March 2012

In an article recently published in the Daily Journal of Commerce entitled “General Contractors: How’s Your Subcontract?,” I address five questions that general contractors should ask about their subcontracts. By definition, general contractors are caught in the middle between their owner-clients and their subcontractors—owners hold them responsible for their subcontractors’ work, so they must ensure…

In a recent national webinar by the Strafford Publication Group, I spoke about the key challenges facing plaintiffs in construction defect cases, including initial case evaluation, discovery issues, expert issues and allocating damages among multiple defendants. My co-presenters from two firms in Dallas, Texas followed my presentation with the key challenges facing defendants. The slides…

Parties to construction contracts take notice:  the legislature enacted new consequences and contract restrictions to Oregon’s Prompt Pay Acts starting in 2012.               

On public improvement contracts first advertised or solicited on or after May 28, 2012, the newly revised Act (a) changes the interest penalty rate for a prime contractor’s failure to make timely payment…

As any Oregon real estate developer likely knows, the Construction Contractor’s Board will require you to be registered as a contractor if you are developing land owned by another for a fee or developing land you own with the intent to sell. But many developers have followed what might be an overly conservative path: the…

Drivers from Ballard to West Seattle are familiar with the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel project. As they drive to and from downtown, they notice that the southern end of the Viaduct has been removed to make way for work on the south portal. But the Viaduct replacement project is not the only big tunnel…