Find Lawyers in Florida, United States for Construction Law
Practice Area Overview
For a typical project, a construction lawyer may be called upon to assist the owner in obtaining land for the project. Buying the land and building a project on the land often requires financing from another source, and construction lawyers often help prepare and negotiate the various loan documents that define the rights of the bank, bondholders, or other source of funding.
Construction lawyers may assist owners and developers in deciding which project delivery approach best suits their project, such as design-bid-build, design build, or multi-prime construction. Then, construction lawyers may help draft requests for bids to allow the owner or developer to identify a contractor. A lawyer may help determine whether a bid can be withdrawn due to a mistake. For certain public projects where the owner is a city, county, state, or arm of the federal government, a construction lawyer may be called upon to file a bid protest to challenge the fairness of the bidding process.
After the project is awarded, lawyers are often involved in drafting and negotiating contracts between the owner and general contractor or the general contractor and its subcontractors. Lawyers also may be involved in documenting insurance and bonding arrangements to secure performance of the work and protect the parties against property damage or personal injuries.
During the project, construction lawyers are often called upon to help the participants understand their contracts and comply with them. Many construction lawyers see this kind of work as extremely rewarding, because their guidance can help keep construction on track toward a successful conclusion. Where contractors or subcontractors are not being paid for their work, construction lawyers may file liens or bond claims to secure payment for their clients’ work.
Construction projects are complex, expensive, stressful, and sometimes dangerous, and thus give rise to many different kinds of disputes, including disputes about the cost and duration of the project, the quality of the work, and responsibility for injuries or damages suffered during the work or, sometimes, after the work is completed. Construction disputes are often complex, involving many parties and substantial amounts of money, so construction lawyers often engage in complex commercial litigation. Many construction contracts call for dispute resolution through dispute review boards, mediation, and arbitration, so a successful construction lawyer will understand the advantages, disadvantages, and nuances of alternative dispute resolution techniques.
While often seen as a specialist, a construction lawyer is, in many ways, a generalist who must be prepared to deal with almost any kind of legal problem that may affect the construction industry, whether that problem involves contract law, banking law, tax law, environmental law, criminal law, international law, bankruptcy law, real property law, insurance law, tort law, bond and lien law, administrative law, or litigation.
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Robert Alfert, Jr., is a Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney in Construction Law, and an experienced Construction Arbitrator. He concentrates his practice in construction law and litigation, infrastructure and transportation, including public-private partnerships. His experience in construction and infrastructure derives from his education and prior work experience in architecture, in addition to more than twenty-five years of handling complex construction matters and infrastructure projects...
There’s a reason for the row of hard hats hanging on the wall in Chip Bachara’s office. The founding partner of Bachara Construction Law group has spent his entire life in and around the construction industry. Following in the footsteps of his father, a WWII veteran who returned from the Pacific and became a homebuilder in Jacksonville, Chip literally learned the business from the ground up. He worked as a laborer for his father’s company while in high school, then earned a ...
Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law and a LEED® Accredited Professional, Stacy Bercun Bohm represents developers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in complex construction contract, project administration, and litigation matters. She is one of the first lawyers in Florida to achieve both Board Certification and LEED accreditation. Chambers USA states, “She understands the industry and brings that knowledge to negotiations.” Stacy structur...
Ben Dachepalli has extensive experience negotiating and drafting construction-related agreements, and litigating complex construction claims regarding contract disputes, construction defects, design errors, surety bonds and construction liens. He is dedicated to understanding each client’s business to provide comprehensive strategies that go beyond legal issues, disputes or contracts. Ben is board certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law. He was selected as national coordinating...
Robert “Bob” de Flesco is a partner in CSK’s Fort Lauderdale West office. Mr. de Flesco devotes most of his practice to representing general contractors, subcontractors, developers, design professionals, material suppliers, and manufacturers in construction defect and delay claims. He also handles personal injury matters on behalf of architects, engineers, and contractors. Since becoming a lawyer, Mr. de Flesco has represented hundreds of clients in matters of all sizes, fro...
Bret Feldman is a board-certified construction lawyer practicing in the areas of construction and commercial litigation. He specializes in resolving construction disputes for clients through negotiation, litigation, arbitration, or mediation. His clients typically include project developers, engineers, architects, contractors, sub-contractors, material suppliers, property owners, and condominium and homeowners’ associations. In addition to drafting and negotiating construction contracts...
Tim is a Shareholder in the firm’s Construction and Design Group. As a Board Certified Construction lawyer by The Florida Bar, he has experience representing owners, developers, contractors, construction managers, design professionals and subcontractors in all phases of the construction process, with an emphasis on complex construction litigation. Tim also serves on the firm's recruiting committee as the firm's hiring shareholder. Active in both professional and Bar-related activities, ...
Melinda S. (“Mindy”) Gentile is of counsel in Peckar & Abramson’s Miami office, and serves as co-chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Leveraging her more than 35 years’ experience as a construction lawyer and commercial litigator, Mindy is a highly qualified Construction Arbitrator, Mediator, Neutral Evaluator, Dispute Board Member, Special Master, Fee Expert, and Private Resolution Judge. Known for her insightful and practical approach, s...
Steven Gonzalez' practice focus is on real estate, commercial litigation and construction administration and litigation. He has assisted clients with bid protests, contract negotiations, project administration (including claims management and preservation) and post construction litigation. Steven has tried and arbitrated complex construction and design defects, claim disputes and non-payment cases. He has also negotiated numerous construction contracts, including construction management, arch...
Reed has been practicing law in the state of Florida for over 30 years. Taylor Day is honored to have his knowledge and experience in law as not only a valuable member of our team, but also by serving as a shareholder of the firm. Reed is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, which deems him an expert in construction law and litigation matters, but that isn’t the only reason clients request to work with him. Reed prides himse...
Travis Halstead is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of general and complex civil litigation with a focus in construction and financial services litigation. Travis typically represents architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect and contract claims. Travis also defends banking institutions in consumer debt litigation. Travis graduated the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor degree...
Adam Handfinger is co-managing partner of the firm’s Miami office. He is certified by the Florida Bar as a Construction Law Specialist and focuses his practice on construction law and commercial litigation matters, representing construction professionals in issues relating to construction defects, contract negotiation, project management, payment, bond claims, and the project closeout process, as well as the litigation of disputes. Adam’s experience includes settlement negotiation...
Michael Hornreich focuses his practice in the areas of construction law and construction litigation, in which he has wide-ranging experience in trial, arbitration and administrative proceedings. Formerly a civil engineer, Mike participated in the design of major environmental facilities. This background, combined with his extensive experience trying major construction disputes to juries, as well as bench trials, board proceedings and arbitrations, enables Mike to quickly get to the bottom lin...
Joel W. Hyatt focuses his practice on commercial, construction, real estate, labor and employment, and community association litigation. Joel works with local and national companies, community associations, and individuals to navigate through complex business and legal issues, including all manner of contract disputes, collections, construction liens, foreclosure, replevin, enforcement of non-competition agreements, interpretation and enforcement of governing documents, and title disputes.
Tom Icard focuses his nationally recognized practice on construction related matters, from preparation and review of contract documents to claims negotiation and multi-party litigation (2016 Best Lawyers in America Sarasota metro area “Construction Lawyer of the Year”). He has represented both public and private owners, as well as developers, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals with respect to the construction of industrial facilities, airports, power plants, muni...
Harold Lang's practice focuses entirely on litigating complex civil cases in state and federal court. He represents both plaintiff and defendant in high-stakes litigation, which frequently focus on “litigation holds” and the discovery of electronically stored information (“ESI”). Mr. Lang’s experience includes a broad range of matters, such as commercial litigation, construction litigation, catastrophic injury and negligent security.
Along with years of litigation experience, Todd MacLeod brings a wealth of direct construction and business knowledge to his practice of construction law. A successful general contractor, business owner and corporate executive prior to his legal career, Todd has both first-hand knowledge of the construction industry and a deep understanding of the challenges his clients face. He takes great satisfaction in utilizing his diverse knowledge and experience to craft effective legal strategies and ...
Felipe Mejia is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. He specializes in construction and complex litigation representing design professionals, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and condominium associations. He is also experienced in cases involving bodily injury, premises liability, first party property and workers compensation. Mr. Mejia previously served as general counsel for condominium associations. Felipe received his B.A. High Honors from the University of Florida a...
Jacqueline Miller has experience in real estate, construction law and litigation, probate, and estate/trust administration and litigation. Her focus areas of law also include land use and general business planning.Ms. Miller began her career in the litigation department of an Atlanta law firm, handling a wide variety of commercial disputes. She is also a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator and previously served as Special Master for the Palm Beach County Value Adjustment Bo...
Brett works with clients before, during and after construction drafting/negotiating contracts, project administration to avoid disputes and ensure project success and, where unavoidable, the litigation of claims. Brett graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami in 2012, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He went on to receive a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude and as a member of the Order of the Coif. While in law sch...
Chris is Board Certified by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education in construction law, a distinction that is unique to less than 400 attorneys in the state. During his career, he has worked with general contractors, sureties, subcontractors and specialty trade contractors, product manufacturers, architects, and engineers in matters ranging from defective construction or design, delays, contract disputes, lien and payment disputes, and construction-site personal injury. C...
Sean Mulhall is a Partner in the Jacksonville office. Mr. Mulhall has twenty five years of experience defending clients in civil litigation. He has represented clients in state and federal trial courts throughout the State of Florida during his career, and has handled appeals in Florida and Federal appellate courts. Mr. Mulhall is a member of the Florida Bar, and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, all of Florida’s federal distri...
Stevan Pardo, Chair, Construction, Hotel and Litigation Groups at Pardo Jackson Gainsburg, is a leading authority on Florida construction and corporate hospitality law. During his more than 30 years as a construction litigator, Stevan has represented companies involved in virtually all aspects of the construction industry including owners, contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and insurers. His legal representations have included delay and defect claims arising out of c...
Jim Prichard is Ball Janik LLP's Managing Partner and maintains a broad practice in all aspects of construction law. He is a leader in the firm’s growing regional and national practice, prosecuting and defending design and construction defect claims. As plaintiff’s counsel, he has been instrumental in achieving some of the largest settlements in Oregon. He represents a wide range of clients in the Western states and Florida, including owners of single family residences, townhomes,...
Stephen Reisman is Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Peckar & Abramson and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Reisman’s primary area of practice is Construction Law and he is certified by the Florida Bar as a Construction Law Specialist. His practice includes the representation of general contractors, construction managers, and other construction professionals in the negotiation and preparation of construction documents, as well as in the negotiation, mediation, ...
Donald S. Rosenberg’s primary areas of practice are in complex real estate, financial transactions, corporate law and banking, as well as in matters involving construction, where he represents owners, developers, lenders and general contractors. In addition to practicing law, he has provided substantial services to the community. Since 1992, he has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Barry University and currently serves as a member of its investment committee and its finance...
Having tried construction cases throughout Florida, David is a trial lawyer, who also provides consultation on transactional matters. Approaching 20 years of experience, David is a Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law, and a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA), an invitation only organization with fewer than 100 members in the State. David devotes his practice to a broad array of construction-related matters, representing developers, contractors, and subcont...
Paul L. SanGiovanni has more than 25 years of experience in complex trial practice, including complex commercial and construction matters. Mr. SanGiovanni’s experience includes the representation of owners, general contractors and subcontractors on defect and contract claims, including claims on large commercial projects, multi-family high rise development, entertainment venues, theme parks and public projects such as the Orange County Courthouse, the Orlando International Airport and t...
Mr. Savitz regularly represents corporate and individual clients at both the trial and appellate level in matters involving construction litigation, franchise litigation, intellectual property litigation, and professional liability litigation including attorney, accountant, and design professional malpractice defense. He is also a certified mediator in federal court. Mr. Savitz is an approved panel attorney for most professional liability insurance carriers.
Seth Schimmel practices in the areas of construction and commercial litigation. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in design and construction disputes and complex commercial litigation throughout the state of Florida. In his construction practice, Mr. Schimmel represents engineers, architects, commercial and residential developers, owners, and general contractors in a wide range of litigation matters which include construction defect and delay claims, professional liability and erro...
Beth-Ann Schulman is a shareholder and chairs the firm’s Construction Law Group. She is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law. As such, she is an expert in construction law matters involving construction defects, professional liability, property damage, breach of contract, liens and insurance coverage. Ms. Schulman represents general contractors, subcontractors, developers, distributors, manufacturers and design professionals in all areas of construction law in both a l...
Kevin C. Schumacher is a partner in the firm's Miami office. Mr. Schumacher focuses his practice in the areas of general commercial and civil litigation, with an emphasis in construction litigation, landlord-tenant law, condominium law, banking law and real estate litigation. Mr. Schumacher is a Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law. Mr. Schumacher actively participates in several organizations in the community. He is a former member of the United Way Young Philanthropist steering co...
Neal Sklar's primary area of practice is focused on the representation of general contractors, construction managers and infrastructure contractors in a variety of construction related matters. These matters include providing counsel on state and federal government projects as well as Public Private Partnerships (P3s) involving transportation, commercial, heavy and social infrastructure, energy and multifamily residential projects. Mr. Sklar's services include the preparation and negotiation ...
A board certified construction law attorney, Jeremy Springhart concentrates his practice in the area of construction litigation, including delay damage and construction defect claims, professional negligence claims, claims for unforeseen site conditions, and payment disputes.He also represents contractors and their sureties in construction defect claims and liability insurance claims.Mr. Springhart is an experienced trial attorney, representing clients in federal and state courts. His courtro...
Gary M. Stein is the co-managing partner of the firm's Miami office. He also currently serves as general counsel for the South Florida Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (South Florida AGC). Mr. Stein’s primary area of practice is construction law and he is certified by the Florida Bar as a Construction Law Specialist. His practice includes the representation of general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, owner/developers and other construction prof...
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