Maria J. Giardina concentrates her practice on the prosecution and defense of construction-related disputes. Ms. Giardina provides claims analysis and litigation services on a wide variety of matters involving contract claims, payment disputes, mechanics' liens, unfair bidding, unfair competition and antitrust violations, false claims, and design and construction defects.
Maria J. Giardina concentrates her practice on the prosecution and defense of construction-related disputes. Ms. Giardina provides claims analysis and litigation services on a wide variety of matters involving contract claims, payment disputes, mechanics' liens, unfair bidding, unfair competition and antitrust violations, false claims, and design and construction defects.
Ms. Giardina has represented owners, developers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, project managers, design professionals and product manufacturers and distributors in both commercial and residential construction projects for more than 15 years. She advises owners and contractors on contract negotiations, employing preventative measures to resolve disputes short of litigation as well as monitoring compliance with legal requirements.
Ms. Giardina has successfully tried many construction cases in Northern California, including complex cases involving multimillion-dollar claims. She recently defeated a million-dollar contract claim against an engineering firm. Ms. Giardina also has experience in construction-related appeals.
Affiliations, Activities and Accomplishments
Ms. Giardina is a member of the National Women In Construction (NAWIC) and is the Chair of the Education Committee for the San Francisco Chapter. She earned the San Francisco Chapter national recognition for Overall Construction Professional Education, Outstanding Achievement for Best Educational Event for Women in Construction Week 2010 and was voted Member of the Year of the San Francisco Chapter for 2009-2010.
Ms. Giardina was a speaker at the 2009 Construction Super Conference (San Francisco), session entitled "Business Ethics Models for Contractors Performing on Government Projects" and has written on compliance with FAR Regulations.
Ms. Giardina is a member of the litigation section of the State Bar of California.
Education and Internships
Ms. Giardina was awarded a B.A. (1974) in literature and theater arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her J.D. (1982) was earned at Golden Gate University School of Law. She served as a summer intern to Justice Barry Deal, California Court of Appeals.