Steven J Johnson, NCARB, AIA

Building forensics and litigation expert

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Steven J. Johnson, AIA, is a licensed architect and design/build professional specializing in forensic architecture, construction evaluation, and expert witness support for litigation, arbitration, and mediation. With more than twenty-five years of practice in architecture, construction management, and owner representation, he brings uncommon depth of field experience and professional judgment to the technical and contractual complexities behind construction failures, design disputes, and performance claims. Steven’s career has been built at the intersection of design intent, construction means and methods, and accountability. He has served as an architect of record, design/builder, and owner’s representative on projects exceeding $100 million in value — giving him a first-hand understanding of how real-world decisions affect code compliance, building performance, cost control, and life safety. His expertise spans commercial, mixed-use, industrial, hospitality, and multi-family housing, as well as independent, assisted, and skilled nursing facilities. As Principal Architect and Managing Partner of LINEA Consulting LLC, Steven leads investigations, documentation, and expert analysis on cases involving water intrusion, envelope failure, construction defects, accessibility compliance, and standard of care. His approach combines a rigorous understanding of the International Building Code, AIA contract language, and accepted industry standards with a clear, organized presentation of findings. Steven’s background includes seventeen years of design/build construction management, seven years as Director of Design and Construction for a national senior living developer/operator, and multiple roles as exam qualifier and general contractor. His professional credentials and long-term relationships with owners, contractors, and engineers give him a practical, balanced understanding of responsibility and causation — key to resolving disputes efficiently and credibly. He is frequently retained to prepare expert opinions, affidavits, and independent technical evaluations that help clarify liability and facilitate resolution before trial. His opinions are grounded in code analysis, construction sequencing, life-safety evaluation, and accepted professional standards — with an emphasis on objective evidence. Steven is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and NCARB, and a regular presenter for national conferences such as AIA North Carolina, LeadingAge National, and Environments for Aging. His work has consistently focused on the truth within the built environment — uncovering how design, materials, and execution intersect to produce either excellence or failure. His philosophy is direct: Every building tells a story. The expert’s job is to translate it clearly, truthfully, and technically, and not just dump data on attorneys. For attorneys, insurers, and owners navigating complex construction disputes, Steven Johnson provides credible, articulate, and defensible expertise — rooted in decades of design/build experience and a career devoted to professional integrity.