The owner of CLK Construction, Cortlandt Koerwitz, started building at a young age. He loved to help his grandfather with remodeling work and other projects for family members. Cortlandt attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael and then went on to graduate from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Construction Management. He then worked for a large commercial builder and then two national home builders. Cortlandt then was accepted and began attending McGeorge School of Law at night and started CLK Construction in order to maintain a flexible schedule that would allow him to attend school. The business started small and then began to grow. By the time he graduated from McGeorge four years later, the business was taking on whole-house remodels. Cortlandt passed the Bar Exam in 1999. He said he would continue the construction business a little longer because it was so enjoyable and he loved working with great clients. Cortlandt has appeared as an expert witness on occasion, but has never practiced law to this day.