Jeannette C.C. Darrow

Jeannette Darrow is an experienced Orange County civil litigation and construction attorney helping individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in a variety of industries resolve disputes and litigation.

LITIGATION AND BUSINESS: Jeannette handles contract drafting and review, as well as claims involving breach of contract (including breach of lease, breach of equipment lease, claim and delivery, breach of warranty, breach of guaranty), interference with contract, fraud, misrepresentation, conversion, negligence, and a wide variety of other civil litigation and business disputes, including business-to-business disputes, claims involving employees or former employees, vendor and supplier disputes, and claims by or against competitors and customers.

CONSTRUCTION: Working with construction industry clients and homeowners, Ms. Darrow provides advice on compliance with California's mechanic's lien laws, prepares and enforces contracts and mechanics' liens, assists homeowners with expunging invalid liens, and represents homeowners and contractors with resolving construction disputes.

SMALL CLAIMS: Parties to small claims lawsuits are not permitted to have legal representation in court, but are allowed to have an attorney assist them with preparing their claims or defenses and preparing for trial outside of court. Jeannette assists small claims clients with assessing their claims or defenses and preparing for trial for a flat fee, and also represents clients in small claims appeals trials.

Southwestern University School of Law

J.D. (2001) | Law

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

B.S. (1998) | Sociology

Civil Litigation, Business, and Construction Law Attorney

2001 - Current

Overview of Courts, Mediation, and Arbitration, Building Trades Network, Irvine

October 21, 2015

Introduction to California Courts and Mechanic's Lien Laws, Orange Coast Community College

October 16, 2015

Excellence for the Future Award

CALI

2000

Received the highest grade in Federal Tax Administration and Litigation

Excellence for the Future Award

CALI

1999

Received the highest grade in Community Property

Best Writer Finalist, Intramural Moot Court Honors Competition

Southwestern University School of Law

1999

American Bar Association

Member

2013 - Current

Canstruction Orange County

Jury Chairman

2013 - Current

Activities: Canstruction is a charity committed to ending world hunger, is using 'one can' as a catalyst for change. Canstruction OC benefits the Orange County Food Bank.

Orange County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Current

OCBA, Solo and Small Firm Section

Member

2012 - Current

Member, OCBA, Construction Section

Member

2012 - Current

California

Since 2001

• Free Consultation
  Please note that I do not give free consultations for landlord/tenant matters.
• Contingent Fees
  Some cases may be accepted on a contingency basis, usually 33%-40%.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Reasonable hourly rates

• General Civil Litigation
• Litigation
• Lawsuits and Disputes
• Small Claims Appeals
• Small Claims Assistance

Q. Can I sue an unlicensed contractor for $$ already paid despite he has completed the job? He uses someone else license #.

November 10, 2013

A: A homeowner is allowed to sue an unlicensed contractor for money already paid on a job regardless of whether the job was completed, and regardless of whether the work was perfect and you were 100% satisfied with it. By law, the party who contracts with an unlicensed contractor (for a project of more than $500 for which a license is required) can sue for "disgorgement" of monies already paid.

The unlicensed contractor can face penalties if he is improperly using someone else's license number, and doing work without a license. Also, unlicensed contractors do not have mechanic's lien rights, so any lien would not be enforceable. It isn't "fraud" per se, but there are California laws that allow you to potentially recover attorneys' fees and costs if the unlicensed contractor does not voluntarily remove the invalid mechanic's lien after proper notice. There are detailed California laws regarding this topic, so contract a construction law attorney to assist you. ... Read More