I have the best telescope of all construction attorneys in Chicago! This Newtonian Reflector has a 10” mirror, baby! It could spot your headlights on the Moon!

Been wantin’ to get that off my chest for awhile now… 😁

I added four videos, a presentation, and an article to my website since my last newsletter…

Nobody likes claims, so I made a short video entitled Why Does Consistency Matter Within a Web of Design and Construction Contracts? Claims are bad enough. Having inconsistent terms among your several contracts for the same project can make it worse!

I recently shot What Are the Three Most Important Illinois Mechanics Lien Waivers? This video also relates to both contracts and dispute avoidance. In Illinois, whoever follows the Mechanics Lien Act the closest (almost) always wins lien claims.

Think you’re covered because you have a Certificate of Insurance? Think again! I shot Why Do Certificates of Insurance Have Limited Value in Design and Construction? to dispel insurance myths. The COI is important, but just as a starting point.

What's the most ubiquitous contract document on US construction projects? Check out my video Why Is the A201-2017 General Conditions Among the Most Important Contract Documents? and take a guess… 

In December, I was honored to present “Construction Contracts Primer: What Real Estate Attorneys Should Know” to the Chicago Bar Association’s Real Property Law Committee. I am not a real estate attorney, but I often partner with them to serve the same clients. The 75 minute video presentation and my Slide Deck is linked! Thanks Judge Chupack! 

My article on the same topic, Project Delivery Methods for Design and Construction: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know, is also linked. It has lots of pretty pictures to illustrate the contract webs which define various delivery methods…  

In firm news, I was proud to be named a Leading Lawyer in Construction Law for 2021, my seventh year of recognition by Law Bulletin Media. I was also named an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2021 for Construction Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, my eighth year of recognition from Thompson Reuters. Thank you! Both awards are based on peer recognition, cannot be purchased, and claim to recognize the top 5% of licensed attorneys in Illinois!

Also, in January, we reorganized my Video Library. We sorted dozens videos into four categorizes to make it more user-friendly: Contract Negotiation Videos, Videos for Design Professionals, Videos for Project Owners and Developers, and Dispute Resolution Videos! I hope you’ll check it out!

My clients are Architects and Engineers, Real Estate Developers, Property Owners and Contractors. My mission is to help people who design and construct buildings enter into good contracts, avoid disputes, and have their expectations met with ‘win-win’ outcomes. I price legal services based on value provided, not just hourly billing, to further that mission – and to make legal advice available to more people in design and construction.

I am also happy to provide this monthly e-newsletter, with links to my video library, blog posts, and firm news, plus tips and info about design and construction law, picking the right project delivery method, negotiating good contracts, proactive dispute avoidance and, when necessary, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

I never intend to intrude on your inbox. If you wish to unsubscribe, simply hit the unsubscribe button below. Thank you for your support of my firm!