Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Joseph W. McCarthy
About Joseph
Biography
My practice primarily emphasizes transactions, litigation, arbitration and mediation on behalf of companies and individuals involved in the construction and real estate industries. I represent general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and design professionals in a wide range of matters relating to mechanic's liens, stop notices, construction failures, latent defects, general contract and bidding disputes and professional liability.
Prior to becoming an attorney, I was a general contractor in Missouri for over twenty years. My extensive construction background is a great advantage when assessing a client's case, and during mediation, arbitration and trial. Clients do not have to spend time and money educating me on the construction aspects of their case.
I hold the following California construction licenses: A - General Engineering Contractor, B - General Building Contractor, C-8 - Concrete, C-10 - Electrical, C-20 - Warm Air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning, and C-36 - Plumbing.
I was a Missouri real estate broker for seventeen years, and I have been a California real estate broker since 1995. I represent real estate agents and real estate brokers in various matters.
I am an avid outdoorsman and photographer. I graduated from the Clearwater Guide School and have been a licensed fly fishing guide since 1995. I guide in Northern California on Lewiston Lake and the Trinity River.
In 2008, I was appointed to the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group by Dirk Kempthorne, the Secretary of the Interior.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Construction and Development
80%
33 years
Real Estate
20%
33 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 32 years
State: California
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Joseph W. McCarthy, a Law Corporation
400 Reed Street, Santa Clara, CA, 95050
Joseph W. McCarthy, a Law Corporation
11 Via Las Encinas, Carmel Valley, CA, 93924
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Joseph W. McCarthy's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | February 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Contractor
I have had several legal issues where Joe mcCarthy represented Me. Im a contractor and in the construction business you need an attorney that specializes in and knows how things are done in the construction world (I don't want to pay to educate my lawyer) and I found Mr McCarthy to be very knowledga...
Posted by Jim Vergara | June 2, 2015
SJT
Joe, Has always been very helpful in resolving issues on a timely manner or answering legal questions that we may have from time to time. We are very pleased with his services and that's why we have been using for over 15 years.
Posted by David | May 30, 2015
Experienced and Knowledgable
I have known Mr. McCarthy for many years now. He has been my counsel as well as used my investigative services. I have seen many facets of his personality and aspects of his business and I can say without reservation that he is a very experienced attorney who uses that experience to best represent hi...
Posted by Todd | October 19, 2010
Consumer representation
Although Joe represents Contractors for the most part, he represented me, as a consumer, in a case against a less than professional Contractor and won a judgement for me. Joe seems just as interested in protecting the integrity of the Contracting industry by weeding out bad contractors as he does abo...
Posted by Rich | October 14, 2010
Joe is the man, when it comes to contract license law.. he pulled me out of a jamb that could have ruined my company!!!
Joe introduced himself to me by stopping by my office in 1993. He was very pleasant, and helped me to dissolve a joint venture, release liability of three partners, and convert this company to a Solely owned entity. This helped me to take the reins without the restraint of others. He is very appro...
Joseph W. McCarthy's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
Michael Quinlivan
Construction and development lawyer | Nov 17
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. McCarthy's construction background has made him a particularly capable litigator and mediator, based on my experience on the other side of a case and representing a party in a mediator he handled."
Steven Penrose
Construction and development lawyer | Oct 20
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
Charles Warner
Construction and development lawyer | Jun 23
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Joe and I tried a case against a rogue lawyer in San Mateo County before a jury. Joe was very focused and organized. Joe had a firm grasp of the law and presented the case very professionally to a very successful conclusion. I met Joe when I opposed him in a construction dispute. Joe was very well-prepared and successfully represented his client. He was able to do so in a calm, logical fact-based presentation that impressed the arbitrator. Whenever I have a complicated construction matter, I refer the case to Joe. Joe has extensive expertise in all construction-related areas of the law."
Donald Goulart
Construction and development lawyer | May 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Law is Joe's third career. After having been a general contractor for over twenty years and a real estate broker for seventeen years, Joe brings his expertise in construction, real estate and business law to the legal issues confronting his clients. That type of background in an attorney translates into real dollar savings for his clients who don't have to spend money educating Joe in the construction, real estate or business arena. It is a rare combination to find an attorney like Joe who has independent expertise in the areas in which he practices law. With such a diverse background, Joe quickly assesses his client's case and, when necessary, forcefully represents clients in litigation, arbitration and mediation. Joe's clients get the lawyer and a real world expert in one professional - a powerful combination in today's legal environment."
Jeffrey Knipmeyer
Construction and development lawyer | May 20
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Joe is a great attorney with a no-nonsense, practical approach to the law. After a few minutes with Joe, you will know that you are in the hands of a seasoned professional with an impressive grasp of construction law. I can easily recommend Joe and will refer clients to him whenever given the chance."
"I recently had the privilege of meeting Joe during a recent legal seminar. I was impressed with his knowledge of the construction and real estate industry. He is a leader in his field and has the ability to formulate creative solutions to solve his clients problems. If the answer is within reach, Joe will find it and utilize it to your strategic advantage."
"I have worked with Joe McCarthy on a number of construction-related lawsuits over the years. He is resourceful, trustworthy, capable, and reliable. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of all remedies available to an aggrieved contractor. He brings these remedies to bear with diligence and integrity. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a member of my family in matters of construction and development law."
"It is apparent by looking at his website that Joe McCarthy has extensive knowledge and experience in the construction industry. The construction industry, by its very technical nature, requires a lawyer who is well versed in the industry. Joe has the necessary background - more than just a law degree - to fully understand the needs and concerns of a contractor or a construction business. I had the opportunity to meet Joe at a small legal workshop and, even more important than his experience, I found that Joe has a true desire to serve his clients and to serve them with excellence."
Michael Quinlivan
Construction and development lawyer
Steven Penrose
Trusts lawyer
Jeffrey Knipmeyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Patrick Stokes
Construction and development lawyer
Donald Goulart
Construction and development lawyer
Scott Stewart
Divorce and separation lawyer
Don Mcclure
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
1992
Law school scholarship for academic excellence and promise, Golden Gate University
1992
Honorarium for appellate argument, Golden Gate University
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Attorney, Joseph W. McCarthy, A Law Corporation
Associations
2008 - Present
Associated Builders and ContractorsMember
2008 - Present
Trinity Adaptive Management Working GroupAppointee
2001 - Present
International Code CouncilMember
2000 - Present
American Institute of ArchitectsOfficer
1993 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2001 - 2004
Santa Clara Builders' ExchangeBoard of Directors
1995 - 2002
Santa Cruz Builders' ExchangeBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Salinas Income Fund One, LLC v. Eitel-Wade, Inc., et al.
Awarded mid-six figures.
Nicholas Damer v. Edward D. Hume, et al.
Awarded over half a million dollars.
Education
1992
Golden Gate University School of Law
Juris Doctor
N/A
University of Missouri, Columbia
Speaking Engagements
N/A
Shasta Builders' Exchange
Construction Litigation Seminar
N/A
Santa Cruz County Builders' Exchange
Construction Litigation Seminar
N/A
Builders' Exchange of Santa Clara County
Construction Litigation Seminar
Publications
1995
The Contractor's Survival Guide
The Contractor's Survival Guide
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
2011 Requirements for California Mechanic's Liens
16 Dec 2010
Legal Guide
California Construction Stop Notices
08 May 2010
Legal Guide
Home Improvement Contracts in California - Part 2
07 May 2010