Mary Beth Coburn

Partner

Ms. Coburn is a partner in the San Diego office of Best Best & Krieger LLP. Ms. Coburn is also a California licensed professional civil engineer with over ten years experience in design and construction of public facilities, including positions with Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and several consulting engineering firms.

Her primary practice area is public works and infrastructure construction law, including construction contracting and construction claims resolution. Her unique combination of "hands on" engineering experience and construction law provide clients with efficient, practical and comprehensive legal services. Ms. Coburn understands what it takes to get a project built and what delays and claims can do to that process.

Ms. Coburn specializes in assisting public agencies and private owners with all aspects of the construction process, involving preparation of construction documents, bid protests, subcontractor substitution and default, contractors’ claims, stop notices, and project close out.

Ms. Coburn routinely works with municipalities, special districts and school districts on all issues related to construction of public facilities, from master planning through claims resolution. Often she assists clients with latent construction defects long after construction projects have been closed out and warranty periods have lapsed.

Ms. Coburn has successfully terminated contractors for failure to perform and routinely works with sureties on various payment and performance bond issues, including surety take over of projects in default.  Ms. Coburn also has experience in false claim actions against contractors for inflating or falsely submitting extra work claims.

Ms. Coburn is frequently called upon to provide public works training sessions to assist firm clients in proper procurement practices, claims avoidance and dispute resolution.

Ms. Coburn is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association as well as a member of the State Bar of California and the American Society of Civil Engineers. She received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1987 and received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1997.

Education

• University of San Diego (USD), J.D. (1997)
• Michigan Technological University, B.S.

Bar Admissions

• California (1998)

Court Admissions

• California (1998)

Memberships

• San Diego County Bar Association
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• State Bar of California, Member