Shay Kulkarni
Shailendra “Shay” Kulkarni is a partner in the firm’s San Diego office. A skilled litigator, he represents contractors, developers, and businesses in high‑stakes construction and real estate matters, insurance coverage disputes, and complex civil litigation. Shay is known for his strategic, solution-driven approach and his ability to guide clients through challenging disputes with clarity and precision.
Shay Kulkarni
Partner
San Diego, CA
P +1 619.202.0175
F +1 619.795.2730
P 619.202.0175
F 619.795.2730
“My goal is to help clients navigate complex construction projects with clarity, strategy, and practical solutions that move their projects forward.”
Bio
Shay brings deep experience across the construction and real estate sectors, advising clients on litigation, insurance coverage analysis and disputes, and complex civil matters involving sophisticated construction contracts. His practice includes defect, delay, payment, and contract disputes, project‑based tort claims, surety and bond matters, and insurance recovery for construction‑related losses. Shay regularly assists clients from early claim evaluation and risk assessment through mediation, arbitration, and trial, offering clear, business‑focused guidance at every stage.
Widely recognized for his leadership in the construction bar, Shay is the former Chair of the California Lawyers Association’s Construction Law Committee and a two‑time Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s Construction Law Section. He currently serves as Chair of Division 5 (General Contractors) of the ABA Forum on Construction Law and is a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America.
A frequent speaker, Shay presents regularly to industry groups, bar associations, and professional organizations, sharing insights on emerging trends, risk management, and developments in construction and surety law.
In addition to his legal practice, Shay is deeply engaged in the San Diego community. He serves as an Advisory Board Member and Mentoring Program Co‑Chair for the Crawford Academy of Law and is an active member of the Build and Serve Charitable Alliance of the AGC’s San Diego Chapter.
Shay previously practiced in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he focused his practice on construction, surety, and real estate litigation.
Highlights
Admissions
• State of California
• State of Louisiana (inactive)
Memberships
• Construction Lawyers Society of America (Fellow)
• American Bar Association (Forum on Construction Law - Division 5 Chair)
• AGC of California (Legal Advisory Committee)
• AGC San Diego
• CFMA San Diego
• NAIOP San Diego
• Crawford Academy of Law Program (Advisory Board Member and Mentoring Program Co-Chair)
• San Diego County Bar Association
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
• Urban Land Institute, San Diego/Tijuana Chapter
• National Bond Claims Association
Education & Courses
• Tulane University Law School, J.D.
• University of California, Berkeley, B.A.
Awards & Recognitions
• Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™
• Best Lawyers, 2024-2026
• Thomson Reuters “Stand-Out Lawyer”, 2024
• San Diego Magazine, Top Lawyer - Construction Law, 2019-2023, 2025
• California Super Lawyers, 2023 – 2024
• California Super Lawyers “Rising Stars”, 2015, 2017 - 2022
• San Diego Daily Transcript, “Top 40 Under 40”
• SD Metro Magazine, “Top 40 Under 40”
• San Diego Business Journal, “Next Top Business Leaders Under 40” Finalist
Publications & Presentations
• “Scheduling Impact Claims, Common Legal Issues and Practical Considerations for Asserting and Proving Delay, Disruption, and Acceleration Claims,” Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Diego, September 2023 (Presenter)
• “Construction Law Update” Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Diego, July 2023 (Presenter)
• “Construction Law Update” Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA)’s San Diego Chapter, June 2023 (Presenter)
• 2023 Annual Meeting, ABA Forum on Construction Law, April 2023 (Moderator)
• “Scheduling Impact Claims, Common Legal Issues and Practical Considerations for Asserting and Proving Delay, Disruption, and Acceleration Claims,” Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Diego, March 2023 (Presenter)
