John D. Darling

Overview

Experience

John Darling is an effective senior commercial litigator with a nationwide practice focused on the resolution of construction and commercial real estate conflicts and on complex business litigation across numerous industry groups and business sectors. Mr. Darling has successfully represented large and small business entities, business owners and operators, construction companies and independent contractors and sub-contractors, financial institutions, real estate investors and their affiliates. He serves as lead counsel on every case and efficiently manages a talented and well-respected team of attorneys who tirelessly support his clients’ efforts. A seasoned courtroom veteran, Mr. Darling has tried more than 100 cases throughout California and the United States.  Clients benefit from his keen understanding of what it takes to win at trial, whether in front of a judge or an impaneled jury. Mr. Darling is equally adept at alternative dispute resolution, with a significant portion of his client’s success coming from either mandatory or elective arbitration proceedings. Whether in court or out, Mr. Darling has adeptly handled everything from incidental matters to ones where the amount in controversy exceeded $70M. Mr. Darling has steadfastly partnered with clients to weather the unprecedented losses that the commercial real estate and construction industries experienced throughout the country, and particularly in Southern California. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Darling owned a construction business giving him unique and valuable industry savvy and an intuitive business sense, all of which inform his counsel as he guides clients through damage and risk assessment while crafting a successful path forward. Mr. Darling regularly keynotes seminars and lectures on construction law topics for the Western Council of Construction Consumers, Associated General Contractors of California and the Los Angeles County Bar. He has served as chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Subsection on Construction Law.

Education

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
• University of New Mexico, Bachelor of Arts

Bars + Courts

• California
• United States District Court of California, Northern
• United States District Court of California, Southern
• United States District Court of California, Western
• United States District Court of California, Eastern
• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Practice Areas

• Collection Actions
• Business & Commercial Law
• Disputes & Litigation, Commercial
• Construction Consulting
• Construction Contracts & Bid Documents
• Disputes & Litigation, Construction
• Insurance & Suretyship
• Real Estate Law
• Class Action Program (CAP)

Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association- Real Property Section and Construction Subsection Chair (2002-2004)
• Southern California Contactors Association- Legislative Advisory Committee (2006-Present)
• Santa Anita Soccer Club- Board of Directors (2010-Present)

Honors

• Named Top Litigator by the Los Angeles Business Journal
• Selected as Best Lawyer 2010 – 2019
• Selected as Super Lawyer 2007 – 2019
• AV Preeminent Rating 5.0 out of 5 – Martindale – Hubbell
• Pasadena Top Attorney sponsored by Pasadena Magazine 2010 – 2014
• Lorman Education Services Distinguished Faculty

John Darling

News + Publications

• Ortmann and Darling Named Top Litigators
• Hunt Ortmann Represents Mallcraft Inc. in a US $15 Million Settlement against the Glendale Community College District
  Hunt Ortmann Named Among 2018 Best Law Firms
• CA Supreme Court Finds CEQA Applicable to Publically Owned Rail Projects – Western Real Estate Business
• Send a Raven: More CEQA Litigation is Coming
• Guirguis Added to Hunt Ortmann Super Lawyers in 2015
• 2013 Super Lawyers Announced! Hunt Ortmann Holds Ground
• Hunt Ortmann Sponsors Huntington Hospital Charity
• 2012 Pasadena Top Attorneys Announced!
• Ortmann and Darling Named 2013 U.S. News Best Lawyers!
• 2012 “Super Lawyers” Released- Hunt Ortmann Continues to Dominate Construction Category for Third Straight Year!
• Hunt Ortmann Launches New Class Action Practice Division
• Hunt Ortmann is Honored with 2011 Pasadena Top Attorney Selection
• Hunt Ortmann Scores Again With 2012 U.S. News “Best Lawyers” Rankings
• Hunt Named 2011 Los Angeles Construction Lawyer of the Year!
• Hunt Ortmann Continues to Support Pasadena Community in 2011
• 2011 “Super Lawyers”- Hunt Ortmann Leads Construction Category for the Second Straight Year!
• Hunt, Ortmann and Darling named 2011 “Best Lawyers”
• 2010 “SuperLawyers” – Hunt Ortmann Tops Construction Category
• Hunt, Ortmann and Darling Named 2010 “Best Lawyers”
• Darling appointed to AYSO Board
• Seven (7) Hunt Ortmann attorneys named as 2008 “SuperLawyers” by Law and Politics
• Pasadena construction litigation boutique changes name and re-brands as Hunt Ortmann
• Hunt Ortmann set to present “Construction Law Update” seminar for SCCA

Speaking Engagements + Seminars

 

• Construction Law Update
• Best Practices in Bidding Construction Contracts
• Drafting Airtight AIA Contracts: Proven Strategies for Complex Projects
• AIA Contracts Crash Course: Understand the Key Provisions Before You Sign the Contract
• Stay Ahead of the Game: Mechanic’s Liens, Stop Payment Notices, and Payment Bond Claims in California
• Changes in California Mechanics Lien Laws, Including SB 474 Indemnity Provisions- Pacific Southwest Chapter
• Changes in California Mechanics Lien Laws, Including SB 474 Indemnity Provisions- Golden Gate Chapter
• Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues in California
• Joint Association Insurance Risk Transfer & Lien Law Seminar- Ontario
• AIA Contracts: How to Negotiate Provisions and Mitigate Risk
• Bids, Plans, & Specifications and Key Contract Terms
• Claims: Liens, Stop Notices, Bonds, Delay & Disruption, Termination
• AIA Contracts- Santa Ana
• Bids, Plans, & Specifications and Key Contract Terms
• Protect Your Lien Rights Under the New Law! Sponsored by the Southern CA Contractors Association
• Bid Protests: A Legal Seminar
• AGC of California- Legal Advisory Committee, Annual Legal Retreat
• What Construction Lawyers Need to Know About the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) and What It Will Mean for Clients (Webinar)
• Construction / insurance: The Instant Impact of Fortney & Weygandt, Inc. v. Am. Mfrs. Mutual Insurance Co. On Construction Lawyers and the Scope of Defective-Workmanship Exclusions in General Contractor CGL Policies (webinar)
• Construction Contracts: The 10 Most Important Terms (Long Beach)
• Construction Contracts: The 10 Most Important Terms (webinar)
• AIA Contracts- Santa Ana
• Effective Project Management – Addressing Risk Head On
• AIA Contracts- Pasadena
• Evaluation and Resolution of Delay and Extra Work Claims in California
• Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations in California
• Public Construction Contracts & The Bonding Process for Contract Bonds in California
• California Public Works Construction: New and Dramatic Legal Changes
• Construction Project Management
• Continuing Education of the Bar- Construction Law and Disputes
• AIA Contracts- Pasadena