Expert Witness Services
Interior Design &
Construction Expert Witness
Nationally recognized interior designer and construction professional retained in high-value litigation involving luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial projects.
Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP, NCIDQ
Why Attorneys Retain Lori
Clear Opinions.
Courtroom Credibility.
Attorneys retain Lori Dennis because she reduces risk. Her testimony is grounded in decades of real-world practice, delivered with the clarity and composure trial teams require.
- Retained on high-profile matters involving luxury residential, mixed-use, and hospitality projects across the country
- Known for clear, defensible opinions grounded in industry standards, building codes, and professional standards of care
- Experienced working directly with trial teams — from initial case review through cross-examination
- Calm, articulate, and credible under deposition and cross-examination
- Equally effective for plaintiff and defense, with a track record that demonstrates objectivity and analytical rigor
Expert Witness Experience
Deep Expertise Across Design & Construction
Decades of hands-on practice across residential, commercial, and hospitality projects provide the foundation for defensible, standards-based expert opinions.
Interior Design
Space planning, specification, contracts, documentation, and professional standards of care for residential and commercial interiors.
Construction & Remodeling
Construction management, contractor oversight, scope of work, scheduling, and defect analysis for renovations and new builds.
Luxury Residential
High-value single-family, multi-family, and estate projects with complex specifications and elevated standards of care.
Hospitality & Commercial
Hotels, restaurants, mixed-use developments, and commercial tenant improvement projects.
Building Codes & Compliance
Title 24, ADA, OSHA, ANSI standards, fire codes, and habitability requirements in California and nationally.
Fenestration, Envelope & Mold
Windows, doors, skylights, roof glazing, fall-through hazards, water intrusion, mold infestation, and building envelope failures — informed by direct manufacturing and installation expertise.
Retail, Venues & Public Spaces
Premises liability in retail environments, restaurants, bars, theaters, and event venues — including shelving and display hazards, lighting adequacy, stair and egress safety, flooring conditions, and crowd flow.
Exterior & Site Conditions
Sidewalk and walkway trip hazards, exterior hardscape, pavement and grading defects, outdoor lighting adequacy, and site drainage failures.
Intellectual Property & Design Rights
Designer photography and image ownership, work product disputes, trade dress, publication rights, copyright of design concepts, and unauthorized use of proprietary design materials.
Representative Counsel
Trusted by Leading
Law Firms
Lori has been retained by top insurance defense and plaintiff firms on complex design and construction litigation.
- Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
- Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
- Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell
- Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger
- Baker, Keener & Nahra, LLP
- Fairfield and Woods, P.C.
- Cohen Dowd Quigley
- Ramos Law
- Hoge Fenton
- Mirch Law Firm LLP
Full case list and references available upon request.
Industry Partnerships
Recognized by leading brands as an authority in luxury design, construction specification, and manufacturing standards.
Fee Schedule
Expert Witness
Fee Structure
Professional rates reflect the depth of expertise, preparation, and courtroom-ready analysis delivered on every engagement.
| Document review & consulting | $600 / hour |
| Expert report preparation | $600 / hour |
| Deposition testimony | $600 / hour |
| Travel (non-working) | $300 / hour |
| Travel (actively working) | $600 / hour |
| Trial testimony | $750 / hour |
Fee schedule provided upon engagement; retainer required. Available to work nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Witness FAQ
Can an interior designer testify as an expert witness?
Yes. Interior designers may testify as expert witnesses when their opinions are based on specialized knowledge, education, training, and professional experience. Courts routinely accept qualified interior design experts in matters involving standard of care, design practices, documentation, habitability, and construction-related disputes.
What qualifies Lori Dennis as an expert witness?
Lori Dennis has more than 30 years of professional experience as a practicing interior designer and construction professional and has served as an expert witness since 2011 on high-profile matters involving luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial projects.
Does Lori Dennis work for both plaintiffs and defense?
Yes. Lori Dennis is retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel and provides opinions based solely on industry standards, professional practice, documentation, and case facts, regardless of the retaining party.
Has Lori Dennis testified in depositions and at trial?
Yes. Lori Dennis has experience providing sworn deposition testimony and trial testimony and works closely with counsel to ensure opinions are clearly articulated and well supported.
Does Lori Dennis work on contingency?
No. Expert witness services are provided on a non-contingent basis only. Compensation is not dependent on the outcome of the case.
Contact
Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP, NCIDQ
Interior Design & Construction Expert Witness — Available Nationally