Cynthia A. Tari

Cynthia Tari is of counsel in the Dallas office of WSHB. She is one of the leading construction lawyers in Texas. Cynthia brings to every matter assigned a unique skill set emanating from the fact that she worked in architecture for years before becoming a lawyer. She has designed and overseen construction projects from start to finish, including single family, mixed use, commercial and high-rise developments, as well as consulting and advising builders and construction companies on issues arising from prevailing wage claims and workplace regulations. This real life experience gives Cynthia a unique perspective and advantage in handling construction defect and professional design matters.

She enjoys over 25 years of experience litigating and arbitrating construction disputes, including breach of contract, negligence, professional malpractice, and lien/bond claims on public and private projects. She has authored many articles about construction litigation and risk transfer making her a thought leader in Texas. Because of her experience in architecture, Cynthia is regularly called upon to present and speak at seminars throughout the nation on cutting edge issues involving both design and constructions. Cynthia’s background includes direct representation of owner entities, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, manufacturers, architects, and engineers in contract disputes, construction defect, and professional malpractice issues. She has litigated every facet of cases emanating from the representation of a developer or design professional entity, all with outstanding results.

Since 2013, Cynthia has been an Advanced Credentialed Mediator through the Texas Mediator’s Credentialing Association, and is a construction arbitrator. She is on the litigation panel of mediators for the Dallas County Courts and Dispute Resolution Services of Dallas and has been invited to join the Panel of Mediators/Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association.

Events, Seminars & Presentations

“Working Constructively: Using the Collaborative Dispute Resolution Process in Construction Cases,” Joint Meeting of Construction and Collaborative Law Sections, Dallas Bar Association, November 3, 2011

“Trends in Construction Defect Litigation,” Harmonie Group, Chicago, June 1, 2011

Testified to Texas Legislature, In support of HB 958 - Proposed Bolstering of Statute of Repose, March 21, 2011

“Tips from Arbitrators: How to Cut Costs in the Construction Arbitration Process,” Harmonie Group, Atlanta, July 28, 2010

“Tips from Arbitrators: How to Cut Costs in the Construction Arbitration Process,” Harmonie Group, Atlanta, Nov. 19, 2009

“The Recession’s Impact on Construction Defect Claims and Litigation,” Harmonie Group, Atlanta, Nov. 19, 2009

Dallas Bar Association, Legislative Update, September 3, 2009

“Ethics of Mediation,” Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Winter Meeting, January 2007

“Texas Civil Engineers Professional Liability,” Half Moon Seminars, Irving, Texas, January 20, 2005

“Ramifications of ISO 9000 and its U.S. Equivalent,” ABA Annual Meeting, May 4-5, 2000, Washington, D.C.

Publications

“Warranty Actions Outside Consumer Protection Statutes,” For the Defense, August 2008

“Documenting Extra Work & Authorization,” Construction Executive, February 2008

“Termination Pitfalls and Procedures,” Construction Executive, November 2007

“Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Pass-Through Claims/Liquidation Agreements,” Newsletter, Summer 2004

“ISO 9000 in Design and Construction,” The Construction Lawyer’s Toolbox, Vol. II, ABA Publishing, May 2000

“Arbitration and Significant Changes in Recent Case Law and Rule Amendments,” Texas Institute of Continuing Legal Education, February 1995

Assistant Editor, Texas Bar Association Newsletter, August 1995 - August 1996

“Harmonization Necessary Under NAFTA for U.S. Construction Industry to Regain Position as World Leader in Construction Exports over E.C. Competitors,” 17 Hous. J. Int’l Law 105, Fall 1994 Co-Author, Urban Design Guidelines, 1991 (joint venture project; on file with Houston METRO Transit Authority)

Ghostwriter, monthly column, Texas Construction, 1995-1997