Construction

Industry Contacts

Construction

Attorneys in Taft’s construction industry group advise industry participants, including owners, contractors, design-builders, developers, architects, subcontractors, engineers and material suppliers, on all aspects of public and private construction projects, such as:

Contract drafting and negotiation.
Project feasibility and financing.
Project delivery method selection.
Bidding and bid protests.
Compliance for public and government-assisted projects.
Insurance, bonds and indemnity.
Litigation and dispute resolution.

While our priority is to implement approaches that minimize disputes and to negotiate workable settlements when disputes arise, our construction litigation attorneys have achieved successful results before courts, arbitrators and contract appeals boards with respect to all types of claims, including payment, performance and insurance coverage disputes.

We help our clients determine the most effective contracting approach to achieve project objectives, such as integrated project delivery, CM at risk and other non-traditional contracting structures, wrap-up insurance programs, building information management (3D project models), “lean construction” or enhanced participation of disadvantaged business entities.

Our construction attorneys also coordinate closely with other Taft attorneys who have extensive experience in other aspects of construction project development, including project feasibility, tax considerations, brownfields and other environmental issues, zoning, joint ventures, financing options and negotiations, governmental incentives and leasing.

Depth of Experience

Our experience in construction is broad and deep. We have represented some of our construction-related clients for decades. As a result, we know the industry’s economics and key players well, and we often help our clients make valuable business connections. Among many others, we represent major regional general contractors and owners who we have assisted with every phase of $100 million plus projects to build or expand hospitals, casinos, office facilities and sewage systems. We have also worked on projects to build or expand stadiums, military facilities, water plants and schools. Private projects include development and construction of numerous commercial, residential, hotel, restaurant, industrial, mixed-use and entertainment properties, both locally and nationally.

Taft brings lean construction practices to clients that are designed to maximize value and minimize waste throughout the construction process. We incorporate integrated project delivery (“IPD”), a process uniquely suited to put lean construction principals into practice. IPD aligns interests, objectives and practices through a team-based approach where all disciplines in a construction project work as one entity, creating faster delivery times and lower costs.

Our construction attorneys represent companies ranging from small to large, from the supplier to the end user. We understand the economic challenges our clients face, and we are committed to keeping legal costs reasonable in light of the economics of the matters we are addressing. Our goal is to partner with our clients for successful, profitable construction projects.

Related Industries

Awards

Ranked National Tier 1 in Construction Law by Best Lawyers^® 2025 “Best Law Firms”
Ranked as a “Leading Law Firm” by Chambers USA for Construction Law in Minnesota and Ohio (2023 – 2024)

Case Studies

GM's Vision Takes Shape With Its Ultium Cells LLC Manufacturing Facility

Notable Matters

Represented developer in development of $91 million mixed use project in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
Represented owner in construction planning for $30 million condominium project in the City of Royal Oak, Michigan.
Represented owner in construction planning for $23 million public recreation project in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
Represented developer in negotiating development management agreement for combined sports headquarters and athletic medicine facility in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
Represented owner in negotiating a $7 million design-build agreement for a 130,000 square foot research center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Represented owner in negotiating a design-build agreement for a 1,000,000 square foot distribution center in DuPont, Washington.
Represented owner in negotiation construction contract for $36 million industrial facility in Evergreen Park, Illinois.