Construction
Stevens & Lee’s construction litigators have broad and deep experience representing owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment manufacturers and design professionals in construction matters and related litigation. The team is led by Suzanne M. McSorley and Marianne J. Gilmartin, both of whom serve on the American Arbitration Association panel of construction and commercial neutrals.
Our construction attorneys have been in the field and on work sites for more than 40 years, so our legal advice is grounded in their direct, practical experience. We anticipate problems, recommend creative solutions and structure practical agreements. We listen to clients’ specific needs because a “win” can mean different things to different clients in different construction and legal environments. Whatever the goal, we efficiently analyze the substance of construction-related claims, help our clients respond in a decisive fashion and communicate effectively with all parties, from ironworkers and masons to engineers and experts.
Stevens & Lee not only knows construction law, we know the construction industry. We understand the economics, culture, language and technology that underlie modern building projects. We have extensive experience in negotiating and drafting construction contracts and advising our clients regarding performance bonds and payment bonds.
Our team of litigators has extensive expertise in preparing, analyzing, defending and prosecuting construction claims in all dispute resolution forums, including state and federal courts, mediations, arbitration hearings and jury trials. Our construction lawyers provide the full spectrum of services necessary to serve owners, contractors, construction managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors and suppliers, including:
- Breach of contract or contract interpretation
- Defective specifications or design
- Construction defects and failures
- Payment disputes
- Bid, payment, performance and other surety bond claims, including claims arising from the bid process, such as bid protests and bid withdrawals
- Delay, disruption, acceleration, inefficiency, interference, lost productivity and scope claims on both public and private projects
- OSHA and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance
- Construction-related property and casualty claims, including defective workmanship, heavy construction equipment and building collapse, warranties, facade failures, metal building component defects, water intrusion, mold and other environmental claims and consumer fraud
- Catastrophic injury claims involving methods, materials and heavy equipment used in construction projects
- Claims on behalf of and against homeowner and condominium associations
- Statutory claims relating to payments to contractors and subcontractors including claims under mechanics’ lien and construction lien statutes, state procurement codes and the prompt payment laws of multiple jurisdictions