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Overview

Calfee’s Construction attorneys provide construction transaction services and construction dispute resolution services. We are experienced in providing such services in relation to private and public construction projects and disputes, and we frequently are involved with projects and disputes that are outside the State of Ohio.

Calfee’s construction transaction services include drafting and providing assistance negotiating the terms of essentially every type of construction contract and other related documents, which are used in relation to various project delivery methods. The numerous types of contracts and documents we have prepared and negotiated on behalf of clients include the following:

  • General Contractor Agreements
  • Design-Build Agreements
  • Construction Manager Agreements
  • Architect Agreements
  • Agreements for Professional Services
  • Subcontract Agreements
  • Letters of Intent
  • Lien Waivers
  • Change Orders
  • Certificates of Completion

In addition to providing construction document drafting and negotiation services, Calfee’s construction transaction services also include counseling and assisting clients with respect to other issues relating to construction projects and transactions. For instance, Calfee frequently counsels and advises clients about project planning and development issues as well as performance and administration issues relating to construction projects.

Calfee’s construction dispute resolution services include representing our clients in relation to claims and disputes that arise out of and relate to construction-related projects, transactions, and/or products. Calfee’s Construction attorneys have extensive experience prosecuting and defending the claims of clients in federal courts, state courts, arbitrations, and mediations in Ohio and other jurisdictions. We also are adept and experienced at assisting our clients with addressing and often resolving construction-related disputes before a lawsuit or other formal dispute resolution process is commenced.

Calfee’s core team of construction attorneys is augmented and further supported by experienced attorneys from other Calfee practice groups, including Calfee’s Real Estate Group, Public Finance Group, Environmental Group, and Government Relations Group. Calfee’s ability to deploy skilled attorneys from multiple disciplines enables us to provide a more comprehensive and coordinated scope of services in relation to construction transactions, projects, and/or disputes when necessary and applicable to best represent and protect the interests of our clients.

Clients

We represent clients from the private sector and public sector in matters involving construction law. Our clients include all types of participants to construction-related projects and transactions, including the following:

  • Private Project Owners
  • Public Project Owners
  • General Contractors
  • Construction Managers
  • Design-Builders
  • Subcontractors
  • Architects
  • Engineers
  • Consultants
  • Owner’s Representatives

Noteworthy

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2023 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in Construction Law (Regional Tier 1 Cleveland).

  • Best Law Firms 2023

Professionals

Experience

Experience

Representative Construction Matters

  • Represented owner in selection of design professionals, preparation of contract documents, bidding process, construction administration and project closeout in a theater complex and a historic office building renovation – both multi-million-dollar projects finished on time and under budget.
  • Prepared and negotiated subcontracts on behalf of both subcontractors and contractors.
  • Represented design professional in preparation of services agreement with developer.
  • Prepared and negotiated design-build agreements on behalf of owners and developers.
  • Prepared bid and construction documents for water, sewer and road projects.
  • Prepared bid and construction documents for projects as small as renovation of township hall and as large as 30-story office building.
  • Represented design professionals in contract dispute matters and in matters alleging deviations from generally accepted standards of performance.

Representative Construction Litigation Matters

  • Represented owners, architects, engineers, project managers and general contractors in successful defense of a variety of claims in litigation and arbitrations involving major urban office, highway, sewer and water treatment plant projects.
  • Represented subcontractors in multiple arbitrations, mechanic’s lien actions and a foreclosure suit involving a large downtown Cleveland retail expansion.
  • Represented international engineering and construction firm involved in litigation with joint venture partner, insurer and project owner over design and construction of coke oven.
  • Represented mortgagee-lenders and owners in prosecution and defense of major foreclosure proceedings involving a wide variety of large commercial structures, including office buildings, hotels and manufacturing facilities.
  • Represented multiple lenders in complex foreclosure of hotel property involving related bankruptcy and counterclaims alleging lender liability.
  • Represented court-appointed receivers in management of large suburban office properties in foreclosure.
  • Represented subcontractor in mechanic’s lien foreclosure action and successful resolution of claims involving construction of a skyscraper in downtown Chicago.
  • Represented real estate management companies in litigation against the United States involving General Services Administration (GSA) leases.
  • Represented municipalities in defense of claims for delay and additional work in multi-million-dollar sewer and water improvement projects.
  • Represented school district in defense of claims by non-performing contractor in asbestos abatement project.
  • Negotiated favorable resolution of damage claim arising from alleged defective design and construction of curtain wall on 67-story office tower.
  • Represented a general contractor in disputes related to the construction of a municipal complex and a middle school facility.
  • Represented a power plant owner in a $175 million dispute against a global engineering firm
  • Represented public entities in disputes against general contractors.
  • Defended a government entity against claims related to the deaths of four workers on a construction project.
  • Arbitrated and mediated numerous other disputes, including the conversion of a historic warehouse facility into condominiums and disputes related to new construction of convention centers.

Services

Services

  • Selection of contract documents
  • Contract draftsmanship
  • Contract administration
  • Negotiation of change orders
  • Construction arbitration and litigation
  • Real property ownership insurance and transfer litigation
  • Complex commercial foreclosures and receiverships
  • General Services Administration lease administration and litigation

News & Events

News

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    "Calfee, Halter & Griswold attorneys are responsive to and understanding of client needs; they have a highly professional staff and are very knowledgeable in construction law."

    Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® in the “Best Law Firms” rankings report

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