Stephen Backus has more than 20 years experience as a trial lawyer, and specializes in construction, real estate, general liability, professional liability and general commercial litigation.  Mr. Backus has represented major real estate developers, contractors, engineers and architects in more than 200 construction cases and has served as lead counsel in trials involving concrete, water intrusion, personal injury, geologic stability, hydrology and structural and seismic design.  In addition, he has successfully defended claims involving premises liability, automobile and truck accidents, products liability, refinery explosions, electrical shock and exposure to toxic chemicals.  In professional liability matters, Mr. Backus has successfully tried cases involving the defense of attorneys and engineers.

Mr. Backus has also represented owners of hotels, downtown office towers, medical and retail centers in ownership and lease disputes, as well as real estate agents and brokers in matters involving commercial leases and professional negligence.  He has also defended individuals facing a judicial foreclosure. 

Mr. Backus serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and is frequently selected to arbitrate commercial disputes in the construction, real estate areas and professional liability areas.

Defense of environmental laboratory in class action construction defect and mold related injury action.  Obtained dismissal.

Defense verdict at trial representing mining operator that involved real estate, construction and environmental issues.  Amount of claim--$17,000,000.

Defense of national engineering firm in highly publicized and complex litigation arising from the John Wayne Airport expansion project.  Amount of claim—in excess of $5,000,000.

Defended developers in numerous soils subsidence and construction defect actions.

Represented owner of Nikko Hotel Beverly Hills in action seeking recovery for structural design defects and the cost of seismic retrofitting.

Defense verdict at trial involving real estate broker’s alleged liability for agent’s fraudulent loan scheme.

Defended attorney in professional negligence lawsuit arising out of alleged conflict of interest.  Amount of claim--$3,800,000.  No damages awarded.

Represented developer in breach of contract suit involving ownership of the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel.

Represented Maryland Casualty in subrogation action involving construction of condominium project in San Diego designated as complex litigation.  Recovery in excess of $1,500,000.

Defense of contractor in multi-party mold injury action.  Amount of claim in excess of $3,000,000.00.