Jim Houston

As an in-house Construction Consultant at Ashbaugh Beal, I work directly with both the Firm’s clients and attorneys in the prevention, analysis and resolution of construction disputes. This work includes the preparation and presentation of claims and claim defenses. My claim analyses include all aspects of entitlement evaluation and damage calculation.

Before I joined Ashbaugh Beal in 2001, I acquired 25 years of construction and design experience. In the 1970’s, I gained hands-on experience working as a carpenter and laborer in the residential construction industry. After earning my BS from the University of Washington in 1981, I began my management career in commercial general contracting. My responsibilities started with estimating and project management and eventually lead to senior management and operations roles.

My commercial construction experience includes civil work and building construction in both the public and private sectors. I have extensive experience in both new construction and renovation work. I’ve been responsible for the procurement and completion of projects under the full range of construction contract formats (hard bid, negotiated, CM, and design-build). I’m also a registered architect in the State of Washington.

While employed as a commercial general contractor, I successfully negotiated and resolved hundreds of disputes involving subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, owners, public agencies and adjacent property owners. At Ashbaugh Beal, I use my construction industry knowledge and past experience to assist clients in the prevention and resolution of construction disputes.