John Theiss | Truss Faber Founder
Founding attorney John Theiss brings legal knowledge as a former large firm partner, paired with the first-hand industry experience of running an international federal government contractor. He has been a client himself and understands the CEO’s perspective. He founded Truss Faber because he is passionate about providing smart, practical legal solutions to the construction and manufacturing industries.
John earned his B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1988 and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1992. Driven by his interest in the construction industry, he completed his Master in Construction Management from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1996. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Washington, and U.S. Court of Federal Claims—his license to practice in Alaska is pending.
John is also the regional co-director for the Society of Construction Law North America, Seattle region.
“I love working for construction and manufacturing clients because it gives me the opportunity to contribute to large-scale projects and lasting end results. Every time I go through the Beacon Hill Tunnel in Seattle, I point it out to my kids because I am proud to have supported the team that built it. This work is important, and I feel privileged every day to partner with clients to build the future and help our society thrive and grow.”
READ The Story Behind the Name Truss Faber
Experience
TRUSS FABER PC
Founder
SEATTLE, WA | OCT 2019 - PRESENT
- Litigation, arbitration, and pre-dispute representation serving construction, engineering, architecture, manufacturing and government contracting industries. Services include business advice and contract structuring and negotiation.
- Providing outside general counsel for a subsidiary of a $1.5B civil construction firm and a $500M public manufacturing firm, working closely with leadership and the board.
SAN JUAN CONSTRUCTION, INC.
President & Chief Executive Officer
MONTROSE, CO | 2017 – 2019
Leader of a company that performed civil, industrial, marine, airfield and building construction services to the U.S. DoD for remote military bases in Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Grew business through strategic joint venture partnerships and establishing offices in the Philippines.
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Equity Partner and Chair of Construction, Design and Government Contracts Practice Groups
SEATTLE, WA | 2006 - 2016
- Represented commercial owners, design professionals, construction firms and manufacturers.
- Served as outsourced general counsel for large corporations handling a wide variety of matters.
- Retained as directors and officers coverage counsel defending a large public company in federal court.
- Successfully defended claims in London Court of International Arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Prevailed on all defenses entirely and secured award of all attorneys’ fees.
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
Equity Partner
SEATTLE, WA | 2016 - 2017 and 2004 - 2006
Senior member of Construction and Design Practice Group.
NAB CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
Vice President of Administration and General Counsel
NEW YORK, NY | 1999 - 2004
Part of the executive leadership team for New York City heavy civil public works contractor.
QUALITY FOOD CENTERS, INC.
Counsel
BELLEVUE, WA | 1996-1998
Sole attorney and member of the executive team, served through Fred Meyer and Kroger mergers.
Education
M.S., CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE, WA | 1996
Master’s Thesis: Developed mathematical model for estimating and pricing negotiated work.
J.D. | DEPAUL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW, CHICAGO, IL | 1992
Graduated with Honors, Order of the Coif
B.A., ECONOMICS | MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, MIDDLEBURY, VT | 1988
- Graduated Cum Laude: Major-Economics, Minor- Mathematics
- 1988 Bayard Russ Memorial Award - best two-sport athlete (football/baseball)
Affiliations
SOCIETY OF CONSTRUCTION LAW NORTH AMERICA
Regional Co-Director
SEATTLE, WA
AACE INTERNATIONAL
Membership
SEATTLE, WA
CAMPS CENTER FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Membership
SEATTLE, WA
Truss Faber PC provides legal counsel to the construction and manufacturing industries and companies involved in government contracts. Truss Faber’s senior-level team has deep experience and a proven track record of prioritizing results and efficiency over red tape, delivering clever solutions to complex legal problems.