2026 Westcon Symposium (November 06, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Friday, November 6, 2026

2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583

The 16th Annual Westcon Symposium is a day-long seminar presented by highly qualified experts in an interactive learning environment. This years conference theme is "Mastering the Defect Litigation Spectrum: Every Angle, Every Expert, One Symposium."

The Symposium panels of experts will include attorneys, insurance experts, contractors, architects, engineers, and finance representatives.

TICKET PRICING

$295 MEMBER early-bird Pricing

$375 Member (after 09/30)

$430 Non member early-bird Pricing

$525 Non-Member (after 09/30)

Don't like the Non-Member price? JOIN US!
Prorated membership from now until December 31st is $165

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Exhibitor Setup/Staff Setup

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Registration, Hot Breakfast & Exhibitor Networking

8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome Address & Sponsor Recognition

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. PHASE 1 – Early Stages of a Construction Defect Claim

Description:

Planning for the entire process as much as possible at the start, including the prelitigation/SB800 process, early litigation, and working in unison with the lead expert. This session will address the scope of the claim and initial report, identifying the “Builder” or agent for the prelitigation process, insurance coverage, realistic goals for prelitigation, repairs, discovery, mediation and settlement options, and the Special Master role.

Takeaways:

What do you need in a lead expert in prelit/early litigation stages, and what specialized experts do you need and when to retain?
What you need to do to prepare the case early, including the first SB800 Reports (or defect list in non SB800 cases), early investigation work, and getting documents from builder as part of the prelitigation SB800 process.
How to use the Special Master efficiently to maximize discovery and the opportunity for settlement, including early joint expert meetings, methods of repair, and different costs.

Speaker(s): Glen Van Dyke, Esq., Van Dyke Litigation & Trial Attorneys PC & Omar Hindiyeh, CMA Consulting

10:15 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. PHASE 2 – How Much is Enough? Building Defensible Field Investigation Protocols

Description: Construction defect investigations often hinge on a deceptively simple question: how much testing is enough? This session brings together two construction defect experts to unpack the decisions behind an effective field investigation and testing protocol. Panelists will debate the merits of qualitative, condition-based location selection (per ASTM E2128 for wall leak investigations) against statistical random selection approaches that enable extrapolation of test results. Beyond the “how many and where” question, the panel will describe what belongs in a well-thought-out investigation protocol—the document that governs scope, drives pricing, and sets the stage for an investigation, including water testing and targeted destructive testing. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for investigation protocols that hold up to scrutiny from clients, opposing counsel, and the court.

Speaker(s): Christine Diosdado, PE, SGH, Lonnie Houghton, AVELAR

11:05 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Break & Exhibitor Networking

11:25 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. PHASE 3 –Cost of Repair in Construction Litigation

Description:

Legal Standard – Definition and jurisdictional framework
Identifying Repairs – What defects require repair and scope determination
Cost Estimation – Methods, market rates, and reasonableness
Common Disputes – Double-counting, overlapping repairs, temporary vs. permanent solutions
Documentation & Support – Evidence needed to substantiate estimates
Expert Analysis – Methodology, assumptions, and testimony challenges
Case Application – Practical use in settlement and litigation

Speaker(s): Bill Mann, HOA Advocate, Mike S. Carithers, GC (B), Engineered Research Group

12:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Headshots, & Exhibitor Networking

1:15 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. PHASE 4 – Depositions and Trial

Description: Party and third party depositions, expert depositions, and expert testimony at trial/arbitration hearing. This session will address working with experts to solidify the basis for opinions, deposition prep and conduct, reports vs PP vs opinion summary/outline, and preparing and presenting expert testimony at trial.

Takeaways:

Work with experts to learn what information the expert needs to solidify basis for opinions and work with the client to firm up facts you think might come out in deposition to supplement your early fact discovery.
Deposition prep and conduct during deposition, including preserving opinion in case you need them at trial, key docs and discovery at expert’s fingertips, and what to do when you don’t know or don’t remember an answer.
Trial testimony prep and conduct during trial testimony, including direct vs cross examination and redirect, presentation prepared early, and 402 hearings/in limine motions impact of testimony.

Speaker(s): Glen Van Dyke, Esq., Van Dyke Litigation & Trial Attorneys PC

1:55 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PHASE 5 – Insurance Coverage

Description: Wrap policies and construction defect claims - More information coming soon!
Speaker(s): Dave Miller, IMA Insurance, John Heck, Van De Poel & Levy LLP

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Afternoon Break & Exhibitor Networking

2:45 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. PHASE 6 – Prioritizing Repairs & Value Engineering in Post-SB800 Claims

Description:

SB800 Framework – Statutory defect categories and repair hierarchies
Prioritization Hierarchy – Life safety → Habitability → Structural → Code compliance → Cosmetic
Value Engineering Basics – Definition, methodologies, and application to repairs
Cost-Benefit Analysis – Evaluating repair options for efficiency and cost reduction
Alternative Solutions – Temporary vs. permanent fixes, repair vs. replace decisions
Sequencing & Dependencies – Repair order impact on total cost and prioritization
Scope Optimization – Eliminating unnecessary work while meeting SB800 standards
Cost Reduction Strategies – Phasing, bundling, and efficient contractor selection
Defensibility – Justifying prioritization and value engineering choices to opposing parties
Dispute Management – Handling challenges to repair priorities and cost-saving measures
Case Application – Practical examples and settlement leverage

Speaker(s): Bill Mann, HOA Advocate, Rana Bayadi, Cedar Construction Management and Consulting

3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks & Sponsor Recognition

Companies must book sponsorship no later than 10 business days prior to this event in order to guarantee signage at the event (One of each sponsorship available unless noted otherwise.)

Table Sponsor - $1500 (4/6 Available)

Includes one (1) attendee; more may be purchased at attendee price. Early Bird Special Until September 30th - $1500 Standard Pricing $1795

Registration Table for 9 Sponsor

Badges Sponsor $1000 (1 Available) SOLD OUT!

Logo on all attendee badges

Lanyard Sponsor (1 Available)

Company logo on lanyards for event!

Photographer Sponsor $1000 (1 Available) SOLD OUT!

Sponsor the complimentary headshots happening during lunch! Sponsor logo on badge for photographer, and in email to attendees with headshots link.

Lunch Sponsor $1,000 (1/4 Available)

Signage on buffet, includes two (2) attendees

Program Sponsor $1000 (1 Available)

Includes one (1) attendee ticket. Sponsor a specific session of symposium! Company representative introduces speakers and self (1 minute hello).

Breakfast Sponsor $750 (4 Available)

Signage on buffet

Electricity Sponsor $750 (4/4 Available)

Westcon will supply table tent with Company logo on attendee tables.

Internet Sponsor $750 (1 Available) SOLD OUT!

Everyone loves having Wifi - supply that need.

Break Sponsor $750 (2 Available)

Coffee helps people learn! Sponsor a coffee break. Company logo on coffee station.

Speaker Gift Sponsor (1 Available) SOLD OUT!

*Only credits will be given after purchase of symposium sponsorship/ticket, no refunds. Cancellation for credit through October 25th

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2026 Westcon Symposium (November 06, 2026)