An aggressive and seasoned litigator, Theodore B. Kiviat has successfully and zealously represented his clients in motions hearings, trials, depositions, mediations and negotiations across the country at both the state and federal level.  From case onset through discovery and trial, Mr. Kiviat brings with him a keen ability to recognize and account for critical issues before they develop, a practical understanding of technical construction matters and an attention to detail which is an asset to his clients in this often highly technical area of the law.

Mr. Kiviat practices in the Firm's Commercial Litigation department, where he currently represents and advises national and local homebuilders and land developers, among other commercial clients, in civil litigation, real estate, and dispute avoidance matters.  Mr. Kiviat has multi-jurisdictional experience litigating construction defect, product liability, and commercial claims for both plaintiffs and defendants at the state and federal level.  Prior to joining Shulman Rogers, Mr. Kiviat was a litigator with Venable LLP’s Construction Practice Group, where Mr. Kiviat served as co-national counsel for a prominent national hospitality company in prosecuting multi-state construction defect litigation.  Before joining Venable LLP, Mr. Kiviat practiced in California, where he aggressively litigated for his clients inside the country’s largest and busiest court system, the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  While litigating in California, Mr. Kiviat’s efforts for his clients resulted in two jury verdicts that awarded punitive damages, including a multi-million dollar award against a well known Hollywood director.

Mr. Kiviat received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he was recognized as the student leader of the year in 1989.  Mr. Kiviat received his J.D., from the California Western School of Law in San Diego, California where he was awarded the “American Jurisprudence Award” for excellence in the study of trial practice. Mr. Kiviat is a 1985 graduate of Winston Churchill High School.

Reported Decisions

Stevenson v. District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, 845 A.2d. 523 (D.C. 2004)