DAVID B. VORNEHM

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Independent Arbitrator and seasoned legal professional with over 25 years of experience in residential, consumer, construction, commercial, business, public contract, surety, and environmental law. Known for a balanced, pragmatic approach rooted in both the letter and spirit of the law, with a deep appreciation for the real-world impacts legal disputes impose on individuals and businesses. Brings a nuanced understanding of the cascading, interrelated issues that define consumer, commercial, and construction disputes. Committed to efficient, fair, and practical dispute resolution that saves time, reduces cost, and preserves relationships.

Primary Areas of Expertise

• Construction
• Consumer
• Commercial
• Public Contracting
• Surety
• Environmental
• Business and Commercial Transactions

Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience

Extensive experience arbitrating and mediating disputes involving:

• Residential construction defects, warranty issues, mold/mildew, and workmanship disputes
• Construction of manufacturing facilities, steel mills, automobile dealerships, and public infrastructure
• BIM implementation and interpretation
• Hazardous material remediation, delay, and damages
• Warranty claims and disputes
• Indemnification disputes
• Contractor/subcontractor performance, payment, interference, and cumulative impact claims
• Differing site conditions, design errors and omissions, acceleration, delay, and termination
• Consumer disputes involving residential construction, manufacturing facilities, retail operations, wholesale outlets, and product liability

Attended numerous seminars and training courses. Experienced with multinational arbitration proceedings, including managing testimony across the U.S., Canada, and Italy in English and Italian.

Professional Experience

Independent Arbitrator & Attorney
Indiana – Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), 2015–Present

• Advocate for the best interests of children in the court system.
• Judge Pro Tempore, Johnson County, Indiana.

Chapter Counsel
Indiana Water Environment Association, 2010–2020

Founding Partner
Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP, 1996–2018

• Founding partner.
• Led complex litigation, arbitration, and mediation involving construction, commercial, consumer, residential and public contract disputes.
• Represented public and private owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties.

Associate Faculty Instructor – Construction Law & Ethics
Purdue School of Engineering & Technology, IUPUI, 1999–2001

Chief Engineer for Construction
City of Indianapolis, Department of Public Works, 1984–1993

• Oversaw major public works construction projects and infrastructure programs.

Reid, Quebe, Allison & Wilcox, Inc., (Consulting engineering firm) 1974–1984

• Responsible for design and construction observation of a variety of public and private design and construction projects.

Representative Dispute Experience

• Residential construction disputes regarding construction and warranty issues
• Termination for default and convenience
• Proving and pricing damages
• Constructive, cardinal, and unilateral changes
• Differing site conditions
• Design errors and omissions
• Compensable and non-compensable delays
• Acceleration and active interference
• Over-inspection and weather delays
• Payment disputes, subcontractor defaults, liens, and surety issues

Technology Proficiency

• Virtual hearing platforms: Zoom, LoopUp, GoToMeeting
• Productivity tools: Excel, Word, Outlook, CPM scheduling, network and project management software
• Technical tools: CAD, BIM utilization, QuickBooks, NetSuite
• AI-assisted legal analysis: evaluating accuracy, identifying vulnerabilities, addressing privacy concerns, and summarizing complex briefs and pleadings
• ESI management in arbitration, including cross-border digital proceedings
• Graduate, Clearbrief Academy (September 2025)

Education

Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis
Juris Doctor, 1993

Indiana University Bloomington
Bachelor of Arts, Biology, 1973

Professional Licenses

• Indiana Bar (1993)
• U.S. District Court, Northern & Southern Districts of Indiana
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• Judge Pro Tempore, Johnson County, Indiana

Professional Associations

• Indianapolis Bar Association
• Indiana State Bar Association – Construction & Surety Law Section
• American Bar Association – Public Contract Law Section; Forum on the Construction Industry; Fidelity & Surety Law Committee
• Indiana Water Environment Association
• Indiana Damage Prevention Council, Central Chapter
• Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
• American Arbitration Association – Registered Neutral