Attorney Profile - Barbara R. Gadbois, Partner

In 2007 Ms. Gadbois was recognized as a leading construction lawyer by Chambers USA Directory of Leading Lawyers. She was also selected as a "Southern California Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles magazine and the Center for Law & Politics in 2004 and again in 2008.

Ms. Gadbois has been a partner with the Los Angeles law firm of Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP since 1993. She concentrates her practice in the development and management of construction projects including the drafting and negotiation of bid and contract documents, procurement issues, public works, competitive bidding requirements, bid protest issues, prequalification, project delivery methods, including design-build projects, risk allocation in contracts, claims avoidance and project closeout.

In particular, Ms. Gadbois' practice has included:

As part of a team of prestigious law firms, Ms. Gadbois and her firm serve as construction counsel to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. Ms. Gadbois has drafted bidding and contract documents, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, a Job Training Program and bid protest procedures and provides regular consultation on issues involving contract compliance, change orders and stop notice claims.

From concept to completion, Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP acted as legal counsel to the City of Pasadena and Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association with regard to renovation of the Rose Bowl Press Box. Ms. Gadbois served on a multi-discipline steering committee, implemented a prequalification procedure, prepared competitive bidding and contract documents, and addressed all pre-bid and post award issues. Her efforts contributed to a successful project completed within the budget and ahead of schedule. She has provided similar services to the Rose Bowl Operating Company for other renovations to the Rose Bowl stadium.

Crescent Heights Acquisitions, a high-rise residential and commercial developer relies on Ms. Gadbois' expertise in drafting design and construction documents, reviewing lender requirements, review of insurance and bonds, assistance with project administration, change order drafting and negotiation and project closeout.

Ms. Gadbois assisted the Burbank City Attorney in review of the city charter, code and ordinances to authorize a design-build procurement for an electrical switching station. Thereafter she worked with city engineers and contract managers to draft the request for qualifications and contract documents. She assisted the City in all aspects of the solicitation, evaluation and selection process.

The city of Glendale retained Ms. Gadbois to draft a design-build contract for a public parking structure funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration. She assisted with evaluation and drafting of change orders and project close out.

Working with the Anaheim City Attorney, City Engineer, Construction Manager and Project Architect, Ms. Gadbois developed contract documents for a several hundred million dollar expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center, addressing critical issues of scheduling, sequence of construction, coordination of construction with scheduled events at the existing facility, and mitigation of impacts to adjoining commercial and residential property.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa retained Ms. Gadbois to draft contract documents for construction of $50 million renovations and expansion project. Ms. Gadbois and her team assisted the Inn in resolving course of construction and project closeout disputes.

Practice Areas:: Construction and Public Contracts; Real Estate Law

Education:: University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (J.D.), Los Angeles, CA, 1985; Northwestern University (B.A., Psychology), Evanston, IL, 1982

Professional Memberships and Associations:: State Bar of California; Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Real Property Section and Construction Subsection); American Bar Association (Member, Public Contract Law and Construction Industry Forum Committee); California's Coalition for Adequate School Housing; City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County

Bar Admissions:: California, 1985; U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1985; U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1986; U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1986; U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1986; U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1986

Publications:: B. Gadbois, Chapter Two, Public Contract Bidding and Bid Disputes, and Chapter Three, Contract Drafting, CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION LAW (HLK Global Communications, Inc., 2007).; The Abandonment-of-Contract Doctrine in Construction Disputes (Co-Author), Los Angeles Lawyer, the Magazine of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Vol. 24, No. 10 at pg. 2, January, 2002; reprinted in Legal Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, Albert Dib, editor (2002).; The New AIA General Conditions: An Overview of Key Changes, California Construction Law Reporter, Volume 8, Number 5 at 107, May, 1998; Public Contracts and Competitive Bidding (Co-Author), Probate and Property, the Magazine of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, ABA, at p. 35, September/October, 1997

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Speaker, The Construction Process from Start to Finish, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (2006); Speaker, Insurance and Indemnity for Public Agencies, sponsored by California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (2006); Speaker, Prevailing Wage Law in California, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (2006, 2005, 2004); Speaker, Construction Contracting for Public Entities in California, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (2006, 2005, 2004); Panel Speaker, Scope of Services / Standard U.S. Non-Standard Contract Provisions, sponsored by Construction Specifications Institute, AIA Continuing Legal Education and Association for Women in Architecture (September 2006); Panel Speaker, Construction Law & Disputes, sponsored by Continuing Education of the Bar (2004); Speaker, Construction Law for Attorneys in California, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (2003); Speaker, California Coalition for Adequate School Housing 23rd Annual Conference on School Facilities (2004, 2003, 2002); Speaker, City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County Spring Retreat (2004, 2003, 2001, 2000); Speaker, Construction Management/Design-Build, Public and Private California Construction Law, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (2002); Speaker, County Counsel Association Public Contract Conference (2001); Speaker, California Construction Law, What Do You Do When …?, sponsored by National Business Institute (2002, 1999)