Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar. 

Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.


Tuesday, September 16, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CDT


Agenda:
Presented by John S. Cutler

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (A Construction Lawsuit)

  • Get an overview of the litigation process so if it happens to you, you are prepared
  • How to prepare for your deposition
  • Insurance: what they will (and won’t) do, and what rights you have
  • Timetables and cost
  • Litigation v. arbitration
  • What you should expect from your construction lawyer

Construction Law 101

  • Negligence and implied warranties: how you could get sued for things beyond the scope of your contracts
  • Damages: who gets how much?
  • Liquidated/delay damages provisions: when are they enforceable?
  • Attorneys’ fees – can any party recover them?

Tips: How to Help Yourself Win a Lawsuit

  • How to use contracts to reduce your risk
  • Documentation that helps (and hurts) your case
  • Red flags: when should you call a lawyer

Mechanics Liens

  • Basics of mechanic liens in Iowa
  • What you need to file to protect your lien
  • Enforcement

Workers’ Compensation for the Construction Industry

  • Overview of Iowa’s system
  • How to keep people working and avoid bad claims
  • Tips: how to keep little claims from turning into big ones

 

Webinar Instructions 
 
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited. 

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher. 

Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email. 

GoToWebinar App requirements:  
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS 

Web Browser:  
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions) 
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions) 

Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better 

Hardware:  2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended) 

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com 

Credits

Engineers
6.0 PDHs

AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 LUs

 

Continuing Education Information

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 PDHs for professional engineers in Iowa. Continuing education courses for Iowa engineers are not subject to pre-approval requirements.

The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).

*On-Demand Credits*

The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate. The following pre-approvals may be available for the on-demand format upon request:

6.0 LUs (AIA)

Speakers

John S. Cutler

Attorney with Cutler Law Firm, P.C. in West Des Moines, IA

Mr. Cutler enjoys representing individuals and businesses in all types of lawsuits including construction, business disputes, workers’ compensation, and personal injury. Before joining Cutler Law Firm, he practiced at a large law firm, and he has significant experience handling complex high-dollar litigation. Mr. Cutler prides himself on giving straightforward and understandable advice to his clients, aggressively advocating for them, and getting excellent results for a fair price. He prides himself on the personal relationships he builds with his clients. Mr. Cutler and his wife Gretta live in the Des Moines area with their three young children. When not at the office, he enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, camping with his family, and music. Mr. Cutler is actively involved in the Iowa legal community, including the Iowa Defense Counsel Association, Iowa Workers Compensation Advisory Committee, Polk County Bar Association, Iowa Association of Justice, Iowa Bar Association, and Association of General Contractors.

LinkedIn

AIA Info

AIA Provider Statement: 

HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). 

This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. 

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. 

Course Title:  Iowa Construction Law

Delivery Method: Live Online 

Course Description: This six-hour course explores various aspects of construction law in Iowa, focusing on litigation preparation, mechanics liens, and workers’ compensation for the construction industry. Specifically, the course addresses common legal claims such as negligence and implied warranties, contract strategies to reduce risk, and methods for protecting lien rights and managing injury claims.

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to describe the processes of litigation and arbitration in the construction industry and discuss timetables, insurance, and costs.

Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to identify legal risks under Iowa construction law, including negligence and implied warranties, and adopt risk reduction methods.

Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to utilize contracts and documentation strategies to reduce liability and improve legal outcomes.

Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to describe the basics of Iowa’s mechanics lien system, including filing requirements and enforcement procedures.

LUs: 6.0

LU Type: LUs 

Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None 

Program Level: Intermediate 

Course Expiration Date:  06/30/2028

Complaint Resolution Policy: 

Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.