Construction

On site, in the trailers, in courtrooms, and boardrooms, Venable's Construction Law Group guides the industry's leading players through every stage in the life cycle of their projects. Our attorneys are recognized trendsetters whose practical, hands-on understanding of our clients' businesses and goals, and the actual process and challenges of construction, empowers them to deliver the best possible solutions.

From the initial financing and structuring through close-out and completion, our coast-to-coast team has the collective experience needed to foresee and provide for everything from routine to unexpected events that can emerge in any project, whether in the United States or abroad. We work with owners, developers, architects, engineers, prime contractors, and subcontractors to draft, review, and negotiate virtually every type of construction agreement, always emphasizing risk mitigation through the agreement terms. Once a deal is under way, we assist in all aspects of project control and administration, including helping clients streamline their procurement operations from inception to award.

Whether dealing with mechanical liens, insurance issues, design and construction defects, or delay and inefficiency claims, we rigorously defend our clients' interests, often exploring solutions outside the court system to resolve disputes swiftly. We also have substantial experience in dealing with contract termination (for cause or convenience) and contractor and subcontractor bankruptcies. We've guided clients through issues related to the impacts of COVID-19, with particular emphasis on government mandates and guidelines, and on-site contamination mitigation measures. Whatever the challenge, our first-hand industry experience and the cohesiveness of our group – many of our attorneys started out in the construction business and have worked together for decades – allow us to work with maximum efficiency, saving time and money for our clients.

Project Focus

We provide counsel on a wide range of project types, including hotels and resorts, office buildings, major capital projects, major infrastructure projects (airports, bridges, and roads), power plants and energy, public-private partnerships, refineries, residential developments, shopping malls, sporting venues, and more. And we have contract experience in almost every sector, including energy/utility, office/commercial, industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, education, single- and multi-family residential, sports, public body, government, and retail.

Practice Focus

The Construction Law Group proactively counsels our clients on all aspects of their construction projects, including:

  • A/E Representation
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Arbitration/Mediation/ADR
  • Construction Claims and Disputes
  • Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiations
  • Corporate Governance
  • Defective Design and Construction
  • Delay and Inefficiency Claims
  • Insurance and Bonds
  • Mechanic's Liens
  • Procurement and Bidding
  • Project Controls/Contract Administration
  • Project Delivery Methods
  • Public and Government Contracting
  • Sustainable Design

Experience
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Mega Infrastructure/Energy Projects

Members of Venable’s Construction Law Group have worked on several major infrastructure projects/mega projects that have been recognized in the industry as top construction projects. 

  • Kansas City Power & Light’s Iatan 2 (Power Magazine – 2011 Plant of the Year – August 2011)
  • Constellation Energy’s Brandon Shores (Power Magazine – Top Seven Projects – October 2010)
  • Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering A Unit 1 (Engineering News-Record – Project Management of the Year – August 2005)

Public-Private Partnerships

  • For a major infrastructure company, we prepared and negotiated design-build agreements for engineering, procurement, and construction services for a $1 billion toll road in Texas
  • We also prepared and negotiated design-build contracts for its proposed prime contract with the State of Missouri for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 800 bridges, with a potential contract value of $900 million

Hotel and Resort Development

  • For a collection of luxury resorts, our work includes drafting, negotiating, and providing ongoing advice for contracts relating to interior design, architecture, engineering, construction, construction management, and equipment supply. We also assist with specialty projects that include the construction, renovation, and operation of hotels, resorts, and condominiums in the United States and the Caribbean. Projects range in value from the tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, with a combined value to date in the hundreds of millions of dollars
  • For a premier hospitality company, we draft and negotiate contracts for design and construction of hotels and advise on new construction and rehabilitation projects and on contract issues, including damages, liability, warranties, and claims. The combined value of our projects to date is nearly $250 million
  • For a leading extended stay hotel company, we are primary outside counsel. Our work includes drafting and negotiation of contracts for construction and rehabilitation projects, and resolution of post-construction claims

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

  • For a government prime contractor, we settled a dispute over the adequacy of equipment provided in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom. A subcontractor sued to recover $4.5 million, but, after pretrial rulings, the subcontractor paid $3 million to avoid trial
  • For an engineering and construction firm, we are providing vigorous counsel in major litigation involving the design and construction of bridges in Florida

Recognition
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  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Lawyer of the Year, Chicago, 2017*
    • #1, Chicago, 2009*
    • #1, Illinois, 2009*
  • BTI Consulting Group, Innovation Builder, 2018* (Singled out by corporate counsel as one of only 28 percent of law firms that clients view as a BTI “Innovation Builder,” which recognizes firms that bring change to the legal market through new technology, services, strategies, or structures)
  • Chambers USA
    • Construction, Nationwide, 2017 – 2018*, 2021 – 2023
    • Construction, Illinois, 2015 – 2020*, 2021 – 2023
    • Construction, New York, 2015 – 2020*, 2021 – 2023
  • Construction Executive, Top 50 Construction Law Firms, #10, 2021
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Law Firm Award, 2018 (Recognized for excellence in construction law)*
  • Law360, Practice Group of the Year, Construction, 2018 – 2020*
  • Legal 500, Real Estate: Construction (including Construction Litigation), 2018 – 2020*, 2021 – 2023
  • Legalease, 2016 – 2017*
  • U.S. News – Best Lawyers
    • Best Law Firms, Litigation – Construction, Chicago, 2021*, 2022 – 2023
    • Best Law Firms, Litigation – Construction, Illinois, 2021*
    • Best Law Firms, Litigation – Construction, New York City, 2022 – 2023
    • Law Firm of the Year, Litigation – Construction, 2011 – 2012, 2020*
    • Best Law Firms, Construction Law (Tier 1), Chicago, 2012 – 2020*, 2022 – 2023
    • Best Law Firms, Construction Law (Tier 1), New York City, 2022 – 2023
    • Best Law Firms, Construction Law (Tier 1), National, 2014 – 2015, 2017 – 2020*, 2023
    • Best Law Firms, Construction Law (Tier 2), National, 2011 – 2013*

*Honor awarded before group joined Venable.