VERTEX is pleased to announce its return as a Gold Sponsor at the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference, taking place February 4–7, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California.
VERTEX will also host an exhibit booth and co-sponsor a client dinner for Divisions 5, 7, 10, 6 and 3 on February 5 connecting with attendees as the Forum marks its 50th Anniversary with a program centered on evolving ADR strategies in construction law.
This year’s Midwinter Conference, Changing Landscapes: New and Effective ADR Strategies, launches the Forum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, marking five decades of leadership in construction law. The program will explore emerging trends and evolving practices in construction alternative dispute resolution (ADR), with a focus on balancing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality outcomes as arbitration and mediation continue to grow in scale and complexity.
VERTEX Attendees
Members of the VERTEX team attending the conference include:
- Chris Ling , AIA, NCARB, PP, LEED AP – Senior Managing Director
- Robert Adams, PMP, FICCP – Managing Director
- John Cullian , P.E. – Managing Director
- Andrew Sargent , PSP – Managing Director
- Dan Copeland – Principal Account Executive
- Mark Degenaars , LEED GA – Chief Operating Officer
- Benjamin Strong – Chief Revenue Officer
How VERTEX Supports the Construction Law Community
VERTEX provides technical expertise and analytical support that strengthens counsel’s approach to construction disputes, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution. Our teams evaluate complex project issues, analyze schedule and cost impacts, assess standard of care, and quantify economic damages, helping legal professionals develop informed and defensible strategies.
VERTEX’s experts support attorneys throughout all stages of dispute resolution — from early advisory services and independent assessments to expert witness testimony in mediation, arbitration, and litigation. Our multidisciplinary professionals bring clarity to high-stakes matters by delivering objective analysis, clear technical opinions, and actionable insights that help clients navigate complex issues and achieve credible, well-supported outcomes.
To learn more about the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference, including registration details and the full agenda, visit the event website here.
To learn more about VERTEX’s Claims, Disputes & Forensics (CDF) and Commercial Damages & Investigation (CDI) services, or to speak with an expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry.
The Author
Robert Adams
PMP, FICCP
Managing Director, Commercial Damages & Investigation
Construction expert with 33 years’ experience delivering delay, productivity, and impact analysis, serving owners and contractors as an expert witness.
The Author
Dan Copeland
Principal Account Executive
Dan Copeland is a Principal Account Executive at VERTEX with 20+ years of experience selling expert services across the construction industry.
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
Mark Degenaars
LEED GA
Chief Operating Officer, The Vertex Companies, LLC
Mark Degenaars has over 20 years of project management, facility management, private/public development, and construction experience. As COO at VERTEX, his primary focus is the VERTEX's operating strategy.
The Author
Christopher D. Ling
AIA, NCARB, PP, LEED AP
Senior Managing Director, Claims, Disputes & Forensics
Mr. Ling is a Registered Architect and Professional Planner who has been working in the construction industry since 1986. He is licensed in many states, plus D.C. and holds a national certificate for architecture from NCARB.
The Author
Andrew Sargent
PSP
Senior Director, Commercial Damages & Investigation
Primarily focused on delay and disruption, Andrew provides consulting and expert services for contractors, owners, design professionals, and sureties in contract disputes.
The Author
Benjamin Strong
Chief Revenue Officer
Benjamin Strong serves as the Chief Revenue Officer of The Vertex Companies, LLC (VERTEX) and oversees the various VERTEX verticals/service areas for financial performance and continued growth.