Jeffrey D. Horowitz, Attorney

I am Jeffrey Horowitz, an attorney in Sherman Oaks, California, practicing in the areas of construction law and litigation, real estate law and litigation, employment and insurance law. I represent clients in the Southern California area, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange counties. I have many years of experience in construction and real estate law, employment and insurance law and I can use that experience to solve your legal problems in a way that makes economic sense.

My clients, and their legal matters, receive my personal attention. I give all of my clients the benefit of my experience and expertise, and I fight hard to get them the best results possible without making them incur unnecessary expense.

Practice Areas

Construction Law

I have many years experience working in construction law. Prior to opening my own practice, I spent ten years in the legal department of an insurance company that wrote surety bonds. I was Managing Attorney of the claims and legal departments, where I handled all types of legal matters and litigation relating to surety bonds. I am the author of the chapter on contractor's license bonds in Model Jury Instructions for Surety Cases, published by the Tort and Insurance Section of the American Bar Association. I have been a speaker at legal seminars on surety bond issues.

My years of experience in the construction industry and working for an insurance and surety bond company taught me to look at the whole picture, and not just the narrow legal issues involved. I look for creative ways to solve my clients' problems, and I look for solutions that are cost-effective. I can review construction contracts before jobs are started to make sure that all potentially helpful provisions are included, and to make sure that the contracts comply with all of the applicable rules and regulations.

I will fight aggressively to preserve and protect my clients' rights. I have handled many trials in courts throughout California, and I work hard to obtain the best possible results for my clients. I do not, however, pursue strategies that are uneconomical. I can represent contractors, subcontractors, property owners and material suppliers in all types of disputes arising out of construction transactions, including, but not limited to disputes that relate to:

• Contracts
• Claims
• Mechanics' liens
• Stop notices
• Performance bonds
• Payment bonds
• License bonds
• Release bonds
• Bid bonds
• Bid protests

I handle disputes arising out of commercial and residential construction, as well as disputes arising out of public works projects. I represent clients in mediations and arbitrations, as well as in trials and appeals.

I also represent contractors and subcontractors in administrative matters before the Contractors State License Board; including matters that concern:

• Citations
• Accusations
• License Denials
• General licensing issues

Real Estate

Real estate litigation is a very complicated area, subject to numerous technical rules and special practices. Therefore, a party involved in real estate litigation needs experienced legal counsel.

I have experience in real estate litigation, from the initiation of the action, to the final disposition. I also assist clients in negotiating settlements and alternative resolutions to disputes, such as through mediation.

As it is in all of my practice areas, providing optimum service to my clients is the goal. My clients are provided with information on the progress of their cases throughout the process. I do all I can to keep my clients informed, so that the best result can be achieved.

I represent property owners in many types of real estate matters, including, but not limited to:

• Boundary disputes and easements
• Purchaser/Seller disputes
• Partition actions
• Lis Pendens
• Nuisance and trespass
• Trees and encroachments

Condemnation/Eminent Domain

Are you a property owner whose land is being condemned, or taken, by a governmental body? You may think there is nothing you can do, or that you have no say in the matter. It may seem to you as though the only course of action is to surrender, but that is not necessarily true. You do have rights in these proceedings, and I can help you protect those rights.

It is true that state, local, and federal governments may take your property for a public purpose. This is what is known as "eminent domain." It is important to note though, that both the California and the United States Constitutions require that fair compensation be paid for property taken. The law requires that the amount of this compensation be fixed by a jury, unless you agree otherwise.

I can help you maximize your recovery in condemnation proceedings. I will:

• Help you to obtain an appraisal and determine just compensation.
• Assist with the precondemnation offer
• Negotiate with the condemnor
• Defend you in court and protect your rights when a condemnation lawsuit has been filed and served.

You do have rights in a condemnation proceeding. I will work with you to protect those rights.