attorney

Dan began his own construction defect practice in 2023.  As a former partner in a multistate construction defect law firm from 2015-2023, Dan successfully grew their California office from an unknown quantity to a well-respected and successful operation.  During this time, Dan resolved millions of dollars in construction defect claims for the firm’s clients. 

From 2006-2015, Dan represented some of the nation’s largest homebuilders in defense of construction defect claims.  Dan brings over 17 years of experience handling construction defect claims throughout California.  He has successfully resolved more than 200 construction defect claims through settlement and arbitration in his career, including claims for homeowners associations comprised of townhomes, condominiums, and single-family homes.  

For the last nine years, Dan has exclusively represented homeowners associations.  He enjoys working with homeowners association boards of directors and homeowners, keeping them informed of the progress throughout the claims process.  He is also a frequent presenter on current issues impacting California construction defect law. 

Dan graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Political Science in 1996.  In 1999, Dan graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law with his Juris Doctorate, where he also served as a writer and editor of the Iowa Law Review.   

Dan lives in Carlsbad with his wife and two sons.  When he is not practicing law, he enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, camping, hiking, and snowboarding with family and friends. 

Elisha Graham is a highly experienced and skilled paralegal with a wealth of experience in Construction Defect Litigation, law firm operations management, and providing support during complex cases, pre-trial proceedings, and courtroom trials. Her expertise provides her with the ability to flawlessly assist the attorney in successfully managing the cases from beginning to end to ensure a positive outcome for the clients. 

With over 15 years of experience, Elisha is a seasoned legal professional that has encountered many different legal scenarios and brings her deep understanding of construction defect litigation to the team. Elisha's experience includes working for defense firms that specialized in construction defect litigation provides her with a unique perspective on the legal process, as she has gained insight into how both sides work. This experience allows her to understand the strategies and tactics that are commonly used by both plaintiffs and defendants in construction defect cases.

Elisha also has valuable experience in law firm operations management, where she demonstrates her ability to manage resources effectively and ensure that the firm runs efficiently.  She helps with developing and implementing marketing and business development strategies, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office. Elisha’s management skills have been essential in maintaining the firm's administrative functions are well-managed, allowing the attorney to focus on practicing law and representing clients.

Outside of work, Elisha likes spending time with her rescue dog Daisy, reading, or having a game night with friends.

Gianna Amaya joined the HOA Industry in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant to Daniel Ryan. As Gianna assisted with the cases, she gained a deep understanding of the process and the unique challenges that arise in complex construction litigation.  She had the privilege of working with clients and homeowners on a daily basis and kept them up to date and informed on the status of their case. This has provided Gianna with the unique advantage of having worked on the litigation side of construction defect and she is able to bring that knowledge with her to the field. 

Since one of Gianna’s strongest assets is her innate ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships, this makes her a perfect fit for her role. In her time in the Client Services role, she has gained experience in managing client accounts, resolving client issues, and providing exceptional customer service.  With her strong organizational and communication skills, she has been able to build strong relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction.  Gianna's dedication to her work and her willingness to learn has made her a valuable asset to the team.  She continues to develop her skills and takes on new challenges with enthusiasm. Gianna currently oversees the San Diego, Orange County, Inland Empire, Channel Islands, and Los Angeles areas.

Gianna graduated from California Lutheran University with a B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Law and Criminal Behavioral Applications. During her time at Cal Lutheran, she played Collegiate Women’s Basketball, and became a lifetime member of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology.