The Role of an Expert Witness in Construction & Design Disputes 

As a practicing interior designer, construction company owner, and windows and doors retailer, I don’t theorize from a desk. I testify based on what actually happens on job sites, in contracts, and during inspections—because I’ve lived it.

When attorneys bring me into a case, it’s usually because something went sideways, and they need someone who can clearly explain what should have happened, what actually happened, and why it matters legally.

Let me break down where expert testimony makes the biggest difference.

Lori Dennis ASID, LEED AP, NCIDQ – Expert Witness in Interior Design & Construction

1. Construction Defects That Should Never Have Happened

These are my bread and butter cases.

Examples I regularly analyze and testify on:

1. Improper waterproofing leading to mold or structural damage

2. Incorrect window and door installation causing air, water, or energy failures

3. Finish materials installed outside manufacturer specifications

4. Trades blaming each other while the owner is stuck holding the bill

Because I’ve run construction teams myself, I can identify whether a defect stems from:

• Design errors

• Installation failures

• Poor supervision

• Or flat-out ignored industry standards

Courts don’t want vague blame—they want clear causation.

2. Building Code & Title 24 Compliance (Yes, I Speak Fluent Code)

California attorneys often call me when cases involve:

• Title 24 energy compliance

• Residential and commercial code violations

• ADA and accessibility disputes

• “Passed inspection” arguments that don’t hold up under scrutiny

Here’s the truth I explain in depositions all the time:
Passing inspection does not equal proper construction.

I help lawyers demonstrate where:

• Codes were misunderstood

• Performance requirements were ignored

• Energy or safety standards were technically violated—even if unnoticed initially

Judges and juries respond well when codes are explained clearly, calmly, and without jargon.

3. Contract Disputes Between Owners, Contractors & Designers

Contracts are where good intentions go to die.

I’m frequently retained to evaluate:

1. Scope-of-work discrepancies

2. Change order disputes

3. Ambiguous design responsibility

4. Means-and-methods conflicts

Because I operate on both sides of the table—design and construction—I help clarify:

• Who actually controlled the work

• What was reasonably foreseeable

• Whether industry-standard practices were followed

This is often where cases turn.

Lawyers don’t need drama. They need credibility.

What I bring:

• ✔️ 30+ years of hands-on experience

• ✔️ Active industry involvement (not retired, not theoretical)

• ✔️ Clear, persuasive testimony judges understand

• ✔️ Real-world examples juries relate to

I don’t advocate—I educate. And that makes all the difference.

If your case involves construction defects, design failures, code compliance, or contract disputes, I’m happy to review the facts and tell you—straight up—whether expert testimony will help.

👉 Schedule a confidential expert consultation at loridennis.com

Because the best cases are built on facts, not finger-pointing.