Are you a construction industry professional looking to stay current on the legal landscape affecting your projects and operations? Join me and my Stoel colleagues Zachary Davis, John Dudrey, and Mario Nicholas who will be presenting at the 30th Annual Oregon Construction Law Seminar, hosted by The Seminar Group, on Thursday
Bricks and bots: AI technologies’ growing impact on construction
- Hallucinations –
Construction Liens in Washington: Essential Knowledge for Construction Professionals
Why Understanding Liens is Important
Construction liens are a critical aspect of the construction industry, providing security for those who contribute labor, materials, or services to a project. Understanding construction liens is essential for disparate parties involved in private construction since liens, as security interests, can significantly impact payment rights and property title. Ignoring lien
Oregon Senate Bill 426 Would Make Owners and Prime Contractors Liable for Unpaid Wages Owed by Those They Hire
Developers, owners, and contractors would all be wise to take note of Senate Bill 426, currently under consideration in the Oregon legislature.
SB 426 addresses wage theft in the construction industry. If enacted, it would impose joint and several liability on the owner and prime contractor for unpaid employee wages – including fringe benefits
A primer for decoding legal jargon in construction contracts
- Pro
Subcontracts: tips for general contractors and subcontractors
Key Considerations in Subcontract Negotiations
Negotiating subcontracts presents challenges for both general contractors and subcontractors. General contractors must balance responsibilities to owners and subcontractors while managing risk. Subcontractors, often with limited negotiation power, should focus on key risk-shifting provisions.
Prime Contract Role
Subcontracts often include “flow down” clauses, requiring subcontractors to assume general contractor obligations.
Addressing Tariffs in Construction Contracts: Key Considerations
As the multifamily market rebounds (hopefully) in 2025, potential new tariffs on materials like steel, lumber, and appliances are raising concerns for developers and contractors alike. Many clients question how to address price escalation risks arising from tariffs in their standard fixed price (FP) and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts, including under changes-in-law clauses, allowances
The collective cost paid for arbitration’s numerous benefits
Arbitration agreements have become commonplace in construction contracts. As a result, a significant portion of construction disputes are resolved privately through arbitration rather than in public courts.
Arbitration has many benefits ranging from cost savings and faster resolutions to a private forum that keeps disputes from spilling out into the public arena to adjudication by
2024 Update to The Construction Lien in Washington: A Legal Analysis for the Construction Industry
Stoel Rives is excited to announce the 2024 update of The Construction Lien in Washington: A Legal Analysis for the Construction Industry, first published in 2015. This comprehensive guide covers recent case law, statutory changes, and critical lien procedures. It serves as an essential resource for contractors, developers, attorneys, and other industry professionals navigating
Mitigate Risk with a Construction Project Insurance Checkup
As 2024 approaches, developers, builders, and designers are urged to reassess their insurance strategies, as coverage mistakes can lead to severe denials during claims. Key pitfalls include relying on standard insurance forms, informal broker assurances, and neglecting to scrutinize policy endorsements. Best practices for effective risk management involve securing proof of insurance via actual policy