On June 10, I will be co-chairing and my colleague Colm Nelson will be a panelist during the annual mid-year WSBA Construction Law Section CLE. This program is a full-day webinar presented by the WSBA in partnership with Stoel Rives and will cover construction law updates, public works issues, and judicial perspectives on litigation in an … Continue Reading
In my column for the Daily Journal of Commerce from two years ago, I wrote that proceeding with ongoing or planned construction was not without impact or risk tied to COVID-19, and I provided a checklist for owners, designers and contractors to help them decide whether to continue a project or start a new one … Continue Reading
While all of us begin 2021 still confronting the challenge of COVID-19, construction project owners face particular pandemic-related issues in their industry, including the need to maintain strict best practices for projects and manage scheduling and labor challenges for existing and new projects. In my latest article for the Daily Journal of Commerce, I provide … Continue Reading
If you are involved in the construction industry, like it or not risk management is part of your job. From home office executives to workers in the field, each person is expected to manage schedule, cost, and safety risks. While these risks are common, the recent prolonged period of economic growth has created new challenges, … Continue Reading
In our increasingly electronic age, parties signing a construction contract, invoice, change order or other documents are as likely to do so by clicking on an “I agree” checkbox or inserting a digital signature, or e-signature, as they are to put pen to paper. In my first article for the Daily Journal of Commerce, I … Continue Reading
Over the duration of a construction project, changes to its scope are inevitable, and the easiest way to address such changes, and their potential impacts on scheduling and contract price, is for the project owner and the contractor to mutually execute a change order prior to implementing a change. However, for a variety of reasons, … Continue Reading
Ultimately, improving our companies, like improving ourselves, is up to us and our own diligence and persistence in identifying and implementing improvements on an ongoing basis. A strong market as we start 2019 means a great opportunity to review for and ensure solid implementation of legal compliance and financial goals for your construction projects – … Continue Reading
In the push to get a construction project started, important management tasks may be overlooked or subordinated by “higher priority” tasks, and the importance of completing many of those tasks may not become apparent unless there is a legal dispute. In my latest article for the Daily Journal of Commerce, I provide a brief checklist … Continue Reading
Stoel Rives is proud to have co-created and been the leading sponsor in the first annual “Oregon Women In Construction Conference” hosted by the University of Oregon last Thursday, April 27. The event was emceed by City of Portland construction attorney Molly Washington (who led all aspects of the event including topics, speakers, locale, etc.) … Continue Reading
It is well known that under California law a real estate broker may act as a “dual agent” for both the seller and the buyer in a property transaction, provided both parties consent to the arrangement after full disclosure. In such representation, a dual agent owes fiduciary duties to both buyer and seller. Pursuant to … Continue Reading
Last week, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a property owner was entitled to a jury trial in a dispute with a lender despite the fact that the loan agreement contained a jury waiver provision and a New York choice-of-law provision. The case involved the San Francisco apartment complex known as the Rincon Towers. … Continue Reading
In addition to streamers and fireworks, the new year is occasioned by another tradition: new laws. Several new laws affecting Oregon contractors and developers took effect on January 1, 2016. Paid sick leave: Most Oregon construction employers must now provide employees with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees must … Continue Reading
Dear Ahead of Schedule blog readers. We have enjoyed keeping you informed with construction law and project development news and tips since early 2009. While our commitment to keep you informed hasn’t changed, technology certainly has. Back when we first started posting, it was still a desktop- and RSS-dominated world. Today, more and more of … Continue Reading