The Construction Law Group is led by Matthew Chabal, III and provides a full range of legal services on all aspects of construction and government contracts. Our attorneys assist public and private owners, construction managers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, sureties and insurers in solving legal problems common to the development, design, construction and management of construction projects.

Representative matters have included:

Preparing and negotiating contracts with public and private entities
Contract documents that clearly allocate risk are essential to a successful project. We have experience with numerous forms of contracts, from standard industry forms to customized documents.

Prosecuting and defending bid protests
Our attorneys counsel clients concerning bidding requirements, bidders' rights, requests for proposals and other public procurement issues. We will work with you to maximize contract awards, dispute awards improperly made or protect awards from disappointed bidders.

Preparing, negotiating, prosecuting and defending claims
Construction projects often end up in mediation, arbitration or litigation over payment disputes, insurance coverage, defective design or construction, changed or unforeseen conditions, delays, and other claims. Where possible, we try to avoid the expense and disruption of litigation.  When amicable resolution is not possible our attorneys are prepared to litigate in state and federal trial and appellate courts or in arbitration and other specialized tribunals.

Design professional representation
Our attorneys assist architects, engineers and other design professionals.  Their expertise includes with practice formation and management, contractual relationships with owners and consultants, avoiding and defending claims and dealing with professional liability insurance carriers.

Surety and insurance issues
Public construction projects (and many private projects) require surety performance and payment bonds that have various insurance requirements. Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurers, sureties, public owners and bonded contractors.

Prosecuting and defending property damage claims
Property damage, both on-site and off-site, can give rise to complex claims. Our attorneys can handle your property damage cases and communicate with property owners, insurance companies and claims adjusters on your behalf.

Employment issues
We represent clients on such far-ranging issues as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concerns, wage and hour matters, personnel administration, Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act compliance and related matters. We also assist clients with affirmative action requirements (when applicable) at the bidding stage and in connection with audits and investigations.

Mold, air quality and other environmental issues
Construction-related environmental liability, with the resulting risk to contractors, owners, design professionals and sureties and insurance carriers is a critical and evolving area of the law.  Our attorneys can help you navigate through these issues.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
In recent years, non-judicial dispute resolution mechanisms have grown in number and gained in popularity as clients and counsel seek prompt, cost-effective and less adversarial means of resolving disputes. We assist clients in selecting an appropriate ADR mechanism, in drafting ADR contract provisions and in the ADR process itself.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your legal needs and evaluate how we may be of service to you. To request additional information on our Construction Law practice, please click here.

The Construction Law Group includes:

• Matthew Chabal, III
• Thomas J. Car