People
David Buoncristiani

David Buoncristiani

Partner
(415) 995-5030

Intro

Dave has more than 40 years of commercial litigation experience with primary emphasis on construction industry disputes. He is proficient in all facets of public and private construction, including contract negotiation and the review of and preparation of contracts. He has represented contractors in connection with bid protests arising under competitively bid contracts, claim evaluations and preparations, and prosecution and defense of contractor claims. Dave has represented clients before state and federal courts, as well as arbitration tribunals and governmental administrative panels such as the Board of Contract Appeals, and has extensive experience involving international construction disputes. He has been involved in numerous mediations that resolved extremely complicated construction disputes. Dave has spoken extensively on construction law-related issues in seminars and client presentations.

Dave has been recognized as one of the leading construction attorneys in the United States by Chambers USA and has been continuously rated in Band 1 or Band 2 since the 2003 edition. His construction teams were recipients of "Chambers' Award for Excellence in Construction" in 2008 and 2010.

Dave has been named a "Northern California Super Lawyer" by San Francisco Magazine from 2004 through 2022 and also has been recognized by Who's Who Legal, as among the very best of the USA's highest ranking attorneys and was selected for the inclusion in the first edition of "Thought Leaders: USA 2023". Best Lawyers included Dave on the list of "Best Lawyers in America" for 2023 and he has been a recipient of that honor for more than ten years. He is also recognized by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers and The Legal 500. Finally, he has been annually awarded an "AV" rating by Martindale Hubbell since 1984.

Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and is currently a member of the Board of Governors. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Forum on the Construction Industry, Public Contracts and Litigation Sections), The Bar Association of San Francisco, and The Olympic Club.

Education

J.D. UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings) ( 1971 )
B.A. University of San Francisco ( 1968 )

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Pro Haec Vice Admissions:
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Role

Intro

Dave has more than 40 years of commercial litigation experience with primary emphasis on construction industry disputes. He is proficient in all facets of public and private construction, including contract negotiation and the review of and preparation of contracts. He has represented contractors in connection with bid protests arising under competitively bid contracts, claim evaluations and preparations, and prosecution and defense of contractor claims. Dave has represented clients before state and federal courts, as well as arbitration tribunals and governmental administrative panels such as the Board of Contract Appeals, and has extensive experience involving international construction disputes. He has been involved in numerous mediations that resolved extremely complicated construction disputes. Dave has spoken extensively on construction law-related issues in seminars and client presentations.

Dave has been recognized as one of the leading construction attorneys in the United States by Chambers USA and has been continuously rated in Band 1 or Band 2 since the 2003 edition. His construction teams were recipients of "Chambers' Award for Excellence in Construction" in 2008 and 2010.

Dave has been named a "Northern California Super Lawyer" by San Francisco Magazine from 2004 through 2022 and also has been recognized by Who's Who Legal, as among the very best of the USA's highest ranking attorneys and was selected for the inclusion in the first edition of "Thought Leaders: USA 2023". Best Lawyers included Dave on the list of "Best Lawyers in America" for 2023 and he has been a recipient of that honor for more than ten years. He is also recognized by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers and The Legal 500. Finally, he has been annually awarded an "AV" rating by Martindale Hubbell since 1984.

Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and is currently a member of the Board of Governors. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Forum on the Construction Industry, Public Contracts and Litigation Sections), The Bar Association of San Francisco, and The Olympic Club.

Areas of Focus

Education

J.D. UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings) ( 1971 )
B.A. University of San Francisco ( 1968 )

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Pro Haec Vice Admissions:
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Best Lawyers (2006-2025)

Chambers and Partners USA, Construction (2003 - 2025)

The Legal 500, Recommended Lawyer (2019)

Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation; International (2004-2022)