Deborah S. Ballati

Farella Braun + Martel LLP, San Francisco, USA

Deborah S. Ballati has a broad civil and commercial litigation practice with an emphasis on construction and insurance coverage.  Ms. Ballati was recognized as one of the leading construction attorneys in California in the 2004 Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Attorneys.

In her construction litigation practice, Ms. Ballati has represented companies involved in virtually all aspects of the construction industry, including owners, contractors, design professionals, subcontractors and sureties. Her cases have included delay and defect claims arising out of commercial, residential and heavy civil construction projects, contract drafting and negotiation and insurance matters related to construction. Her clients include the University of California, the Port of Oakland, CH2M Hill, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc.

In her insurance coverage practice, Ms. Ballati has represented policyholders in pursuing coverage under all types of insurance policies, including primary and excess general liability policies, property policies, professional liability policies and employment practices liability policies.  She has also helped design, negotiate, place and implement environmental insurance for the Fleet Industrial Supply Center, Oakland (FISCO), a number of FOSET transfers from the U.S. military, and has assisted a client in designing the Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) for a $1 billion capital improvement program.