knowledge and experience in construction contract administration as well as delay claims resulted in an expert report supporting the facts underlying the Parish’s defense. Along with Phil’s expert testimony at trial in April 2001, the jury rendered an award that was very favorable for the Parish. Judgement was issued in May, 2001.

At the request of Philip Lachin, PE, I am writing this letter of recommendation in full support and endorsement of Phil’s credentials.

I have been a practicing attorney in the New Orleans area for nearly 40 years. Among other fields, I also practice in the construction litigation field which is where I worked with Phil a couple of years ago. We hired him as a scheduling expert in a significant construction arbitration case with delay and construction defect claims exceeding $20 million. Phil has a professional reputation as an effective expert witness in the area of scheduling and cost analysis. He came highly recommended to us by a design expert who was also part of our team.

After a 3 week arbitration trial, our client obtained a successful award from the arbitrator. Phil’s scheduling and cost analysis was instrumental to our team’s success in that case. His report was thorough and his testimony at the arbitration trial was clear and compelling. Given the opportunity, I would have no hesitation retaining Phil’s expert services as a scheduling and cost analysis expert in future cases.

Upon successful presentation of cumulative impact claim and receipt of significant damages settlement, Project Manager expressed gratitude for PJL guidance and assistance in developing claim for cumulative impact (beyond direct damages previously paid for each instance) of numerous instances of unforeseen/changed site conditions related to existing underground utilities on construction of approach roads (and related underground utility work) to expansion of Mississippi River Bridge project.

Philip,
Thanks for your help with the whole thing. Between you and I, your third party confirmation of entitlement throughout the entire process helped me keep my head up and rise above the muck I was stuck in daily. Also helped the other parties in play at my company to understand the situation on the project.

Thanks again.