Meet the Partners responsible for successfully recovering millions of dollars for its clients
For over twenty five years, DCS has been providing experienced, reliable and committed legal resources to homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Meet the Partners responsible for successfully recovering millions of dollars for its clients:
Michael Dicks has extensive trial and mediation experience, having represented thousands of homeowners and successfully recovering millions of dollars for his Association clients.
His unique insight into the plight of the homeowner involved in, or anticipating construction defect litigation, has led Mr. Dicks to dedicate his legal practice exclusively to the representation of plaintiff homeowner associations. Mr. Dicks' impressive case review of settlements and verdicts has allowed him to acquire expertise in every aspect of construction deficiencies and failures in developments throughout Southern California and Arizona.
Mr. Dicks is a 1989 Cum Laude graduate of California Western School of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University in 1986. Mr. Dicks studied international law overseas through Regent College of Law in 1988. With his father and two older brothers providing a lineage of lawyers, Mr. Dicks has a strong background in the legal profession. Mike is a licensed attorney in California and Arizona and is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as state and local bar associations.
He is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) and both the California and Arizona Trial Lawyers Association. He also is a frequent speaker at CAI National Conferences on the topic of construction defects, and recently spoke at the California Cjer conference before the California complex case judges. Mr. Dicks' industry affiliations include his active involvement in the Community Associations Institute (CAI), his membership in the Presidents Club for the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) and his founding membership status with the California Association of Community Managers (CACM).
Mr. Coglianese limits his practice to the representation of homeowners and their associations. However, he brings broad insight and an interesting perspective to the process, having worked previously on behalf of contractors as a defense attorney, and also with CIGNA Property and Casualty Company, gaining invaluable experience in insurance coverage.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Rutgers University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law. He has extensive experience in all aspects of construction defect litigation. He has participated in numerous mediations, and has trial experience in both state and federal courts.
Chris's experience with CIGNA increased his familiarity with the law of insurance coverage, so important in securing payments from the insurance carriers for careless builders, subcontractors and design professionals.
Mr. Coglianese utilizes his background knowledge and experience to great advantage for his association clients. He has been instrumental in the recovery of several millions of dollars necessary to effect repairs resulting from substandard construction.
Mr. Coglianese is a licensed attorney in California, Arizona and Florida. He is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Federal, State, and local Bar Associations in California, Arizona and Florida, and has been listed in the International "Who's Who" of young professionals. He was awarded membership in the "Million Dollar Advocates Forum." Mr. Coglianese speaks regularly for various organizations on matters relating to construction defect litigation, including speaking engagements at the CAI National Conference, and West Coast Casualty Seminar in Anaheim, California. Additionally, he is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC).
Gina joins Dicks, Coglianese & Shuquem with more than 25 years experience in the legal industry as a legal secretary, paralegal, office administrator and controller. Gina also spent 6 years as a licensed insurance broker representing both insurance carriers and business owners.
Most recently she held the position of Chief Financial Officer for a privately-owned corporation in the healthcare industry administering $30 million in annual revenues.
During her tenure as CFO, this company experienced its most profitable years. Gina’s knowledge and experience in all facets of the legal and insurance environment, together with her accomplishments in financial management make her an invaluable member of the Dicks, Coglianese & Shuquem team.
Our clients can be assured that settlement recoveries are properly held in trust, managed and disbursed with the highest degree of accuracy and financial expertise, and that Gina will be available to answer any questions or comments that they may have. She works in the firm’s Phoenix, Arizona office.
We are very thankful that you believed in the case I just wanted to thank you and your staff for all the hard work you did on our case. Nick and I are very appreciative of the time your firm took for us and the other class members. It was a long road to the end but we are very thankful that you believed in the case and continued to support it.
I just wanted to thank you and your staff for all the hard work you did on our case. Nick and I are very appreciative of the time your firm took for us and the other class members. It was a long road to the end but we are very thankful that you believed in the case and continued to support it.
We are truly grateful Thank you all for achieving an awesome settlement for Costa Brava! We are truly grateful.
Thank you all for achieving an awesome settlement for Costa Brava! We are truly grateful.
Worked hard to back up its promise Your firm was always optimistic and worked hard to back up its promise to resolve our litigation as expeditiously as possible. During the investigative process, your staff did an excellent job of managing the contractors selected to conduct the invasive testing of our homes.
Your firm was always optimistic and worked hard to back up its promise to resolve our litigation as expeditiously as possible. During the investigative process, your staff did an excellent job of managing the contractors selected to conduct the invasive testing of our homes.
Made the Board feel confident and well informed at every turn Construction defect litigation is a long and arduous task, and Mr. Dicks and his team made the Board feel confident and well informed at every turn.
Construction defect litigation is a long and arduous task, and Mr. Dicks and his team made the Board feel confident and well informed at every turn.
We are especially pleased We are especially pleased with the extent of your ability in protecting your client's rights and the expeditious decision of our case.
We are especially pleased with the extent of your ability in protecting your client's rights and the expeditious decision of our case.
Clearly had the Association's best interests at heart With our litigation against Wilma Pacific now essentially concluded, I'd like to extend my thanks on behalf of the Camelot Homeowners Association to you and your firm for all of your hard work in driving it to a very successful conclusion. Christopher Coglianese and Jeff Miller deserve much of the thanks for their diligent pursuit of this case and their professional handling of the many issues that arose during the process. I enjoyed working with each of you as I think you clearly had the Association's best interests at heart
With our litigation against Wilma Pacific now essentially concluded, I'd like to extend my thanks on behalf of the Camelot Homeowners Association to you and your firm for all of your hard work in driving it to a very successful conclusion. Christopher Coglianese and Jeff Miller deserve much of the thanks for their diligent pursuit of this case and their professional handling of the many issues that arose during the process. I enjoyed working with each of you as I think you clearly had the Association's best interests at heart
Everyone's performance was truly first class. As we finish our re-construction project, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and Mike and your entire staff for all you have done for our association. Everyone's performance was truly first class. We were treated as though we were your only project. We had your undivided attention.
As we finish our re-construction project, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and Mike and your entire staff for all you have done for our association. Everyone's performance was truly first class. We were treated as though we were your only project. We had your undivided attention.
Diligent expertise in handling our defect case On behalf of the Board of Directors and homeowners of Morning Sun Condominium Owners Association I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your diligent expertise in handling our defect case.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and homeowners of Morning Sun Condominium Owners Association I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your diligent expertise in handling our defect case.
Settlement/Judgment - $285,000.00
Duration - 13 months
DCS will arrange for a licensed general contractor or architect to perform a complete walk-through inspection and evaluation of your home, building, grounds and common areas. But don't take our word for it: see some of the many letters of appreciation that we've received from our clients.