Construction Law Practice

We work closely with our clients during all phases of the construction process to help them accomplish their goals and objectives. Our lawyers know the construction industry, and know the many diverse legal and business issues that our clients face. Our representation extends from the beginning of projects through their conclusion, from the negotiation of contracts and preparation and review of bids to the resolution of construction disputes. Thompson Coburn attorneys have extensive experience with all types of construction projects, including public infrastructure, commercial, industrial and residential, and are conversant in the major industry contract forms. Several of our attorneys have previous employment experience in the construction field. We have experience in all forms of construction litigation including arbitration, mediation, bench trials, and jury trials and we provide a full range of services with respect to government (federal, state and local) contracts, including bid protests and board of contract appeals claims.

Our clients include developers, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, design professionals, project owners and government entities. Whatever their perspective on project development, our construction industry clients appreciate our team approach to helping make their projects successful. They depend on us because we understand the issues they face, and we have the experience and resources to help them solve their problems. We have a demonstrated history of helping to bring troubled projects to resolution. Knowing the time sensitivity of most project development, we focus first on resolving disputes and solving problems. With experience, a thorough understanding of the law, and an appreciation for each client's needs, we help our clients fashion practical solutions to the challenges they confront daily.

When disputes arise and litigation cannot be avoided, however, we aggressively advocate our clients' interests. Our attorneys have successfully handled numerous construction cases before state and federal courts and state and federal administrative agencies. We regularly employ a variety of alternative dispute resolution approaches, including mediation, structured negotiations and other creative approaches to resolve complex disputes fairly and efficiently.

Our construction attorneys have a thorough knowledge of the law and substantial experience with construction defect claims, extra work claims, delay and disruption claims, and acceleration claims. We have experience addressing design defects, major change order issues, equitable adjustments, differing site conditions, access problems, terminations, mechanic's liens, payment and performance bonds, liquidated damages, and warranties. When our clients need legal advice or practical guidance concerning any aspect of a construction project, we are prepared to help.

Full-Service Firm for the Construction Industry

Thompson Coburn offers much more than its experience in construction and procurement law. We rely on other Thompson Coburn attorneys who are experienced in handling the many diverse challenges that confront the construction industry, including project finance issues, environmental regulations, bankruptcy issues, intellectual property rights, real estate transactions, and governmental agency relations. Thompson Coburn has a large labor and employment law practice that regularly advises our construction clients concerning unions, minority business enterprises, immigration compliance, discrimination claims and ERISA issues.

Practice Highlights

• Led negotiations and prepared the agreements for the construction of a $200 million clean air scrubber project for a power plant.
• Revised form construction contracts and related documents for contractors and public entities.
• Successfully represented building owner in suit by general contractor for $26 million, resulting in recovery of full amount of its counterclaim.
• Successfully defended one of the largest home/residential apartment builders in the nation in a case in which the plaintiffs claimed alleged numerous code violations as evidence of the defendant's failure to design and build in conformance with standards of due care.
• Represented St. Louis Zoo in a successful lawsuit against an architectural firm and others in connection with the design and construction of the Zoo's Living World exhibit.
• Successfully represented prime federal contractor against multiple claims brought by various subcontractors and the owner arising out of the construction of various Air Force base facilities.
• Represented general contractors prosecuting claims for extra work and delay damages and defending claims by subcontractors and mechanics’ liens.
• Successful resolution of multiple mechanics’ liens claims in bankruptcy and other proceedings on behalf of owners, contractors and subcontractors.
• Representation of public owner in connection with the bidding, bid protests, contract award and negotiations for over $750,000,000 in project design and construction contracts for light rail projects in St. Clair County, Illinois and St. Louis County, Missouri.
• Representation of public owner in connection with variety of design and construction-related disputes arising out of light rail projects in St. Clair County, Illinois and St. Louis County, Missouri.
• Represented general contractor in the settlement of claims and counterclaims related to a shopping center project on the West coast, which included regulatory agency exposures and owner counterclaims.