ANNA M. CARNO

Ms. Carno’s prior litigation experience includes representing the legal interests of various business entities, including construction companies, engineering firms, design professionals, defense contractors, public school authorities and commercial businesses. Her trial experience encompasses jury and bench trials related to commercial transactions, contractual disputes, construction defect, personal injury, administrative appeals and surety litigation.  Her knowledge of administrative law, including laws, rules and regulations involving contractor’s license and MBE/DBE/WBE/VBE certification, has enabled her to assist many contractors expand their businesses.  She has participated in numerous arbitrations, mediations, administrative hearings and federal and superior court trials. 

Though much of her practice involves litigation, Ms. Carno has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution procedures.  In 2003, Ms. Carno became a certified mediator.  Her litigation and ADR experience compliment one another to achieve positive resolution in various matters. 

Ms. Carno graduated Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University in 1984 wherein she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration.  She received her juris doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in 1989. 

She is admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of California, the Southern and Central Districts of the United States District Courts of California, and the United States Court of Federal Claims. 

She is conversant in Italian and Spanish.  She has spoken at numerous seminars regarding construction related topics including “Change Orders in California” presented by Lorman Education Services; “Mechanic Lien Enforcement” presented by NAWIC. The most recent article she co-authored, “Construction Debris and Hazardous Waste: How Trash Can Be an Environmental Liability” was published in the Construction Executive’s February, 2004, issue.

ANDREW C. CARLTON is a Partner with the firm whose professional roots are tied to the construction and real-estate industries. Though Mr. Carlton began his construction experience in 1977, he obtained a real estate license in the mid 1980s and specialized in commercial properties in downtown Los Angeles. In 1989, Mr. Carlton obtained his contractors license and formed, owned and operated a design/build firm for six years.

Education: Mr. Carlton attended President Nixon's alma mater, Whittier College, where he received L.A. Philanthropic Foundation and Haynes Foundation scholarships, a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Graduate in Major, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in History. Mr. Carlton attended Whittier Law School where he was a Roy Newsom and Merit Scholarship recipient and received the CALI Excellence For The Future Award for Professional Responsibility and Third-Year Writing.

Appellate Publication: BFGC Architects Planners, Inc. v. Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc. et al. (2004) 119 Cal. App. 4th 848; 14 Cal. Rptr. 3d 721 - no right for architect to pursue claim for equitable indemnity against general contractor where no basis for tort liability exists against the proposed general contractor/indemnitor.

Speaker/Author/Publishing: Mr. Carlton has lectured and/or written on various construction related subjects including: "Change Orders in California" (Lorman Education Services) (Costa Mesa CA 2004). Mr. Carlton has also authored and published "The ABCs To CYA: Subcontractors (and Material and Equipment Providers) on Private Works" and "The ABCs To CYA: Subcontractors (and Material and Equipment Providers) on Public Works", which are self-help guides for subcontractors in California.

Practice: Mr. Carlton was admitted to practice before all the courts of the State of California, the United States District Court, Central District, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and also before the Supreme Court of the United States.