Jonathan Freilich
Partner
Jonathan has managed all aspects of prosecuting and defending mechanics’ lien, construction defect, fraud, delay, acceleration, and payment disputes, whether in mediation, arbitration, or litigation. He has tried cases to verdict and presented winning summary judgment and appellate arguments. Jonathan’s litigation experience informs his approach to drafting and negotiating contracts in a manner that minimizes his clients’ exposure to potential litigation and liability. Previously, he was an associate at a top construction law firm and has experience representing victims of asbestos-related diseases in personal injury litigation.
Related Practices
Related Industries
Experience
Experience
Representative Matters
- Assisted in mediating and drafting the opinion for a $90 million delay and construction defect dispute between a design firm and contractor on a highway infrastructure project
- Advise an airport owner in defending and prosecuting multi-million-dollar delay, acceleration, design error, and construction defect claims concerning the design and construction of a light rail airport transit system project that is still in progress
- Advise a hospital owner in defending against claims and avoiding litigation against its architect and contractor concerning project delays and design errors for an ongoing project
- Successfully mediated more than $8 million in delay and acceleration claims on behalf of a curtainwall subcontractor for a new construction university sports facility project
- Defeated a $3 million design defect claim against an architect client on summary judgment and on appeal that created a significant precedent ruling regarding language used in standard American Institute of Architects (AIA) contracts
- Successfully prosecuted construction defect claims on behalf of a building owner against the building’s architect through trial in state court
- Favorably negotiated a settlement of over $30 million in delay and construction defect claims on behalf of a curtainwall subcontractor for a new construction university dormitory
- Successfully defended an architect in arbitration against homeowners, resulting in a zero-dollar verdict against the client
Insights
Insights
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- J.D. Loyola University Chicago School of Law 2009
- Recipient, CALI Award, Legal Writing
- B.S.E. Civil and Environmental Engineering cum laude University of Michigan 2005
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Professional Memberships and Activities
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Lawyers for the Creative Arts
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Member, Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys
Recognition
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2025
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Illinois, 2016 – 2022
- Legal 500, Real Estate - Construction (including Construction Litigation), 2019, 2022, 2025