Construction Professionals
GRSM’s nationwide coverage of the construction and engineering industry’s legal needs extends to representation of all participants and professionals in the industry. This includes architects, engineers of all disciplines, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, developers and owners. Our deep bench of more than 240 attorneys also advises and counsels affiliated participants, including environmental consultants, surveyors, design joint ventures, property managers, material suppliers, product manufacturers, and related consultants and service providers.
We protect our construction clients in disputes and litigation as well as steer them through their important contracts, transactions and agreements.
Experienced in the complexities of high-profile projects, we bring our background and network in private, public and P3 construction projects to bear. We regularly represent design professionals and contractors in mediations, arbitrations and litigation in complex disputes involving:
- Horizontal infrastructure projects. Bridges, highways, dams, sewer lines and wastewater treatment plants, power generation and transmission projects, tunneling projects, and cellular networks.
- Vertical construction projects. Universities, hospitals, commercial office buildings, courthouses, prisons, and all types of residential and mixed-use projects.
Construction and design professionals count on our reputation for handling large, complicated construction disputes for major contractors and design firms and our record of resolving disputes without the need for an expensive, protracted trial.
GRSM lawyers understand that the potential exposure that design professionals face is tremendous. Clients’ reputations and livelihoods are on the line. We regularly counter high- stakes allegations, such as claims involving tunnel and bridge collapses, dam leakages and interstate highway construction.
Our counsel to architects and engineers typically involves comprehensive contract drafting and administration support as well as the defense, and enforcement when necessary, of an array of claims:
- Negligent design and defective design
- Defective new construction and negligent development
- Cost overruns
- Defamation and tortious interference
- Liens, including insolvency
We represent numerous general contractors in the drafting, negotiation and administration of contracts with owners and subcontractors. When disputes arise, we offer a proven record of defense in which we have mitigated exposure and preserved professional standing.
Our construction lawyers have represented large general contractors in a range of consolidated lawsuits involving:
- Catastrophic injury claims
- Construction defects
- Defective concrete specifications
- HOA claims
- Breach of contract
- Delays and terminations for default
For example, we obtained a complete defense verdict against a $3.2 million claim for indemnity brought by a general contractor. We overcame a contractual challenge involving a Type I indemnity provision in favor of the general contractor, and the court ruled that our client was not negligent.
GRSM is proud to serve as counsel to many of the top firms recognized by ENR, a reflection of our more than 50 years advising the industry. In 2024, Construction Executive ranked us a top 5 law firm for the industry and business of construction.
As former construction tradesmen, trained mediators, and lawyers with degrees in biochemistry, environmental studies, engineering, mathematics, quantitative economics, and decision science, we understand construction.
We also understand the constant pressure on budgets and project timelines. We add efficiency by evaluating claims early, assessing potential exposure, and recommending practical solutions. GRSM attorneys enjoy productive relationships with many insurance brokers serving the industry and stay ahead of best practices in the field.