By Terrence M. McShane, Esq. Among the critical clauses in design professional contracts are the Dispute Resolution Clauses. For over twenty years, we have advised our clients to opt for Litigation rather than Arbitration as a means of ultimate dispute resolution in...
By Mark Jackson, JCJ Insurance What are the design firm’s responsibilities when the construction bids exceed the owner’s budget? What about when construction costs are over budget due to change orders? The answer is… “it depends”. It depends on what your contract...
By David A. Ericksen, Severson & Werson Most people, and most professionals in particular, know what they should do. It is the stuff of aspirational New Year’s Resolutions and Twelve Step Plans. Yet even those readily acknowledged “right principles” often fall to...
by David W. Lakamp, originally published in 1996 by Professional Practice Insurance Brokers, Inc., and updated in August, 2018 by Bruce N. Furukawa, Esq., Furukawa Buccierie LLP For decades, a/e specialist advisors have instructed design professionals to eliminate the...
by Stephen S. van Wert Imagine this scenario – you are retained by an owner to design a new office building. In front of the office building are stairs and a corresponding ADA-compliant ramp to the front door. Shortly after the building is opened to the public, a...
By Mark Jackson, JCJ Insurance Contracts are important tools for your business relationships with both clients and subconsultants. The different provisions in a contract can provide protection for your design firm if a dispute should arise. One such provision that we...