Candace L. Matson

Candace L. Matson is Of Counsel in Sheppard Mullin's Los Angeles office where she is a member of the Business Trial, Real Estate, and Finance & Bankruptcy Practice Groups, and leads the firm's Chambers and Best Law Firms ranked Construction Team.

Advocacy, Advice & Transactional Services

Candace represents owners, lenders, investment funds, contractors, design professionals and others as an advocate in a wide range of private and public contexts relating to design and construction. The subject of such representation includes:

Preconstruction phase: assistance with requests for proposals and bid packages; prosecuting and defending against bid protests; negotiation, drafting and review of build-to-suit agreements, contracts for construction, architectural and engineering services, construction management, and procurement services; advice regarding construction loans, insurance (title and liability), surety issues and licensing.

Construction phase: advice regarding contract compliance, project documentation, and mechanics lien law; early dispute resolution.

Post-construction phase: mediation, arbitration and litigation of disputes, including extra and changed work claims; delay, disruption and acceleration claims; design professionals liens, mechanics liens and stop payment notice claims; construction defect claims; insurance and surety bond claims; assistance with title insurance issues, including obtaining defense, indemnity and clean title.

Service as Neutral

Candace serves as an arbitrator and mediator of construction disputes, both privately and through the auspices of various ADR providers.

Honors

Pro Bono Award, Public Counsel, 2020

Top Minority Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2020

Construction Law, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2020-2025

Robert B. Flaig Award (2019 Outstanding Construction Lawyer), Los Angeles County Construction Bar

Construction, Chambers USA, 2015-2021

Real Estate and Construction, Legal 500 US, 2013, 2015-2021

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton Diversity & Inclusion Award, 2015

Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent

Articles

Books

Candace L. Matson, Douglas L. Patin, Amy E. Garber, Payment Rights and Remedies (Chap. 10) in Construction Law:  State and Local Projects (ABA 2017)

Robert. B. Flaig, Candace L. Matson, Representing the Owner (Chap. 8) in California Mechanics Liens and Related Construction Remedies [CEB 3rd Ed. 2010)

Candace L. Matson, Helen Lauderdale, Representing the Owner (Chap. 8) in California Mechanics Liens and Related Construction Remedies [CEB 4th Ed. (Published 2011; Updates 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)]

Candace L. Matson, Alan Hugh Martin, Representing the Construction Lender (Chap. 11) in California Mechanics Liens and Related Construction Remedies [CEB 4th Ed. (Published 2011; Updates 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)]

Articles 

Candace L. Matson, Landmark Contractor Licensing Case Limits Disgorgement Remedy in California, Nat’l Ass’n of Surety Bond Producers, NABP Website (October 2020)

Candace L. Matson, A Primer on Construction Surety Bonds, 29 CEB Cal Bus L Prac 53 (Spring 2014) 

Harold E. Hamersmith, Helen Lauderdale, Candace L. Matson, The Year 2010 in Review: Design and Construction Defects Litigation, Construction Defect Journal (Issue 242749, March 28, 2011) 

Candace L. Matson, The Disgorgement Penalty - Another Warning to Maintain Proper Licensure, AGCC California Constructor Journal (March 2010)

Candace L. Matson, The Parameters of Mediation Confidentiality in California, CEB Website (V. 25, March 2008)

Candace L. Matson, New Legislation Affects Allocation of Risk in Residential Construction  Contracts, CEB Website (V. 17, April 2006) 

Harold E. Hamersmith, Helen Lauderdale, Candace L. Matson, The Year 2004 in Review: Construction Law Update, Los Angeles County Bar Real Property Section Review (Spring 2005)

Harold E. Hamersmith, Helen Lauderdale, Candace L. Matson, The Year 2003 in Review: Construction Law Update, Los Angeles County Bar Real Property Section Review (Spring 2004)

Candace L. Matson (co-author), AB 544: Some Temporary Labor Service Agencies Now Qualify as Contractors, Associated General Contractors of California (December 2003)

Candace L. Matson, New Construction Defect Litigation, Associated General Contractors of California (Legal Brief 03-01 2003)

Harold E. Hamersmith, Helen Lauderdale, Candace L. Matson, The Year 2001 in Review: Annual Construction Law Update, Daily Journal (Los Angeles and San Francisco, April 5, 2002)

Harold E. Hamersmith, Helen Lauderdale, Candace L. Matson, The Year 2000 in Review: Annual Construction Law Update, Associated General Contractors of California (Legal Brief 01-06 2001)

Candace L. Matson, Say What You Mean, Associated General Contractors of California (Legal Brief 01-03 2001)

Candace L. Matson (co-author), E-mail and Beyond: Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Benefits of Electronic Communication, Associated General Contractors of California (Legal Brief 99-4 1999); CMAA Southern California News (November 1999)

Candace L. Matson (co-author), High Court Puts End to California's Peculiar Twist on Peculiar Risk, California Construction Law Reporter (October 1993)

Blog Posts

Candace L. Matson, "Landmark Contractor Licensing Case Limits Disgorgement Remedy in California" (September 2020)

Candace L. Matson, "Avoiding Disaster Due to Improper Licensing" (February 2019)

Nora Stilestein, Candace L. Matson, Mercedes Cook, “Direct Contractors in California Should Take Steps Now to Reduce Exposure for Unpaid Wages by Subcontractors” (February 2018)

Speaking Engagements

• USC Ross Minority Program in Real Estate, “Construction Budgeting,” Zoom Panel, July 2020
• California Construction Law Seminar, "Introduction to Construction Bonds and Subcontractor Default Insurance," Santa Monica, March 2019
• The Nature Conservancy, "Managing Risk and Preventing Claims Through Smart Contracts," National Webcast, November 2017
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Real Property Section, "Bonds, Subcontractor Default Insurance & Wrap Insurance," Los Angeles, April 2017
• West Coast Casualty Defect Seminar, "Courtroom Trials, Arbitrations and Judicial References: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly," Anaheim, May 2016
• American Bar Association Forum on Construction, Regional Program on Construction Contracts, "Payment Provisions," Los Angeles, February 2016
• USC Gould School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Contract Drafting, Analysis and Negotiation Class, "Risk Allocation in Contracting," September 2015
• California Mortgage Association, "Overview of California Mechanics Lien and Stop Payment Notice Law Issues for Construction Lenders," Costa Mesa, February 2015
• The Rutter Group, "Construction Project Payment Disputes," San Francisco & Los Angeles, May 2014
• WPL Publishing Co., "Mitigating and Managing Construction Claims," Webinar, April 2014
• Pacific Life Insurance Company, "Payment and Performance Bonds vs. Subcontractor Default Insurance," Newport Beach, April 2014
• UC Irvine, Guest Lecturer, Real Estate Development Class, "Construction Contracts," February 2014
• Nemetschek Vector Works, BIM Camp, "Owner/Architect Contract Issues," Irvine and Los Angeles, May 2013
• USC Gould School of Law Real Estate & Business Forum, "The Impact of SB 474 on Indemnity (and Insurance) in Construction Contracts," Los Angeles, March 2013
• Lorman Education Services, "Preventing and Managing Construction Claims," Audio Conference, November 2013, June and December 2012
• US Bank National Association, "Overview of California Mechanics Lien and Stop Payment Notice Law," Newport Beach, July 2012
• County Counsels' Association of California, Public Works/Hazmat, "Defending Construction Claims," Palm Springs, May 2012
• Interface Net Lease West, "What's in the Development Pipeline for NNN Product and How are Deals Getting Financed?" Los Angeles, March 2012
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Real Property Section, "Indemnity and Insurance in Construction Contracts: The Impact of SB 474," Los Angeles, January 2012
• American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section, 12th Annual Spring Conference, "Resolving Construction Disputes in the Recession 'Trifecta' (No Money, No Insurance, No Customers)," San Francisco, April 2010
• American Arbitration Association University Construction Conference, "Maximizing ADR Advocacy for Today’s Economy," Los Angeles, November 2009
• 28th Annual California Real Property Retreat, "Remedial Strategies for the Troubled Construction Project," Squaw Valley, May 16, 2009
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Construction Subsection, "Annual Construction Law Update," Los Angeles, annually, February 2001 - 2016
• California Homebuilders Foundation, "Mechanic's Liens, Stop Notices, Bonds, and Other Special Remedies in California," Santa Ana, May 2008
• Union Bank of California, "California Mechanic's Lien Law as it Affects Lenders," Irvine, April 2008
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Construction Subsection: "Annual Construction ADR Update," Los Angeles, March 2008
• Union Bank of California, "California Mechanic's Lien Law as it Affects Lenders," Los Angeles, February 2008
• Lorman Education Services, Moderator, "Construction Law From Contract to Closeout in California;" Speaker, "Mechanic's Liens and Stop Notices," Pasadena, December 2007
• American Arbitration Association, The Construction Mediation Conference: What You Can't Not Know, "The Parameters of Mediation Confidentiality in California," Marina Del Rey, November 2007
• California Homebuilders Foundation, "Mechanic's Liens, Stop Notices, Bonds, and Other Special Remedies in California," Santa Ana, May and October 2007
• Building Industry Association & California Homebuilders Foundation, "Mechanic's Liens, Stop Notices, Bonds, and Other Special Remedies in California," Van Nuys, October 2007
• Bank of America, "A Review of Selected Creditor's Rights Issues for California Commercial Real Estate Lenders," Los Angeles, September 2007
• IQPC Commercial Construction Law, "Drafting a Commercial Construction Contract from the Owner's Perspective," Boston, July 2006
• 25th Annual California Real Property Retreat, "Licensing Traps and Issues: The Fallout from Vallejo Development," Newport Beach, April 2006
• Pepperdine University/AAA/LACBA, "Avoiding and Resolving Construction Claims," Malibu, September 2004
• Host, AGC of California Legal Advisory Committee Annual Retreat, Carmel, September 2004
• Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, "Hot Topics in Construction Law," Malibu, September 2003
• 22nd Annual California Real Property Retreat, "AIA Construction Contract Forms," Silverado, May 2003
• 19th AGC of California Legal Advisory Committee Annual Retreat, "Critical Developments in 2002 Construction Law," Carmel, September 2002
• National Association of Women in Construction - Region 12, "A Primer on Mold," Los Angeles, August 2002

Memberships

Member, CEB Real Property Advisory Committee

Member (Allied Affiliate), AIA Los Angeles

Member, Construction Industry Forum, American Bar Association

Member and Former Chair, Construction Subsection, Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member, Litigation Section Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member and Former Chair, Legal Advisory Committee, Associated General Contractors of California

Former Member, Legislative Committee, Associated General Contractors of California

Former Los Angeles Region Board Member, Associated General Contractors of California

Former Executive Board Member, Women Construction Owners & Executives, USA (California Chapter)

Former Director, National Association of Women in Construction

Former Executive Board Member, California Dispute Resolution Council

Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers

Member, California Women Lawyers

Member, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Board of Governors Member, Former Co-President, LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles

Co-Chair, Out at Sheppard

Member, Sheppard Mullin Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Council

Chair, Legal Council, The Williams Institute

Former Trustee, Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance