Cristina Mendez

Cristina Mendez represents clients in complex civil disputes such as contract, construction, infrastructure and insurance litigation. She also counsels clients on issues related to procurement and bid protests. Cristina has worked with Los Angeles County Sanitation District, assisting with multiple litigation matters arising out of construction projects including the Valencia Advanced Water Treatment Facility Project, the Clearwater Tunnel Outfall Project and the Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant Project. She also has handled numerous claims for the Texas Department of Transportation, arising out of construction projects including the I-35 NEX Central Project, the Harbor Bridge Project and the SH99 Grand Parkway Project.

Cristina's practical experience includes legal research, motions practice, discovery, mediations, depositions, as well as alert memorandums regarding federal, state and local guidance on various topics. Prior to joining Nossaman, Cristina worked as a litigation associate in the San Francisco office of a national law firm.

Cristina is also a contributing author for Construction & Claims, Nossaman's periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving construction news, claims, bid protests, contract administration and payment-related disputes.

Experience

Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District (SCVSD) – Valencia Advanced Water Treatment Facility Project. Represented SCVSD asserting defenses and cross-claims in litigation concerning contract-based disputes between public works contractor, subcontractors, sureties and owner.

Hudson News. Advised airport vendor in Florida regarding re-negotiation of contract and strategic lobbying for changes to local procurement laws.

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) – Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant Project. Represented LACSD by asserting affirmative defense of liquidated damages offset in litigation concerning contract-based disputes between public works contractor, equipment provider and owner.

Wang v. LLC Investment Inc. Represented private plaintiff in asserting claims and cross-defenses in real estate litigation involving breach of contract, forgery and fraudulent inducement claims.

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – I-35 NEX Central Project. Represented TxDOT in enforcement of contractual dispute resolution procedures governing infrastructure project involving expansion and reconstruction of expressways.

City of San Diego – Pure Water Program. Represented public agency in dispute resolution processes involving designer liability claims and contractor claims for time-related overhead and delay compensation arising out of public works contract.

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) – Scholl Canyon Landfill. Represented LACSD in California in dispute resolution processes involving fraud claims and immunity defenses arising out of joint venture to operate public landfills.

San Francisco MTA – Street Light Rail Project). Represented the MTA in dispute resolution process involving insurance claim for incident at public works construction site.

Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA). Advised WIFA throughout state-level procurement process and bid protest analyses concerning multi-award procurement of long-term infrastructure projects.

Alibaba. Counseled multinational technology company by drafting user agreements and privacy policies for launch of e-commerce platform.

Tramor Properties, Inc. v. Morris. Represented plaintiff in shareholder derivative litigation involving claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against corporate officer.

FTX Cryptocurrency Exchange Collapse. Defended venture capital and private equity firm in multi-district litigation concerning securities fraud claims in the Southern District of Florida, including JPML advocacy and pre-trial motion practice.

Midjourney. Defended technology company in class action lawsuit alleging copyright infringement in the Northern District of California, including pre-trial motion practice and expert discovery.

Juul Labs, Inc. Defended electronic-cigarette manufacturer in class action antitrust lawsuit involving alleged violations of the Sherman Act in the Northern District of California, including taking depositions and pre-trial motion practice.

Swedish Match. Defended alternative tobacco company in private antitrust lawsuit involving sham litigation claims in the Northern District of California, including successful motion to dismiss.

Figma. Represented design software company against DOJ investigation of proposed merger involving $20 billion acquisition, including defending depositions and submitting white papers.

WillScot Mobile Mini. Represented storage solutions company against FTC investigation of proposed merger involving $3.8 billion acquisition, including complying with Second Request and submitting white papers.

OFAC foreign sanctions investigation. Represented semiconductor company involved in white collar investigations concerning alleged violations of federal regulations, including internal interviews and written external advocacy.

Community & Professional

American Bar Association, Member

Hispanic National Bar Association, Member

Bar Association of San Francisco, Member