VERTEX is proud to serve as a Silver Sponsor of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law 2025 Annual Meeting, to be held April 23–25 in Austin, Texas. This year’s event, the final installment of the Forum’s “Construction Law Trilogy,” will bring together professionals from across the country to explore the latest challenges and trends shaping construction law and dispute resolution.
The conference agenda features a dynamic lineup of sessions covering topics central to today’s construction environment. These include pre-construction planning, delegated design management, surety issues, subcontractor relations, and strategies for handling productivity and disruption claims. The program is designed to provide practical insights for attorneys, consultants, and industry stakeholders navigating increasingly complex project demands.
On Wednesday, April 23, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, VERTEX’s Michael R. Martin, JR. will participate in the CLE panel “Practicum Discovery Series: Mastering Expert Discovery.” Part of a separately ticketed session, this panel will explore how expert witnesses can influence the trajectory of construction disputes—from initial evaluation through resolution. Discussion topics will include:
- Identifying when and why to engage an expert
- Using experts to guide fact discovery and depositions
- Deposing experts across different technical disciplines
- Maximizing expert contributions for trial or settlement
The panel will offer practical insights into what makes an expert effective and how legal teams can collaborate with them to strengthen their case strategy. Martin will join fellow panelists Amanda Buffinton (Shutts & Bowen LLP), Laura DePetro (Woods Aitken LLP), Scott Griffith (Griffith Davison P.C.), and Benjamin Wisniewski (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.).
In addition to Michael Martin, VERTEX will be represented by John Cullian, James Granstra, Jason J. Ligon, Neil Miltonberger, Robert A. Peterson, and Carson Stepler. This cross-disciplinary team will be attending the conference to connect with peers, stay current on legal and industry developments, and support the Forum’s mission to promote collaboration and education within the construction law community.
To learn more about the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2025 Annual Meeting and view the full agenda, visit Welcome – Forum on Construction Law 2025 Annual Meeting.
To learn more about VERTEX’s Forensic Consulting services or to speak with a forensic expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry.
The Author
John Cullian
P.E.
Managing Director, Commercial Damages & Investigation
Mr. Cullian, with 35+ years in construction, specializes in project management, dispute resolution, delay analysis, and schedule reviews. He has testified in court, advised diverse clients, and worked on major domestic and international projects.
The Author
James Granstra
PSP, PMP
Managing Director, Commercial Damages & Investigation
James Granstra, Managing Director at VERTEX, specializes in dispute resolution, CPM delay analysis, and project oversight in construction.
The Author
Jason J. Ligon
CFE
Managing Director, Commercial Damages & Investigation
Mr. Ligon, a Certified Fraud Examiner with 16 years of experience, specializes in damages analysis, forensic accounting, and fraud investigations across industries like construction, defense, and healthcare. He has testified as an expert witness and lectures on fraud risks.
The Author
Michael R. Martin, Jr.
CPA, CFF, CFE
Subject Matter Expert, Commercial Damages & Investigation
Michael R. Martin, Jr. is a Subject Matter Expert at LitCon Group, LLC, a Vertex Company (LitCon). Mr. Martin has more than 25 years of experience specializing in the preparation and defense of damage claims, investigations, forensic accounting and compliance issues for clients in the construction and government contracting industries. He has developed and rebutted damages analysis in litigation and other forums, assisted clients in responding to Government inquiries and participated in negotiations with various Government entities such as DCAA, DCMA and multiple Offices of Inspector General. Mr. Martin has been qualified and testified as an expert related to government cost accounting, incurred costs, and damages issues.
The Author
Neil Miltonberger
PE, CCP, MBA, MS
Senior Managing Director, Contract Claims
Neil Miltonberger is an Expert in financial damages, construction disputes, government contracts. PE & CCP certified.
The Author
Robert A. Peterson
CCA
Senior Managing Director - Practice Area Leader - Commercial Damages & Investigation
Mr. Peterson, Senior Managing Director at VERTEX, brings 35+ years' expertise in construction and government contract disputes, specializing in damage pricing and analysis.
The Author
Carson Stepler
CST, CCT
Manager, Contract Claims
Carson is experienced in the review and analysis of construction claims related to financial and scheduling disputes. Carson has evaluated a variety of project delays using the critical path method (“CPM”) including design related changes, fabrication and delivery delays, adverse weather impacts, and loss of productivity. He has also analyzed claims related to cost overruns, lost profits, and wrongful termination.