With more than 15 years experience, Kaysie Garcia specializes in construction and government-contract disputes in both federal and state courts throughout California. Her practice spans industrial and commercial projects as well as large-scale infrastructure developments – including highways, bridges, pipelines, mass-transit systems, military facilities, hospitals, public schools, airport taxiways, multi-family housing, hotels, restaurants, municipal pumping stations, and solar-power generation facilities.
She represents clients in a broad spectrum of matters: scope-of-work disputes, extra-work and additional-time claims, mechanic’s liens, bid protests, differing-site-condition issues, and complex delay claims.
Kaysie began her career practicing construction and surety law at Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald LLP, followed by her role at Rogers Nemeth Germain PC, where she continued to focus on complex construction-litigation matters on behalf of general contractors, subcontractors and developers. She later served as Assistant General Counsel at Shimmick Construction Company, where she managed ongoing litigation, negotiated project contracts, and guided the corporation through complex operational and compliance issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kaysie is a frequent speaker and moderator at leading construction-industry and legal conferences, including but not limited to local industry events for AGC of California, NAWIC Orange County, WIC, CMAA and CFMA Orange County. She regularly presents on topics such as:
Her programs blend practical insights from active, high-stakes litigation with real-world lessons drawn from years of advising ENR Top 100 contractors and industry professionals across the United States.
Entering law school, I thought I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer. It took one entertainment law event and a summer dabbling in some entertainment litigation to realize that I did not enjoy that type of work or working with the typical entertainment clientele. I then pivoted to construction law.
Construction law intrigued me because it often concerns something tangible, something that you can see and visit. As a construction lawyer, I am a part of bringing something “physically real” to life. Driving down the street, I can point out bridges, roads, or buildings that I played a part in constructing or that I was involved in litigating or resolving a dispute concerning. Even though I am not the one that is physically building the projects, there is an indescribable feeling of ownership in at least a part of the end-product that is really special.
One of the best things about practicing in this field, however, is the people. This industry has some of the most down to earth and real people that make my job even more meaningful and enjoyable. They are common sensical and no nonsense. They need real-world answers and timely guidance for their real-world problems. The best and most fulfilling part of my job is working with them.
I recommend that women entering this area of law be brave, tough, and confident. Trust yourself but ask tons of questions. Learn on the go and dive into the weeds on all of the projects you are working on. Visit the project sites. Meet the people involved face-to-face. Meet and learn from your experts. Do whatever you can to be the most knowledgeable one in the room about every aspect of your case and the projects you are working on. You will undoubtedly be underestimated in this field from time to time, but if you use it to your advantage, it is almost always a blessing, not a curse.
I was born and raised in Southern California. I have lived as far south as San Diego (UCSD) and as far north as Calabasas (law school).
Growing up, I was a competitive dancer and gymnast. Although I stopped competing in gymnastics in high school, my competitive dance career continued through college where I was a member of a team that obtained numerous national titles in Orlando, Florida and appeared on ESPN.
Between 2018 and 2022, at the urging of a former teammate, I agreed to coach the Junior Varsity Dance Team at Rosary Academy in Fullerton, California, while continuing my regular full-time employment as a construction litigator. Although it was not easy with my schedule, coaching those girls during that period was such a gift, despite all the struggles that many of those classes went through associated with the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Being a mentor to them has been one of my most favorite roles yet.
Free time? Ha! As mom to a 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, I currently spend all “free time” as my kids’ personal chauffeur and assistant, sitting at my son’s baseball and football practice/games or my daughter’s dance classes, rehearsals and competitions. I would not trade a second of it for the world, but it is definitely not easy.
When our (very hectic) family’s schedule allows for it, I enjoy boating on Lake Havasu, Lake Mead (when the water is high enough to launch), and Bass Lake. I love camping in the desert, traveling and exploring new places, snowboarding, and (most recently) weightlifting.
