Like rainy days and broken bulldozer blades, disputes are a fact of life in the construction business. Professionals working on big-dollar projects involving dozens of parties will, at some point, need to engage in dispute resolution, whether through the courts or alternative venues. Leaders in the construction industry turn to Cozen O’Connor to resolve their high-stakes disputes for the simple reason that we handle more construction litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters on a national basis than any other firm in the country.
Cozen O’Connor has more than 150 construction law professionals who regularly represent contractors, subcontractors, vendors, construction managers, materials manufacturers and suppliers, site owners, architects, engineers, insurers, and insureds. Our attorneys have experience with construction litigation concerning performance and payment disputes; mechanics liens; OSHA compliance; insurance and regulatory requirements; defective construction; substandard architectural, engineering, or design work; deficiencies in construction components; personal injury or property damage; construction-related accidents; and design errors and omissions, among other topics. In addition, the firm’s insurance litigators are also well known for their representation of underwriters in construction-related fields. They advise on liability, insurance coverage, contractual obligations, and coverage disputes, and serve as subrogation and recovery counsel to insurers seeking repayment for losses from third parties.
Cozen O’Connor’s attorneys have extensive knowledge of both construction law and the construction industry—its language, operations, culture, and technology. Our attorneys have been in the field and on construction sites representing clients’ interests for more than 30 years, so our legal advice is grounded in direct, practical experience. This allows us to anticipate problems, recommend solutions, and structure agreements to protect clients. We can quickly and efficiently analyze the substance of construction-related claims to help clients respond quickly and decisively. And we can communicate effectively with all parties, from ironworkers and masons to engineers and expert witnesses.
Because the discovery and trial process can be costly and time-consuming, construction industry participants are increasingly turning to binding and nonbinding methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). When appropriate and in the best interests of a client, Cozen O’Connor attorneys may participate in or lead ADR processes such as mediations (binding and non-binding) and arbitrations. While most disputes can be settled through various forms of negotiation, there are still cases where litigation, and potentially trial, cannot be avoid. Cozen O’Connor is a nationally known trial firm with the resources and experience to advocate successfully on behalf of clients at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts across the country.
SERVICE AREAS
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Prosecute or defend construction and construction-related disputes involving performance and payment issues; mechanics liens; bid protests; codes and professional standards; and Uniform Commercial Code applications
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Lead litigation concerning defective construction; substandard architectural, engineering, or design work; deficiencies in construction components; personal injury or property damage; construction-related accidents; building subsidence/collapse; and design errors and omissions
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Handle construction-related products litigation, including industry-wide class actions
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Respond to OSHA, environmental and ADA compliance and claims
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Defend against coverage claims involving all forms of insurance policies, including liability and property, course-of-construction, errors and omissions, and additional insured endorsements
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Lead subrogation and recovery cases on behalf of major insurers against third parties