Core Practice Areas
Dr. Mitchell provides expert witness services and litigation consulting across the following areas of structural engineering:
Construction Defects
Investigation and analysis of construction defects in residential and commercial properties, including foundation failures, structural damage, water intrusion, and other quality issues. Dr. Mitchell conducts thorough site investigations and prepares detailed reports documenting defects and causation.
Structural Failures
Forensic analysis of structural failures including collapsed structures, cracking, settling, and other structural damage. Analysis focuses on determining root causes, assessing liability, and evaluating engineering design and construction practices.
Building Code Violations
Expert review of building code compliance at the time of construction. Dr. Mitchell analyzes applicable building codes, industry standards, and common practices to determine whether construction met required standards.
Seismic Design & Earthquake Damage
Analysis of seismic design standards, earthquake damage assessment, and evaluation of structural performance in seismic events. Expertise in both lateral force design and retrofit analysis.
Material Failures
Forensic analysis of material failures including concrete deterioration, steel corrosion, wood rot, and other material degradation. Analysis determines causes and timeline of failures.
Causation & Liability
Detailed analysis to determine causation and liability in construction disputes. Dr. Mitchell evaluates design decisions, construction practices, material selection, and maintenance to identify responsible parties.
Types of Cases Handled
Dr. Mitchell has significant experience with the following case types:
- Residential Construction Defects - Single family homes, condominiums, multi-unit residential properties
- Commercial Building Issues - Office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, hospitality properties
- Property Damage Claims - Insurance claims, subrogation matters, property damage litigation
- Construction Disputes - Contractor negligence, design professional errors, construction defect disputes
- Structural Failures - Collapses, progressive failures, unexpected structural damage
- Adjoining Property Damage - Damage to neighboring properties from construction or structural issues
Investigation & Analysis Services
Dr. Mitchell's investigation and analysis services include:
- Site inspections and forensic investigations
- Document review and analysis
- Testing and data collection
- Engineering calculations and modeling
- Comparison with applicable building codes and standards
- Causation determination
- Liability assessment
- Detailed expert reports
- Deposition preparation
- Trial testimony
Service Area
Dr. Mitchell is licensed to practice structural engineering in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon, and regularly provides expert services throughout these states and adjacent jurisdictions.
Why Choose Dr. Mitchell
- Deep Technical Knowledge - Ph.D. in Structural Engineering with current knowledge of industry standards and practices
- Extensive Case Experience - 150+ cases involving billions in disputed value
- Rigorous Analysis - Thorough investigations based on engineering principles and professional standards
- Clear Communication - Ability to explain complex engineering concepts clearly to attorneys, judges, and juries
- Professional Ethics - Unbiased analysis focused on facts and evidence rather than advocacy
- Multi-State Licensure - Licensed PE in four states serving multiple jurisdictions
Contact Dr. Mitchell to learn how his expertise can help resolve your structural engineering questions.