Christine Barker
Co-Managing Partner
GRSM

Christine Barker is the Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s Orange County office.  Christine is a highly accomplished attorney with significant experience in general and complex matters with an emphasis in construction law and Toxic Torts.  She has counseled owners, general contractors, design professional and subcontractors during all phases of contract negotiations, project design and construction. During the project planning phase, she provides advice concerning licensing, contractor selection, contract drafting (e.g. EPC, AIA, ConsensusDoc) and negotiation, insurance requirements, and bidding. Recently, Christine assisted a new start-up business in licensing, designing, contracting and constructing, from the ground up, private power plants for commercial businesses. During the construction phase Ms. Barker continues to counsel clients on change order disputes, delays, defect claims (commercial and residential), as well as construction remedies, including mechanics liens, stop notices, performance/payment bond claims, and prompt payment laws.

In addition to construction counseling, Christine has extensive experience in public procurement law including advising on bid protests, contract drafting/negotiation, contract performance and compliance issues, claims and dispute resolution. She has successfully represented her clients in both protesting and defending against protests in a variety of solicitation formats, including best value, negotiated best value and lowest responsible bidder.

Christine is also a highly accomplished litigator in both public and private matters.  Christine’s ability to effectively evaluate a case early on allows her to develop a realistic case strategy and cost-effective solutions. She represents owners, developers, subcontractors and design professionals, in all aspects of litigation including, creating and implementing discovery plans and trial strategy, filing and defending against mechanic’s liens and stop notices, evaluating and resolving defect and delay claims, making resolution recommendations, and effectively representing her clients at Mediation, Binding Arbitration, Settlement Conference and Trial.

In her environmental practice, Christine defends her clients against mold, asbestos, water and fire damage and other toxic environmental claims, both residential and commercial. She defends clients facing significant potential damages in multi-party actions involving alleged toxic tort claims.

Projects include commercial retail developments, power plants, luxury hotels and apartments, hospitals and schools, pipelines and industrial tanks, large residential developments, and single family remodels.

Christine has been certified as a Master Certified Professional Coach (M.C.P.C.) by the Certified Life Coach Institute.

 

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California

 

Professional Associations

• Orange County Bar Association
• Board for the Construction Law Section Group (Secretary/Treasurer)

 

Community Activities

• Mentor for Orangewood Children’s Foundation
• Assistance League of Orange – Professional Auxiliary Chapter