Experience
For most of his thirty-plus years of practice, Howard Carsman, a shareholder in Bullivant's Portland office, has focused on construction and development. A litigator for many years, he now counsels owners in the delivery of projects and in the management of their capital programs. He also advises design professionals and general contractors on project delivery and a wide range of risk management issues, including insurance and bonding and the resolution of disputes and claims.
Among his owner clients are private commercial developers and non-profits, the latter ranging from a large national faith-based organization to private colleges. The architects include both large national and local firms, and his general contractor clients range from small to medium sized local and regional companies.
Since 1996, Howard has served as a mediator and arbitrator, and as a facilitator for troubled projects. He also functions as a special master for complex construction litigation. He applies his many years of litigation experience and his knowledge of construction and development to the resolution of disputes, ranging from delay claims to multi-party construction defect litigation.
Howard was one of the first attorneys in the Northwest to become a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). He brings his knowledge of and commitment to green building and sustainability to all of his clients and their projects, ranging from traditional construction projects to renewable energy generating facilities.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Howard received his BA in history in 1976 from California State University at Northridge and his J.D. in 1979 from UC Davis. He was admitted to the Idaho Bar in 1979 and to the Oregon Bar in 1986. He is also admitted to the US District Court in both states and to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Howard speaks and writes frequently on the subjects of construction, risk management, project management, and dispute resolution. He has served as Counsel to the Board for the Oregon Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), and is a member of the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry and TIPS Fidelity and Surety Law Committee and the ADR section of the ABA.