THE FIRM This local firm brings its great knowledge and experience to bear on a range of construction projects, advising clients on contract negotiation, dispute resolution and dispute avoidance. While recognized for broad construction law expertise, the group is especially celebrated for its skill in litigation and architectural matters. The team attracts a diverse breadth of high-profile clients, from developers such as MCL Companies to engineers, architects and designers like VOA Associates.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Friedlander leads the practice and has a great reputation for his work on construction projects and project delivery methods, particularly in the area of design-build projects. "He's a wonderful, wonderful lawyer - simply brilliant," say clients. Kenneth Roberts is highly regarded for his handling of major energy, industrial and commercial construction projects. He has a wealth of experience advising on contract negotiations and major procurements. Paul Lurie has unrivaled experience as a construction arbitrator and mediator and a stellar reputation as one of the finest attorneys at the Illinois Construction Bar.
THE FIRM This premier boutique firm is highly regarded for its specialist design and construction law expertise. It boasts one of the largest construction practices nationwide, with vast experience on significant construction projects and a complex construction litigation division. The dispute resolution side of the practice has had a busy year, acting in matters arising from power, infrastructure, highway, rail and processing plant projects. The group's sophisticated client list includes Canyon Capital Advisors, the University of Chicago and AECOM Technology.
Sources say: "Stein Ray provides practical solutions and excellent value for money, making it a go-to firm for large construction disputes regardless of geographic location."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Stein is highly experienced in the drafting and design of construction contracts but specializes in disputes. "He's beyond outstanding," say clients, "doing his homework and coming back with real business recommendations, quick and to the point." Stephen Ray has a similar profile to Stein, providing consultancy advice and handling complex construction and design disputes. "Ray's an excellent lawyer, very impressive," say sources. Peter Bedard focuses on construction disputes, including those relating to delay, breach of contract, defects and fraud. Clients enthuse that "he has outstanding trial experience and is extremely effective in dispute resolution settings."
THE FIRM This Chicago boutique boasts an experienced and knowledgeable team, expert in contract negotiation, project management and steering clients through mediation, arbitration or litigation. It maintains an excellent industry reputation, particularly for its claims representation of contractors and subcontractors.
KEY INDIVIDUALS John Mrowiec and Timothy Conway are the firm's founding partners, commended as erudite construction lawyers by peers. Mrowiec is described as "an exceptional, very acute lawyer," while Conway is praised for his "careful and serious" approach.
THE FIRM Opened in January 2010, this young construction boutique has quickly positioned itself as a go-to firm in the Illinois market. From an initial base of nine specialized construction attorneys, the firm is steadily growing, providing a breadth of legal services across all aspects of construction projects, at a local and international level. Early highlights have seen the team advise the Children's Memorial Hospital on a high-value development, design and construction project, and represent CIGNA in a complex multiparty construction litigation.
Sources say: "A sophisticated firm providing excellent service, counsel and work product at an exceptionally reasonable rate."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Ty Laurie and Daniel Brennan left DLA Piper to found Laurie & Brennan. The pair draw praise from an array of loyal clients thanks to their tremendous credentials and "pragmatic and solution-oriented approach." Laurie was head of DLA Piper’s national construction group and, as a qualified arbitrator and mediator, he's especially active in construction disputes. Brennan is also a certified mediator. He's described as "a quality lawyer who is easy to work with and knows everything there is to know in this area."
THE FIRM This compact Oak Brook-based construction boutique has an established reputation for excellence in construction contract drafting and negotiating, project and contract dispute resolution and mechanics' lien litigation. The firm's diverse client list includes subcontractors, general contractors, owners, developers and engineering firms.
Sources say: "Quality lawyers who have great experience of handling construction matters and are immensely approachable."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients are full of praise for Jennifer Nielsen, particularly for her work on construction mechanics' liens. "She really knows her stuff, is a very effective negotiator and produces exceptional work," say clients. Bill Lyman is renowned for the depth of his experience and construction law knowledge.
THE FIRM This local firm advises across all areas of construction law and has a strong reputation for construction litigation and dispute avoidance. Recent work highlights have seen the group providing full coverage advice to Antheus Capital in regards to a lakefront development and construction project, and successfully representing Kenny Construction in a breach of contract dispute.
Sources say: "You get a highly impressive team for a fraction of the price paid elsewhere."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients hail Richard Pearse for being "an experienced and knowledgeable construction lawyer, excellent at providing superb practical advice, support and timely work." His practice focuses on infrastructure project development and finance. Karen Layng chairs the construction law group and leads its litigation department. "She has great litigation skills and legal knowledge and the way she presents herself in court inspires confidence," say clients. She recently successfully acted for Scheck Industrial in a mechanics' lien foreclosure and breach of contract claim.
Clifford Shapiro of Barnes & Thornburg LLP has an enviable reputation in the construction litigation arena and is particularly sought after for advice in connection with insurance coverage-related claims.
"He's ingenious and diplomatic and rises to the challenge," say clients,
"finding practical solutions to complex matters." Alexandra Cole of Perkins Coie LLP is celebrated for her experience in lien claims and construction defect litigation, recently acting in a lien prosecution for architectural firm Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates. "
She has great knowledge of the law but also understands business and her advice is honest and sound," say sources. Construction law veteran
Lorence Slutzky of Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd is described as
"a wonderful lawyer, expert in guiding clients through complex construction negotiations." Margery Newman of Deutsch, Levy & Engel, Chartered is considered a
"perennial all-star" by the market. She has established a strong construction litigation practice and is highly valued for her expertise in construction defects litigation.
Eric Singer of Ice Miller LLP has
"a deep understanding of construction law" and is respected for his
"unique ability to solve problems and bring parties to a resolution." His recent matters include acting on behalf of a general contractor in the litigation of a mechanics' lien claim, and representing a construction lender in negotiation and mediation proceedings relating to construction loan defaults.
Joseph Bisceglia of Jenner & Block LLP offers clients many years of experience and is described as
"a valuable adviser who has incredible knowledge of the law and is sensitive to client needs." He counseled the City of Chicago in construction and design defect disputes relating to the renovation of O’Hare International Airport, and successfully represented Acme Steel in a $30 million dispute over the construction of a steel-manufacturing facility.
Jeffrey Winick left Stein Ray in early 2011 to cofound Harris Winick LLP. The firm specializes in commercial litigation and Winick handles the construction side of the practice. Clients praise his responsiveness and deep industry knowledge.
James Dash leaves Much Shelist Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein to set up a new practice under the name of Carlson Dash LLC. He focuses mainly on real estate disputes, but especially in the construction field and most recently in the area of mechanics' lien litigation. Construction specialist
Ross Altman recently joined Dykema Gossett PLLC from DLA Piper. He is an experienced and respected attorney with a fantastic reputation for handling large international transactions.