Mr. Blackwell represents a variety of clients, ranging from general contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, insurers, and sureties in construction and labor issues, to companies involved in sales, acquisitions, corporate governance matters, commercial disputes, and other challenges arising in the commercial arena. He has engaged in significant contract negotiation; corporate formation, structuring, and governance matters; sales and acquisitions of assets and ownership interests; contract negotiation and drafting; construction disputes involving delays, terminations for default, payment, asset seizure, fraud, labor and employment issues; and a variety of other disputes that arise during construction. Mr. Blackwell regularly lectures on matters affecting construction clients, on ethics and liability for engineers, and on changes in Louisiana construction law for construction managers. 

Mr. Manion is Co-founder of Manion Stigger, LLP, a law practice devoted to representing and advising construction professionals. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Manion. was educated as an engineer and worked in project management for an ENR 100 contractor. Before Manion Stigger, he was part of the national construction practice of an AMLAW 200 firm and a law clerk in the United States District Court. His three decades’ experience in construction includes prosecuting and defending large payment claims in a variety of construction contexts, drafting and negotiating hundreds of construction-related transactions, and working closely with clients to manage operational risk. Mr. Manion brings to each task the combined lessons of an engineering education, MBA education, project management background, experiences as an advocate. Manion Stigger represents general contractors, construction managers, design-builders, and specialty contractors throughout the United States. 

Principal in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young

Ms. O’Rourke is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group and manages the firm’s San Antonio office. Her practice focuses on the representation of owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in construction disputes as well as insurance companies and businesses in complex disputes. Ms. O’Rourke has a wealth of experience in delay and interference claims, defective construction and general construction disputes, and she is consistently asked to present at workshops and seminars regarding her expertise on contracts, sureties and bonds. Ms. O’Rourke’s expertise in construction litigation has earned her recognition from numerous publications and organizations. She is board certified in construction law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and serves as the secretary for the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section, and she is on the Board of Directors for ABC and CFMA.

Associate at Phelps Dunbar, LLP

Mr. Richeson practices in the area of commercial litigation with an emphasis on construction, intellectual property and insurance defense litigation.  His cases have included commercial, industrial and residential construction disputes, a civil RICO claim involving a multi-million dollar insurance kick-back scheme, copyright and design patent litigation over Mardi Gras beads, utility patent litigation involving the heel design of running shoes, tax treatment of illegal slot machines, legal malpractice defense and insurance coverage disputes.  Mr. Richeson received his B.A. degree in Political Science, with honors, from Michigan State University and his law degree from Tulane University Law School.  He is licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Tennessee.

Partner at Libby Sparks Willis Starnes PLLC in Dallas

Mr. Starnes represents clients in a broad range of litigation matters, and has significant experience in construction law, commercial litigation, and intellectual property disputes. He enjoys providing effective counsel to clients and takes pride in being quick to respond to client inquiries. His litigation and courtroom experience have helped him develop a unique skill set in counseling clients in construction contracts, trademark filings, entity formations, employment agreements, and other transactional matters. His primary objective in any matter is to efficiently solve his client’s problems. Mr. Starnes was named a Top Attorney under 40, by D Magazine 2018 and 2019; and a Rising Star in Texas Super Lawyers (2015 – 2018). He has written and lectured extensively on copyright law in the context of design professionals such as architects and engineers, as well as risk management and ethics issues in the construction industry.