Overview

Kenneth Schumaker’s practice focuses on all aspects of general civil litigation with an emphasis on construction law, which includes the representation of contractors, developers, owners and design professionals, contract and real property disputes, business and commercial matters, and insurance coverage and litigation issues.  Ken’s construction practice includes contract drafting/negotiation, bid protests, in-project consultation, and claims advice.

Ken is an AV Peer Review Rated lawyer, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethical standards. He was named in the Northern California Super Lawyers list in 2023 for excellence in construction litigation. He has been listed in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers list in 2016 and 2021 through 2023.

Ken received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1995.  While in law school, he served as an Articles and Book Review Editor for the Boston University Public Interest Law Journal.  Ken graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992 with Bachelors Degrees in History and Political Science.  He was admitted to practice in California in 1995, and was also admitted to practice in Nevada in 2000.

Education
  • Boston University School of Law
    J.D., 1995
  • University of California, Berkeley
    B.A., 1992
    History and Political Science
Admissions
  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Nevada
Memberships
  • American Bar Association
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Construction Law Section
Experience

Speaking Engagements

  • “A Construction Claims Primer: An Auditor’s Impact on the Claims Process,” 2015 National Association of Construction Auditors’ Annual Conference (March 31, 2015)
  • “How to Manage Construction Claims,” CFMA Sacramento Chapter (October 23, 2015)
  • “Managing Construction Claims: What Do You Do When a Good Project Goes Bad, or a Bad Project Gets Worse?”; 2012 National Association of Construction Auditors Annual Conference (September 17, 2012)
  • “A Construction Claims Primer: What do you do when a good project goes bad…or a bad project gets worse?”; Construction Financial Management Association, Sacramento Chapter (March 16, 2012)
  • “California Construction Contracts: ‘Battleground’ Clauses,” Construction Financial Management Association, Sacramento Chapter (September 16, 2011)
  • “The 2012 Mechanics’ Lien/Collection and Insurance Primer: Stay Ahead of the Curve,” Sacramento, CA (September 15, 2011)
  • “Survive & Thrive: New Legal Tools For Your Toolbox,” Presentations for San Ramon, CA (July 27, 2011), Stockton, CA (May 11, 2011), and Sacramento, CA (January 27, 2011)
  • “Public Works Construction: The Successful Project Primer,” Placerville, CA (March 1, 2011)
  • “Federal Construction Contracting: The Basics,” Sacramento, CA (April 13, 2010)
  • “Inside Counsel’s Guide to Preparing for and Managing Unexpected Legal Challenges and Emergencies,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Sacramento Chapter, Sacramento, CA (April 16, 2009)
  • “California Public Works Construction Projects,” Dublin, CA (April 15, 2009)
  • “California Employment Laws & the Construction Industry,” Sacramento, CA (March 24, 2009)
  • “California Employment Laws & the Construction Industry,” Sacramento, CA (November 11, 2008)
  • “Construction Law and the Receiver,” Presenter, Sacramento Receivers’ Forum, Sacramento, CA (November 29, 2007)
  • “California Public Works/Construction Contracts from Bidding to Completion,” Panelist, Lorman Seminar, Sacramento, CA (2005-2009)
Awards
  • Named in Northern California Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation (2023)
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Construction (2016, 2021-2023)
  • Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
  • 2016 CFMA Sacramento Chapter Associate Member of the Year
News