Peter Dessau


Partner Peter Dessau’s more than 26 year practice focuses on construction law, with an emphasis on litigation involving construction claims, defects and other related issues. Regularly advising clients out of both the firm’s San Jose and Newport Beach offices, he represents developers, builders, design professionals and contractors in payment disputes, and defends and prosecutes delay and impact claims against private owners, contractors and public entities.

A trusted advocate to his clients, Peter also regularly provides counsel to members of the construction industry on risk management techniques to avoid litigation. He is a frequent writer and speaker on construction law topics, including serving as a guest lecturer for construction law classes at Santa Clara University School of Law and San Jose State University (Extension). Peter is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Construction Arbitrators. View complete bio.


Recent Posts

February 2018   by Peter Dessau
Lawyer Ethics: What Clients Need and Want in Construction Arbitration Construction arbitration is fundamentally different from litigation because it is a choice-based process supervised by expert decision makers in a private setting. read more.



May 2015   by Peter Dessau
In an article published in Law360 by Andrew McIntyre, Partner Peter Dessau asked to comment on the obstacles faced by foreign investors in U.S. real estate. read more.



March 2015   by Peter Dessau, Eric McAllister
Peter and Eric contributed their expertise on the due diligence process potential apartment buyers should undertake before making a purchase. read more.



January 2015   by Peter Dessau, Eric McAllister
Peter and Eric’s article on the due diligence process potential apartment buyers should undertake before making a purchase was published in the January 2015 issue of Multifamily Executive, read more.



May 2014   by Peter Dessau
SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 13, 2014 – Peter V. Dessau, a construction partner at Miller, Morton, Caillat & Nevis, LLP, has been appointed to the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Panel of Construction Arbitrators. read more.



April 2014   by Peter Dessau
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Apr. 24, 2014 – Miller, Morton, Caillat & Nevis, LLP announces that construction partner Peter V. Dessau has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the read more.