Eric B. Kjellander

Eric is a partner in the Construction Law Group at Taft. Eric represents various entities involved in commercial and public construction projects, including owners, contractors, developers, specialty trades, manufacturers, subcontractors, suppliers, surety companies, design professionals, and lenders through all aspects of construction law, including contract drafting, project management, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation. Project stakeholders have sought Eric’s experience across a broad range of industries including infrastructure, manufacturing, water, wastewater, energy, industrial, healthcare, education, multi-family, hospitality, entertainment, and senior living. Eric handles breach of contract claims; extra work claims; design and defect claims; schedule disputes; bond and lien claims; payment disputes; prompt pay disputes; prevailing wage issues; differing site conditions; bid protests; delay and acceleration claims; and other construction related claims.

Eric’s experience also includes representing sureties in multi-project defaults, including the investigation and defense of performance and payment bond claims on private and public projects, negotiation of takeover, tender and completion agreements, and performance of completion work. Eric is a frequent writer and speaker on construction related topics and is active in construction-related organizations. He is a member of the Builders Exchange (BX) of Central Ohio, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Ohio, the Columbus Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee, and the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law. Eric is a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America.

Speaking Engagements:

• Ohio Construction Conference, presented by the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio –  “Artificial Intelligence in Construction: Change is Good. So is Being Cautious”  (March 2024)
• Half-Moon Education – “Ethical Issues in Engineering: The Ethical Code and the Application of the Code through Case Studies” (Nov. 30, 2023)
• City of Cincinnati Engineering Department – “Ethical Issues in Engineering: The Ethical Code and the Application of the Code through Case Studies” (Nov. 1, 2023)
• Structural Engineers Association of Ohio Annual Meeting – “Engineering Ethics: Case Studies and a Primer on the Ethical Code” (Sept. 7, 2023)
• Builders Exchange of Central Ohio Law and Finance Committee – Moderator for Panel on Price Escalation (June 2, 2023)
• Ohio Concrete Webinar – “Engineering Ethics: Case Studies and a Primer on the Ethical Code” (March 29, 2023)
• Ohio Concrete’s Concrete Contractor Seminar – “What Does the Contract Say? A Review of How to Spot and Negotiate Relevant Contract Terms” (March 7, 2023)
• Ohio Concrete Fall Seminar – “Engineering Ethics: Case Studies and a Primer on the Ethical Code” (Nov. 10, 2022)
• Central Ohio Chapter of the American Concrete Institute – “Common Ethical Issues in Engineering” (Sept. 8, 2022)
• ABC Central Ohio – “Construction Law Episode One, Ohio Mechanic’s Liens on Private Projects” (April 2022)
• ABC Central Ohio – “Construction Law Episode Two, Ohio Liens or Claims on Funds on Public Projects” (April 2022)
• Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, Law and Finance Committee – “What Does the Contract Say? A Review of Common Contract Terms and a Look Ahead to What is Changing” (Dec. 8, 2021)
• Half-Moon Education – “Examining Legal Issues and Contract Disputes” (Nov. 4, 2021)
• In-House Client Presentation – “Properly Documenting a Construction Project and Controlling Internal Documentation” (May 14, 2021)
• In-House Client Presentation – “Tips and Traps in Contracting for Subcontractors” (April 23, 2021)
• Builders Exchange Central Ohio, co-presenter – “Managing Your Company in a Pandemic Crisis” (May 7, 2020)
• ABC of Central Ohio – “Who Needs to Wear a Mask?” (May 2020)
• Webinar – “Force Majeure and Supply Chain Issues in the Era of COVID-19 and Tariffs” (April 2, 2020)
• Construction Law Institute,  Lexington, KY – “What to do in the Event of a Bond Default?” (Oct. 25, 2018)
• Liberty Mutual Surety Claims Conference, Chicago – “Waiver and Release in Fidelity Claims” (Oct. 20, 2015)
• In-House Presentation, Hunt Valley, MD – “Ethics in Discovery: Issues that Arise for Sureties and the Best Practices in Responding to Discovery” (July 10, 2014)
• Watt Tieder Lunch and Learn, Chicago – “What to do When the Judgment Debtor Fails to Pay-Options Available Post Judgment” (Aug. 29, 2013)
• In-House Presentation, Cincinnati, OH – “Overview of Small Business Administration Programs from a Surety Perspective and Tips on Dealing with Accounts that Associate with SBA Contractors” (Oct. 1, 2012)

Publications:

• ABC of Central Ohio – “Who Needs to Wear a Mask?” (May 2020)
• Women in Construction Spring 2020 Newsletter, co-authors Richard Kalson and Alex Pilotti, P.E. – “Do You Know What Your CGL Policy Covers? A Recent Court Decision Might Make You Reexamine the Coverage Provided Under Your CGL Policy” (April 2, 2020)
• Client Bulletin, co-author Peter Hahn – “Construction Activities Exempt from Ohio’s ‘Stay at Home’ Order-But Use Common Sense” (March 23, 2020)
• Illinois Construction Law Handbook, HLK co-author
• Watt Tieder Spring Newsletter – “Performance Bonds North of the Border” (March 1, 2015)
• Watt Tieder Summer 2014 Newsletter – “Don’t Jump to Conclusions: Termination for Default Federal Project Options and Issues” (June 1, 2014)
• American Bar Association, The Fidelity and Surety Law Committee 2013 Mid-Winter Program – “The Underwriters Quick Reference Guide Handbook to Surety Risk Chapters Illinois, North Dakota, Wisconsin” (Jan. 1, 2013)
• “Construction Law Update: Case Law & Legislation Affecting the Construction Industry, North Dakota” (Jan. 1, 2012)