Four days before trial began in San Jose, Rai Fink Ebner trial attorney Darren Ebner was retained to take over as lead trial counsel in a $1.7 million construction defect case involving a range of alleged defects and exposure for improper contractor’s licensing. The lawsuit named only two defendants, each facing joint and several liability.

After a month-long trial began, the firm’s client reached a $300,000 settlement following extensive negotiations, which the court approved as being in good faith on an ex parte basis — substantially reducing the client’s risk. The opposing defendant proceeded through the entire 30-day trial and received a $1.4 million judgment from the jury.