Helen Lauderdale
Helen Lauderdale

Helen Lauderdale

Senior Counsel

Los Angeles

Introduction

Helen guides clients in resolving their business disputes involving construction and public contracts, contract drafting and negotiations, course of construction counseling, claims, and litigation.

As a litigator and counselor, Helen Lauderdale advises clients on breach of contract, extra work, delay, construction defect, contract termination damages, and False Claims Act violation claims. She also represents public and private owners on bid procedures, procurement strategies, and bid protests. 

Helen has drafted contracts for owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and design-builders on projects involving apartment buildings, manufacturing facilities, airports, courthouses, shopping centers, hotels, tenant improvements, and private homes. Her construction industry clients include owners, general contractors, and engineering firms. 

Helen's background also includes matters involving telecommunications, health care, chemicals, and art. In financial services, she has represented mortgage lenders in breach of contract, negligence, and fraud claims against borrowers, loan originators, and appraisers. 

Helen is a longtime co-author of The Year in Review: Developments in California Design and Construction Law, which is published in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Bar Association's annual construction law update program. She also has contributed to CEB's treatise, California Mechanics Liens and Related Construction Remedies, and construction law updates by Aspen Law Publisher.  

Helen is active in civic matters and served as campaign treasurer for two successful local ballot measures that raised funds for public schools and libraries.

Education & credentials

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 1985
  • Carleton College, B.A., cum laude, 1981
  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Professional recognition

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Construction, 2024-2026

  • *Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell
    (AV® Preeminent ™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)

Impact

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member Construction Law Subsection, Former Chair, 1996-1997 Construction Law Subsection Steering Committee, Member, 1989-present
  • South Pasadena Educational Foundation Vice President, Fund Development, 2009-2012 Board of Directors, 2007-2013