Mr. Guirguis’ practice is focused on construction litigation. Prior to practicing law, he worked as a construction engineer with large general engineering contractors on multi-million dollar projects such as the MTA Gateway Center and the Ontario International Airport expansion. He also worked as an engineer and project manager with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
Some of Mr. Guirguis achievements are as follows:
Public Entity Work
- Co-defended a public entity in a one-month bench trial involving in excess of $12 million in claims by a pipe supplier on a public works tunneling project. The public entity’s liability was ultimately determined by the court to be less than 20% of the claims.
- Co-represented the same public entity in successfully defeating the pipe supplier’s appeal to the California Court of Appeal.
- Reviewed administrative procedure of a public entity relating to contractor debarment for compliance with applicable laws.
Real Estate Law
- Defended homeowners against a Constructive Trust action seeking to take their home and caused Claimants to dismiss their action.
Construction Contracts And Bid Documents
- Advised a Church during a $5M construction project regarding claims of disruption by contractor; reached an agreement with contractor to complete project.
- Drafted contracts and general conditions for construction projects of various sizes.
Construction Disputes And Litigation
- Represented several home owners against contractor for delays and construction defects; obtained funds from contractor in settlement.
- Represented condominium owners and their Homeowners Association in construction defect litigation against developer and general contractor; reached a substantial settlement for the homeowners.
- Participated in arbitration of cross-claims by contractor and subcontractor against each other. Successfully overturned the arbitrator’s award in court in favor of client general contractor; obtained a judgment of close to $1 million in favor of client general contractor; participated in successfully defeating a petition for the issuance of a writ by the subcontractor.
- Defended a home builder against multiple lien claimants on a development in Riverside County; lien claimants settled for a fraction of their claims.
- Defended a shoring subcontractor against claims of subsidence by the owner.
- Co-represented a private developer in a multi-million dollar dispute against the general contractor involving delays and extra work.
Commercial and Collection Disputes
- Successfully defeated an anti-SLAPP motion in trial court brought by attorneys in defense of a malicious prosecution claim.
- Obtained payments and collected outstanding balances for several contractors through the prosecution of stop notices, mechanic’s liens, and bond claims on various public and private works.
Education
Westerm State University College of Law, Fullerton, 2000, Graduated 2nd in Class
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Civil Engineering, 1994, Cum Laude
Bars and Courts
California (2000)
United States District Court, Central District of California (2000)
Mr. Guirguis also appeared and argued before the California Court of Appeal.
Memberships
Mr. Guirguis is a member of the California State Bar and Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Civic Activities
Member, St. John Coptic Orthodox Church Board of Deacons
Personal Information
Fluent in Arabic and conversant in French. Enjoys playing sports, especially soccer and volleyball, reading, and traveling.