On November 8, 2024, in Marina v. Bama Reinforcing, LLC, the Alabama Supreme Court addressed a trial court’s directed verdict on an injured construction worker’s negligence action. The worker was employed as a concrete finisher by the contractor on the new FBI building being constructed at Redstone Arsenal outside of Huntsville, Alabama. While working
Litigation
Merely Copying In-House Counsel Does Not Necessarily Establish Attorney-Client Privilege
Businesses who employ in-house attorneys frequently assume that copying their lawyer on internal communications shields the communications from discovery because of the attorney-client privilege. In 1981, the U.S. Supreme Court articulated the rule that the attorney-client privilege protects communications (a) between attorneys and clients (b) that are maintained in confidence and (c) that were made…
Mistake No. 7 of the Top 10 Horrible, No-Good Mistakes Construction Lawyers Make: Not Paying Attention to Your Arbitrator or Judge During a Hearing
I have practiced law for 40 years with the vast majority as a “construction” lawyer. I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when representing a party and when serving over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. To be clear, I have made my share of mistakes. I learned from…
Must Read Decision Involving Construction Joint Ventures
A recent decision from the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, is a MUST READ for any lawyer or construction executive involved with joint ventures (“JV’s”). This decision provides a rare, detailed look into the contentious dynamics at play when JV relationships go bad. The case also discusses how the relationships…
Mistake No. 5 of the Top 10 Horrible, No-Good Mistakes Construction Lawyers Make: Being a Jerk to Opposing Counsel
I have practiced law for 40 years with the vast majority as a “construction” lawyer. I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when representing a party and when serving over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. To be clear, I have made my share of mistakes. I learned from…
The Finality of Arbitration: Supreme Court of South Carolina Curbs Arbitration Panel’s Authority
Will White is a co-author of this post, and is a Summer Associate at Bradley.
One of the several attractive aspects of arbitration is the finality of the decision. With limited grounds to appeal or vacate an arbitration award, litigants can generally expect a final award to end any controversy between them. There are, however…
Mistake No. 4 of the Top 10 Horrible, No-Good Mistakes Construction Lawyers Make: Not Knowing When to Fold ‘Em
I have practiced law for 40 years with the vast majority as a “construction” lawyer. I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when representing a party and when serving over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. To be clear, I have made my share of mistakes. I learned from…
Court Confirms Jury Verdict for AECOM in I-70 Construction Dispute with FlatIron
We previously blogged about the hotly contested dispute between AECOM and FlatIron involving the I-70 construction project outside of Denver. After an 18-day trial, the jury returned a verdict last month for plaintiff AECOM on its breach of contract claim. Interestingly, the size of the jury’s verdict, roughly $5 million, was consistent with FlatIron’s attempted…
Mistake No. 2 of the Top 10 Horrible, No-Good Mistakes Construction Lawyers Make: Not Educating Clients on the Pros and Cons of Arbitration
I have practiced law for 40 years, with the vast majority of that time spent as a “construction lawyer.” I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when on the other side of a dispute, as well as when serving well over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. To be…
The Top 10 Horrible, No-Good Mistakes Construction Lawyers Make: Mistake No. 1: Not Realizing It’s All About the Facts
I have practiced law for 40 years, with the vast majority spent as a “construction lawyer.” I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when on the other side of a dispute, as well as when serving well over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. To be clear, I have…