The youngest of my four kids are my twin daughters. Kindergarten-bound, the twins could not be more different. 

I’ve always loved that about my girls. I figure, if I’m gonna pay for two more, I may as well have two really different ones! 😉

So I’ve been on a hiring spree lately!

Super excited that Todd R. Brand, a seasoned construction attorney, joined the firm in May to bolster our dispute resolution practice with his mediation, arbitration, and litigation experience. Days ago I hired an Office Manager, a rising law student. The hunt is also on for our third attorney: an experienced transactions lawyer who can help our clients negotiate good design and construction contracts and select an appropriate project delivery method.  

After 17 years in “big law” and the last 20 months as a “true solo attorney,” I was getting a little lonely around here! It’s nice to have some company in the office.

You know what’s also exciting? As a Liaison to the AIA Contract Documents Committee, I got a sneak peek at its new ‘in-development’ BIM Contract Documents in May. I’ve written and spoken about the AIA’s 2013 Digital Practice Documents quite a bit. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the new versions.   

Todd has me thinking dispute resolution, so I wrote a post on delay claims: They Don't Call It the "Critical Path" For Nothing: Delay-Related Claims For Extra Time and Money. At 16 single spaced pages, this tome may be the longest thing I’ve written…voluntarily.

Somewhat less voluntarily, hahaha, Todd is writing “101 Ways to Defeat Illinois Mechanics Lien Claims” for our next newsletter. I wanted “1,001 Ways” but we compromised. A huge part of our practice is Making Lien Claims and Defeating Lien Claims.

Speaking of newsletters, my last dozen are now archived here: Slightly Aged Newsletters. 

Here’s the smartest thing I’ve heard in a year: Steve Burrows’ explanation why This is the Greatest Time in History to be in Construction on the Art of Construction Podcast. You can watch the video or listen to the podcast. He’s a visionary who I hope to meet someday.

I’m also super excited to get back to in-person meetings downtown! 

I had a bunch this week, and got a bear hug from a real estate developer! 

It is great to get back to something like normal!

If you can’t get enough of my mellifluous tones, you’ll love these videos…

This one is mostly a rant: What’s The #1 Thing I Wish People Understood About Preparing Design and Construction Contracts? Had to blow off some steam.

I am really proud of this video: Using Mechanics Liens to Get Paid, an hour-long talk for AIA Chicago. If nothing else, it’s worth watching to see the giant telescope I keep in my office.

If you’ve ever wondered What Are the Three Most Important Illinois Mechanics Lien Forms, wonder no more! This is important for project owners.

Why Can Developers and Owners Be Forced to Pay Twice For the Same Work, you ask? I explain the risk in that video. And how to prevent it in this post.

I address a preventable way to invite a problem in this video: What Do Smart Project Owners Understand About Design-Build MEP/FP? Good contracts are key.

My ever-growing Video Library now boasts some 60 videos in these categories: Contract Negotiation Videos, Videos for Design Professionals, Videos for Project Owners and Developers, and Dispute Resolution Videos! Please check em’ 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, recent blog posts, and firm news, plus tips and information 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!