Willdan

Willdan, an engineering consulting firm owned by Willdan Group, Inc., appeals following dismissal of its indemnity and declaratory relief claims against Sialic Contractors Corporation, doing business as Shawnan, and from an order granting Shawnan’s motion for attorney fees. We reverse.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. The Improvement of Santa Monica Boulevard

In 1997 the City acquired the three-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard located within its city limits from the California Department of Transportation. After the acquisition the City decided to completely refurbish the boulevard, which had fallen into disrepair, including removal and replacement of the roadway, construction of sidewalks and traffic medians and installation of new traffic signals and extensive landscaping. The City retained Willdan, which had previously done work for the City, to, among other things, design the roadway, prepare the construction documents for the street improvements and provide construction management services. The City contracted with other consultants as well, including Associated Soils Engineering, Inc. (Associated Soils), to test construction materials. The City retained…