About Dr. James Mitchell
Dr. James Mitchell is a structural engineer with more than 25 years of experience in forensic engineering, expert witness work, and litigation consulting. He specializes in investigating construction defects, structural failures, and building code compliance issues.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mitchell has been retained in 150+ litigation matters involving construction defects and structural failures. His cases have involved disputes exceeding $2 billion in total value, ranging from single-family residential properties to large commercial complexes.
Dr. Mitchell is known for thorough, objective analysis, clear communication of complex engineering concepts, and credible expert testimony. He maintains the highest standards of professional integrity and has never had his expert testimony excluded or his professional license questioned.
Professional Focus
- Construction Defects: Water intrusion, foundation failures, structural cracking, framing defects
- Structural Failures: Collapsed structures, cracking, settling, seismic damage
- Forensic Analysis: Root cause investigation, failure analysis, causation determination
- Building Code Compliance: Code application, standards evolution, specification compliance
- Litigation Consulting: Case assessment, expert preparation, deposition and trial testimony
Areas of Expertise
Construction Defects
Investigation and analysis of construction defects in residential and commercial properties, including foundation failures, structural damage, water intrusion, and other quality issues. Dr. Mitchell conducts thorough site investigations and prepares detailed reports documenting defects and causation.
Structural Failures
Forensic analysis of structural failures including collapsed structures, cracking, settling, and other structural damage. Analysis focuses on determining root causes, assessing liability, and evaluating engineering design and construction practices.
Water Intrusion & Moisture Damage
Specialized expertise in investigating water intrusion claims, determining water sources, assessing moisture damage, and recommending remediation. Water intrusion is one of the most complex and costly defect categories in residential litigation.
Building Code & Standards Compliance
Analysis of building code compliance, applicable standards at time of construction, specification compliance, and code evolution over time. Proper code analysis is critical to expert witness testimony in construction defect cases.
Material & Structural Analysis
Advanced material testing, concrete deterioration analysis, steel corrosion assessment, and structural capacity evaluation. Dr. Mitchell uses both field investigation and laboratory analysis to fully characterize structural conditions.
Professional Qualifications
Education
Ph.D. in Structural Engineering
UC Berkeley | 2000
Doctoral research in advanced material failure analysis and forensic engineering methodologies.
M.S. in Structural Engineering
Stanford University | 1997
Advanced coursework in seismic design, structural analysis, and materials science.
Professional Licenses
- Professional Engineer (PE): California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon (all current, in good standing)
- Diplomate, American College of Forensic Engineers (ACFE)
- Certified Expert Witness - Advanced training in deposition and trial testimony
Professional Affiliations
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American College of Forensic Engineers (ACFE)
- American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC)
Expert Witness Credentials
- 150+ completed expert witness cases
- Extensive deposition and trial testimony experience
- Zero cases where expert testimony was excluded under Daubert standards
- Cases involving disputes exceeding $2 billion in total value
- Unblemished professional record with no ethics violations
Download Full Resume
Download Dr. Mitchell's complete curriculum vitae and credentials in PDF format.
📄 Download Resume (PDF)What Attorneys Say
"Dr. Mitchell provided exceptional expert analysis on our construction defect case. His thoroughness, clear communication, and unbiased approach made all the difference. His testimony was compelling and credible."
Partner, Anderson & Associates, Construction Law
"We've retained Dr. Mitchell on multiple matters over the years. He consistently delivers thorough, well-reasoned analysis backed by solid engineering principles. His willingness to give honest opinions demonstrates his integrity and credibility."
Senior Counsel, Pacific Insurance Group
"Dr. Mitchell's forensic investigation into the structural failure was instrumental in our case. His detailed analysis and expert testimony effectively demonstrated causation. I highly recommend him for any structural engineering matter."
Managing Partner, Martinez & Associates
"Working with Dr. Mitchell was a pleasure. He's knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about getting to the truth. His ability to translate complex engineering concepts into plain English is remarkable."
Attorney, Construction Litigation Practice
Request a Consultation
If you need expert witness services in structural engineering, construction defects, or forensic analysis, contact Dr. Mitchell to discuss your case.
Contact Information
📞 Phone
📧 Email
Licensed in: California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon
Service Areas: California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and adjacent states with reciprocal licensing
How to Retain Dr. Mitchell
- Initial Contact: Call or email to discuss your case and determine if Dr. Mitchell can assist
- Case Review: Dr. Mitchell reviews case details, files, and background information
- Fee Agreement: Discuss scope, timeline, costs, and retention agreement
- Investigation: Conduct site investigations, expert analysis, and report preparation
- Testimony: Prepare for and provide deposition and/or trial testimony as needed
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact Dr. Mitchell today to explore whether his expertise and experience are right for your matter. Initial consultations are available on a flexible schedule.
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