Chip Ossman’s provision of dispute resolution support to construction industry members for over 25 years offers a unique understanding of the positions, needs, and the ultimate interests of the parties in dispute. Working his construction industry corporate, program, and project management consulting experience knowledge with his Master of Dispute Resolution training, the resolution of your dispute will be facilitated through evaluation of best and worst case resolution scenarios while considering practical, reasonable fact analysis.
Mediations facilitated by Mr. Ossman generally include pre-session interviewing of the parties (“intake”), enabling an understanding of the issues and “hot buttons” prior to the start of joint discussion sessions. Mediation sessions are held in appropriate meeting places sized to fit the parties and their entourage, with comfortable and private caucus rooms for all.
The mediation process can be suggested by Mr. Ossman, or set by the parties’ own agreement. Briefs, exhibits, experts, discovery, all can be defined to fit the needs of the dispute. Mr. Ossman’s industry negotiation and dispute resolution experience allows the consideration of a broad spectrum of proceedings, as can only be best established by the parties themselves for the matter at hand.
Mediation Experience:
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Providing mediation and dispute resolution services throughout the construction industry, assisting clients and their disputants in reaching a settlement rather than proceeding to arbitration or litigation. |
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Participating in more than 75 construction industry mediations. |
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For more than 10 years, providing dispute resolution support and advice throughout the alternative dispute resolution process, including supporting the client at and attending the mediation. |
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As a general contractor’s contract administrator, mediated more than 500 disputes between subcontractors and owners on a variety of projects and issues. |
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Listed mediator, Los Angeles County Superior Court. |
Construction Industry Experience:
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Field Experience: On-site project assignments include the management and administration of construction projects with values of up to $115,000,000, with concentration in heavy industrial projects. |
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Construction Company Experience: A career with general contractors as estimator, cost engineer, project engineer, schedule, contract administrator, and negotiator; and in the identification, justification, and presentation of change order requests and claims from negotiation through resolution. |
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Project Owner Experience: Providing construction management services and support to large and small municipalities, School Districts, and public agencies, including project schedule evaluation for project owners; preparation of General and Special Provisions to be included with Specifications for numerous municipality projects; and dispute resolution support from claim analysis through resolution. |
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Expert Testimony Experience: Testimony for the defense and for the prosecution of construction litigation in Federal and State Courts, AAA, and private arbitrations. |
Education:
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Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree, Georgia Tech (1976) |
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Master of Science Degree, with concentration in Construction Management, Georgia Tech (1983) |
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Master of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (2003) |
Professional Affiliations:
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Member of the Industry Advisory Council to the CSULB Bach. of Constr. Engr. & Mngmnt. Degree |
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Center for Excellence in Construction (at CSULB) Founding Member, Board Member |
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Board Member of CMAA SoCal Chapter, Member of ECA, past Board Member of ABC SoCal Chapt. |
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Chair of Student Chapter Committee, Associated Builders & Contractors SoCal Chapter |
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Neutral membership as an arbitrator in The American Arbitration Association |
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Past Board Member and Chair of the WCCC Products and Services Committee |
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Southern California Mediation Association, California Dispute Resolution Council |