Blog Post 12.15.25
Marc Coats focuses on resolving complex construction disputes, analyzing contractor claims, delay and disruption impacts, payment and procurement issues, as well as drafting construction contracts. Also, a California-licensed civil engineer, Marc is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a LEED Accredited Professional.
Marc’s construction law practice is informed by 10 years of experience working as a construction manager and design engineer on public and private projects. He has advised clients on a wide range of legal issues relating to construction projects, including water and transportation infrastructure, utility-scale renewable energy facilities, and residential and commercial buildings. Marc has represented owners, general contractors and subcontractors, and has experience with international arbitration, mediation and litigation in federal and state courts.
Representative Experience
- Obtained writ relief from the California Court of Appeal prompting a trial court to lift its stay of a mechanic’s lien foreclosure action and reverse its order compelling the dispute to arbitration. Following trial, secured a judgment finding the lien “excessive” and striking $54.8 million in invalid costs.
- Represented an EPC contractor in delay and disruption claims relating to the construction of $900 million battery energy storage projects in California.
- Represented a general contractor in connection with delay and disruption claims relating to a 185 MW battery energy storage facility in Hawaii.
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- Represented an owner in a breach of contract and contractor licensing dispute on a public works project involving $264 million in claimed damages.
- Represented an owner in a high-profile $90 million construction defects lawsuit with significant press coverage, favorably resolving the dispute before trial.
- Represented a joint venture comprised of two ENR top 10 contractors litigating over $100 million in competing claims relating to payment issues and design defects on the expansion of a large freeway in Southern California.
- Represented a public agency in the litigation of a $98 million claim relating to negligence and breach of contract issues in the design and construction of improvements to a commuter rail system.
- Represented a design-build joint venture between an ENR top 20 contractor and others to litigate delay and disruption claims on a $2.1 billion light rail project.
- Represented an ENR top 400 contractor in an international arbitration to resolve delay and disruption claims related to design errors and changed conditions in the construction of multiple facilities on a military base in Bahrain.
- Represented a subcontractor to litigate a payment dispute in a complex multiparty action relating to delays and defects in the construction of the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco.
- Provided advice and counsel to a nonprofit housing developer relating to the drafting and negotiating of construction contracts and professional service agreements.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in Construction Litigation (2023–2026)
- Recipient of Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2019–2021)
- Judicial Extern for the Hon. Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court
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- Speaking Engagements
- “Daubert/Frye Motions in Construction,” Lorman, April 18, 2024.
- Publications
- Coauthor, Changes in the Work, in Fundamentals of Construction Law 873 (Michael T. Kamprath et al. eds., ABA 3d ed. 2025) (with Fred D. Wilshusen & Elaine Y. Lee).
- Coauthor, The Arbitration of International Construction Disputes, 2 Am. J. Const. Arb. & ADR 53 (2018) (with Joseph F. Moore & Lauren C. Pon).
Education
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J.D., University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law
Senior Articles Editor, UC Davis Law ReviewM.S., Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
B.S., Civil Engineering, San Francisco State University
Tau Beta Pi
Admissions
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California
Courts
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U.S. District Court for the Central District of California