Atty. Samuel L. McDermott
Sam McDermott is the managing partner of WSHB’s Orange County office. With an extensive background in litigation, Sam's expertise covers various practice areas at both the state and federal levels.
Profile Summary
About Samuel L. McDermott at a glance
Samuel L. McDermott is a Partner based in Aliso Viejo, California, practicing at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on employment, business, product liability, litigation, and environmental. Admitted to practice in California (1995). Educated at University of Southern California (J.D., 1995) and University of San Diego (B.A., 1989). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Aliso Viejo, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Sam McDermott is the managing partner of WSHB’s Orange County office
- With an extensive background in litigation, Sam's expertise covers various practice areas at both the state and federal levels
- He excels in handling complex construction, tort, and environmental issues, as well as employment, transportation, habitability and toxic tort litigation
- A versatile litigator, Sam brings his singularly focused strategic handling to each matter, with an eye towards achieving top results
- An experienced trial lawyer, Sam is strategic in the early identification of key evidence and potentially dispositive motions
- His thorough preparation is key in early resolution of matters, and successful presentation of those matters which proceed to trial and verdict
- As a trusted advisor, Sam provides invaluable guidance to landowners, developers, property managers, private construction companies, and risk managers
- He handles high-exposure, high profile construction matters for both commercial and residential developers and general contractors, tackling issues emanating during the construction sequence such as defaults, mechanic liens, workplace regulation, and catastrophic injury, as well as post project completion issues, such as delay and defect claims
- His breadth of experience also extends to diverse industries, including co-ops, associations, small businesses, rental property owners, common carriers, and public entities
- Sam's consultations encompass business, management, litigation, transportation, and employment practices, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws
- In his litigation practice, Sam is known for his vigorous representation
- He aggressively advocates in a broad range disputes, including construction delay claims, design professional liability, workplace injuries, premises liability, habitability, auto accidents, construction defects, construction quality issues, prevailing wage claims, and workplace regulations
- Sam is also well-versed in handling surety matters, including payment and performance bond claims, mechanic's lien release bonds, litigation bonds, surety takeovers, and defaults on construction projects
- Sam is widely sought out for his expertise in risk management and litigation
- He is well known as a prolific speaker and thought leader on emerging issues
- With his unwavering dedication and comprehensive knowledge, Sam McDermott is an invaluable asset to our firm
- Trust him to provide exceptional legal counsel and representation for all your legal needs
- Experience •D’Orsay International Partners v
- Superior Court (2004) 123 Cal.App.4th 836 Rodriguez v
- American Technologies (2006) 136 Cal.App. 4th 1110 •Employer Unable to Enforce Arbitration Agreement 1.11.22 Newsroom Events, Seminars & Speaking Engagements •The New Reality of Construction Risk in a 3-D World, CLM Management and Professional Liability Conference, 2017 •Sorting It Out: Who Owns Design When CMAR, Design-Assist and BIM Come Together, AGC Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management, 2016 •Whose Design Is It Anyway?, West Coast Casualty, 2016
- IRMI Construction Risk Conference, 2015
- Construction Super Conference, 2015
- AGC California Annual Conference, 2015 Community Community Activities •Actively involved in representing poor and disadvantaged litigants through the Public Law Center •Recipient of the Wiley W. Manuel Award for excellence in providing legal services to the disadvantaged (2010) In the News •Employer Unable to Enforce Arbitration Agreement, Honors & Recognitions •Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (2004 - 2007) •AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Practice Areas Explained
Samuel L. McDermott's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Samuel L. McDermott handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Samuel L. McDermott is one of 151,622 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Samuel L. McDermott is one of 452,854 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Samuel L. McDermott is one of 60,257 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Samuel L. McDermott is one of 409,070 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Samuel L. McDermott is one of 50,776 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Aliso Viejo are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Aliso Viejo or all attorneys in California.
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