Agenda

Registration:                        8:00 – 8:30 am

Morning Session:                8:30 am – 12:15 pm

Lunch (On your own):         12:15 – 1:15 pm

Afternoon Session:             1:15 – 5:00 pm

Understanding Construction Contract Essentials
W. M. Bryant

   Examining contract terminology: parties, consideration, term, performance,
      substantial performance, breach, remedies, damages
   Studying roles and relationships of project participants:
      owners,architects/engineers, construction managers, contractors, subs and suppliers
   Understanding the project delivery system: traditional design-bid-build, design-build,
      construction manager at risk, multiple prime contractor, owner control
   Understanding types of construction contracts: lump sum, cost plus,time and materials, unit pricing
   Exploring the law of construction contract interpretation

Examining Legal Issues and Contract Disputes
J. Rohlfing

   Changed conditions
   Project documentation
   Delays, acceleration
   Handling payment claims and final payments
   Resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration, litigation
   Understanding contractual and statutory warranties

Reviewing Project Documents
S. Wasser

   Use of standard forms or custom documents
   Agreement
   Performance bond
   Payment bond
   Contract conditions (general and supplementary)
   Specifications (Format, CSI 1995 and 2004)
   Shop drawings
   Contract modifications (change orders, directives, etc.)

Comparing Standardized Construction Documents
J. Weisberg

   American Institute of Architects
   ConsensusDocs
   Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC)

Reviewing Bidding Documents
H. Feldman

   Invitation
   Bid form
   Instructions
   Bid bond
   Information
   Addenda

Understanding Issues in Contract Administration
R. Krauze

   Insurance and indemnity issues
   Chain of command issues
   Subcontracts
   Changes and change orders
   Payments
   Substantial and final completion
   Breach and pitfalls

Credits

Professional Engineers
   7.0 PDHs

Architects
   7.0 HSW Contact Hours
   7.0 AIA HSW Learning Units

Contractors
   Non-Credit Continuing Ed.

Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and offers 7.0 PDHs to professional engineers and 7.0 HSW contact/CE hours to architects in most states, including Illinois.  Educators and courses are not subject to preapproval in Illinois.

The American Institute of Architects has approved this event for 7.0 HSW Learning Units (Sponsor No. J885).  Only full attendance can be reported to the AIA/CES.

HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved architect continuing education sponsor in New York.  HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey (ApprovalNo. 24GP00000700), New York (NYSED Sponsor No. 35), North Carolina, and North Dakota.

This seminar also offers a non-credit continuing education opportunity to construction contractors.  It has not been submitted to any state contractor licensing board for continuing education approval.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event.  Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.

Speakers

W. Matthew Bryant

Counsel with Saul, Ewing, Arnstein & Lehr, LLP

Mr. Bryant focuses his practice on construction law. He writes and negotiates construction contracts for private and public projects, representing participants including owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and subcontractors. Mr. Bryant resolves construction project performance and payment disputes, including surety bond claims and mechanics lien claims. He also represents owners and contractors in litigation matters including defense and prosecution of breach of contract, warranty, and construction defect claims. Mr. Bryant has defended design professionals against claims of professional negligence. He has written and spoken on many construction-related topics, including contract negotiation, public construction, and licensure of construction professionals. Among other organizations, he is a member of the Steering Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law Division 7 for Insurance, Surety, and Liens.

Howard Feldman

Feldman Wasser

Partner with Feldman Wasser in SpringfieldMr. Feldman puts people first.  He fought for seven years in the infamous legal trial against the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which fired 16 employees for their political affiliation.  When numerous Illinois prison inmates and their families came to him alleging mistreatment by the corrections system, he was happy to take on the government repeatedly to protect their civil rights.  Mr. Feldman has an impressive track record with the Illinois construction industry, where he is well-known for his ability to cut to the heart of matters and achieve business-friendly resolutions quickly. He is aided by in-depth regulatory knowledge acquired during his time as general counsel and special assistant attorney general for the Illinois Capital Development Board, which oversees all state construction projects.  Peers respect Mr. Feldman for his compassion and empathy for clients.  It is this principled commitment that has made him one of the most highly-regarded attorneys in central Illinois.

Raymond Krauze

K&L Gates

Partner with K&L Gates in ChicagoMr. Krauze focuses his practice in construction law and complex commercial litigation and disputes.  He has represented major contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, material suppliers, and condominium associations in all aspects of complex construction litigation, including breach of contract, construction defects and omissions, fraud, express and implied warranties, and mechanics lien claims.  He has experience regarding issues arising from the design and construction of commercial and multi-unit residential condominium properties.  In addition, Mr. Krauze counsels clients on all manner of construction-related contract drafting and negotiation.  In the complex commercial litigation area, he has handled matters involving claims of breach of contract, fraud, and business torts, as well as claims involving violations of federal and state statutes.  Mr. Krauze has extensive experience before federal and state courts as well as other alternative dispute resolution forums.

James Rohlfing

Saul, Ewing, Arnstein & Lehr, LLP

Partner with Saul, Ewing, Arnstein & Lehr, LLP in ChicagoMr. Rohlfing’s practice is focused in the areas of construction lawand business litigation.  Since being admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982, he has represented subcontractors, contractors and others in the construction industry.  He has led dozens of trials and appeals involving business litigation and construction law.  Mr. Rohlfing has drafted and assisted in passing Illinois legislation critical to contractors and the construction industry in general. In addition, he has authored numerous articles on construction law and litigation, and he is frequently invited to speak on commercial litigation and construction law topics before construction industry groups and practicing attorneys.  He is general counsel and past president of the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA), the largest organization for subcontractors in Illinois.  Mr. Rohlfing is an active member of IMSCA, the Chicago Bar Association’s Construction Law committee, and the Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates in Chicago.

Stanley Wasser

Feldman Wasser

Partner with Feldman Wasser in SpringfieldMr. Wasser has more than 25 years’ experience as an attorney in construction matters.  He knows the terminology, concepts, issues, contracts, and documentation of the industry.  With a uniquecombination of government experience as chief counsel to the Illinois Department of Transportation, general counsel to the Illinois Bureau of the Budget, an assistant attorney general, and an Illinois Comptroller’s counsel, Mr. Wasser has deep insight into the regulations, requirements and practices governing public construction.  He is also well-versed in labor and contractor-subcontractor disputes, for which he receives many referrals.  Putting himself in the client’s shoes means understanding the critical cost-benefit questions that any business must address when faced with a legal challenge.

Justin Weisberg

Schuyler, Roche & Crisham

Justin L. Weisberg is a partner at Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, P.C. Mr. Weisberg’s practice focuses on construction law. He represents private, public, local, and international clients in a variety of construction-related transactions and litigation matters. Mr. Weisberg has a background in professional engineering, giving him added insight and understanding into his client’s cases. His experience has included contract negotiation, counseling, litigation and dispute resolution relating to numerous projects for office, commercial, and residential buildings, and for nuclear and coal-fired power plants, manufacturing facilities, laboratories, water distribution systems, waste water treatment facilities, schools, libraries, stadiums, exposition centers, governmental facilities, roads, bridges, transit stations, refineries, and single family residences.