Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.


Tuesday, November 18, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST


Agenda:

Distinguishing Between Construction Defects and Failures
Presented by Vincent T. Pallaci, Esq.

  • Defining defects
    • Causes of defects: problems with design, materials and/or construction
  • Defining failures
    • Causes of failures: deterioration, unintended use, “Acts of God”

Examining Common Defects and Failures
Presented by Gregory C. Moormann, P.E., R.A.

  • Analyzing defects and failures for methodology and causality
    • Site selection and engineering
    • Building design
    • Foundation design and construction
    • Design and construction of floors, walls and roofing
    • Exploring defects and failures in mechanical and electrical systems

Adopting Practices that Reduce Defects and Failures
Presented by Gregory C. Moormann, P.E., R.A.

  • Reviewing proposed use and preparing construction documents
  • Complying with building codes and standards
  • Choosing materials and construction techniques
  • Construction site communication, coordination and other practices that minimize problems
  • Monitoring construction
  • Quality assurance and quality control
  • Correcting problems before project completion
  • Building commissioning, operation and maintenance

Preventing and Resolving Disputes Generated by Defects and Failures
Presented by Matthew Smith

  • Identifying parties with potential liability
  • Understanding theories of liability and defenses to liability
  • Acting to remediate defects/failures
  • Participating in conflict resolution procedures:
    • Mediation, arbitration, litigation
  • Reviewing types of damages and how they are calculated
  • Insurance coverage issues

Handling Ethical Issues Associated with Defects and Failures
Presented by Rebecca Bowman, P.E., D.F.E.

  • Understanding the parties roles and relationships
  • Understanding the liability and indemnification provisions in construction documents
  • Duty to raise potential safety, durability issues
  • Making warrantees and guarantees
  • Working outside areas of competence

 

Webinar Instructions 
 
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited. 

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher. 

Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email. 

GoToWebinar App requirements:  
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS 

Web Browser:  
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions) 
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions) 

Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better 

Hardware:  2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended) 

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com 

Credits

Engineers
6.0 PDHs

Architects
6.0 HSW CE Hours

AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 HSW LUs

ICC - International Code Council
0.6 CEUs (Building)

 

Continuing Education Information

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 PDHs for professional engineers and 6.0 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects in all states that allow this learning method. Please refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.

HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida (Provider License No: CEA362), Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, and New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00049300). HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York engineers and architects via its registration with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (Regulations of the Commissioner §68.14(i)(2) and §69.6(i)(2)). Other states do not preapprove continuing education providers or courses.

The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.

The International Code Council has approved this event for .6 CEUs in the specialty area of Building (Preferred Provider No. 1232).

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).

*On-Demand Credits*

The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate. The following pre-approvals may be available for the on-demand format upon request:

6.0 HSW LUs (AIA)

Speakers

Rebecca Bowman, P.E., D.F.E.

Law Office of Rebecca Bowman, Principal

Ms. Bowman is a sole proprietor, practicing in dispute resolution, estate planning, civil engineering, real estate, legal services, strategic development, and training. She is experienced in dispute resolution, estate planning and administration, engineering design and forensic analysis, construction/project management, real estate, small business start-up, employment law, and nonprofit support. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified arbitrator and mediator. Mrs. Bowman writes a column for the PE Reporter, “Risky Business,” and she lectures for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania State University, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and others. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota, her M.B.A. degree from Oklahoma University, and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University. She recently joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Senior Director of Ethics and Professional Practice.

LinkedIn

Gregory C. Moormann, P.E., R.A.

ANCORA ENGINEERING, PLLC, in New York City

Mr. Moormann, PE, RA, earned a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is dually a licensed as a registered architect and a licensed Professional Engineer in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states and holds multiple professional affiliations and certifications. Mr. Moormann has spent a large portion of his 18+ year career involved in heavy construction and new building development in the New York City market under various capacities of geotechnical, excavations, demolition, remediation, and structural design works. Notable projects include MoMa Tower Verre; 432 Park Avenue; World Trade Center Towers 2, 3 & 4; 220 Central Park; Nordstrom Tower; and currently under construction 740 8th Avenue. Mr. Moormann has been directly involved with over 750 construction projects in the tri-state region. Additionally, he has held a technical director position in multiple engineering companies overseeing all special inspection operations. He is co-owner and principal of Ancora Engineering based out of mid-town Manhattan. Mr. Moormann also has his own private architecture and engineering practice focused on the local market around his New Jersey home.

Vincent T. Pallaci, Esq.

Managing Member of Kushnick Pallaci PLLC in Bohemia, NY

Mr. Pallaci is the firm’s managing member and focuses his practice on complex construction, business and insurance litigation. He represents general contractors, developers, subcontractors, owners, construction managers, architects and engineers in a wide variety of disputes including defective construction, excavation and property damage litigation, delay, scope of work disputes, mechanic’s lien foreclosure and defense, defense of OSHA violations, ECB violations, construction license agreements, labor law claims and employment claims. Mr. Pallaci has successfully represented clients in arbitration and mediation as well as in state and federal litigation. His clients have ranged from small locally owned businesses to nationally and internationally known members of the Fortune 1000 and S&P 500. Mr. Pallaci is a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America, holds the highest possible “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale Hubble, is recognized as a “Top Construction Attorney” by AVVO and has been recognized as a “rising star” by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2012. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pallaci is a former chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee and has lectured and written more than 100 articles on construction law topics, including strategies for mitigating and avoiding loss and effective payment recovery options.

Matthew Smith

Member of Clark Hill in Lansing, MI

Mr. Smith is a full-service construction attorney handling a large portfolio of suppliers, subcontractors, developers, engineers and general contractors in a variety of construction and commercial litigation matters. A seasoned attorney, He handles matters involving construction liens, bonding and surety claims, contracts, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, labor, real estate, and design and construction defect litigation. Mr. Smith is experienced in business, bankruptcy, construction, creditors’ rights, real estate, and civil litigation.

AIA Info

AIA Provider Statement: 

HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). 

This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. 

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. 

Course Title:  Common Construction Defects and Failures: Prevention and Mitigation

Delivery Method: Live Online 

Course Description: This six-hour course explores the distinction between construction defects and failures, their root causes, and typical manifestations in building systems and materials. It examines site, design, and construction factors contributing to these issues and outlines best practices for prevention through quality assurance, code compliance, and effective project management. The course also addresses dispute resolution, liability concerns, and ethical issues related to defects and failures in construction.

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to differentiate between construction defects and failures and identify their common causes related to design, materials, and construction practices.

Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to analyze typical defects and failures across building components, including foundations, walls, roofing, and mechanical and electrical systems.

Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to implement best practices for minimizing defects and failures through code compliance, quality assurance, site coordination, and proactive monitoring.

Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to recognize liability issues, ethical considerations, and dispute resolution methods related to construction defects and failures.

LUs: 6.0

LU Type: LU|HSWs 

Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None 

Program Level: Intermediate 

Course Expiration Date:  08/13/2028

Complaint Resolution Policy: 

Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.