Managing Ohio Public Construction Projects
Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 10-15 minutes before start time.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
9:00 am – 3:50 pm EDT
Agenda:
Key Provisions in Construction and Design Contracts
Presented by James T. Dixon
- Contracts with design professionals
- Construction managers at risk
- General contractors, and design builders
Construction Contracts for Ohio Public Construction Projects
Presented by Avery Young
- Construction
- Projects
- Payment
- Scheduling
- Changes and modifications
- Damages
- Claims and disputes
- Indemnification
- Insurance and surety
- Risk allocation
- Permits
- Relationships with other parties
- Termination
- Force majeure
- Contractor claims and damages
- Types of claims
- Delay, suspension, and interference
- Acceleration and disruption
- Extra or additional work
- Misrepresentation
- Calculating damages
- Documenting the claim
- Recovery preclusion
- Dispute resolution
- Mediation
- Arbitration
Resolving Disputes and Handling Ethical Issues in Government Construction Law
Presented by Eric O. Pempus
- Mediation
- Arbitration
- Litigation in court
- Ethical issues in government construction law
- Conflicts of interest
- Gifts and favors
Bidding on Public Projects
Presented by Tom Pannett
- Understanding competitive bidding requirements
- Reviewing bid package
- Prequalification of bidders, bid bonding
- Submitting bids
Construction Management Issues in Public Projects
Presented by Phil Truax
- Handling bond requirements and claims
- Contractor disputes and damages
- Changes, delays and payment claims
- Subcontracting on public projects
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.
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Credits
Engineers
6.0 CPD Credits
Architects
6.0 Hour Non-HSW Learning Opportunity
AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 Elective LUs
ICC - International Code Council
0.6 CEUs (Administration)
Attorneys
6.0 CLE Hours
Continuing Education Information
This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 CPD credits for professional engineers in Ohio and a 6.0-hour learning opportunity for licensed architects in Ohio. This course is not certified in HSW. The Ohio Board of Engineers and Surveyors does not pre-approve course providers or courses.
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 Elective LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.
The International Code Council has approved this event for .6 CEUs in the specialty area of Administration (Preferred Provider No. 1232).
This webinar has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 5.0 general CLE hours and 1.0 attorney professional conduct hour.
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 Elective LUs (AIA)
Speakers
James T. Dixon
Attorney with Roetzel & Andress LPA, in Cleveland, OHMr. Dixon is a highly regarded attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in construction litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and real estate law. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2012 – 2026, reflecting his expertise and reputation in the legal field. Mr. Dixon graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1997 and has been practicing law since then. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Construction Law Forum and the Founding Chair of the Cleveland Metro Bar Association’s Construction Law Subcommittee, showcasing his commitment to professional development and community service. Mr. Dixon’s practice focuses on helping clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and navigate complex legal challenges in the construction and real estate sectors.
Tom Pannett, P.E.*, Esq., MBA, CPPOret
Attorney with Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter, in Columbus, OHMr. Pannett is a seasoned attorney with more than 25 years of practice in Ohio’s transportation industry. Joining Kegler Brown after more than 31 years of public service in state and local government as a lawyer and manager, he is also a registered Professional Engineer in Ohio, holds an MBA, and is a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (in retirement status). Mr. Pannett focuses his practice primarily in the areas of construction, real estate, litigation, and issues involving state and local governments. With an extensive practical background and education in engineering, and previous work experience with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), he leverages his unique perspective to provide useful insights for the benefit of his clients. At ODOT, Mr. Pannett worked in a multitude of capacities, including as a transportation engineer, as the Administrator for the Office of Contract Sales and Estimating, and as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel. He also spent four years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Transportation section of the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Mr. Pannett is a frequent presenter on engineering ethics and regularly defends professional engineers before the Ohio Board of Professional Engineer and Surveyors.
Eric O. Pempus, FAIA, Esq., NCARB
Risk Manager with Design Pro Insurance Group, in Cuyahoga Falls, OHMr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he has 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 37 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent.
Phil Truax
Attorney with Truax Law Group, in Avon, OHMr. Truax’s practice includes counseling and representing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, owners, and developers in the negotiation and review of contract forms and front-end project documents, as well as bidding and bid protest matters. His previous experience working in the field for general contractors and specialty trades provides him with a depth of practical construction knowledge in advising and counseling clients in the management, prosecution, and defense of claims during construction projects. These claims range from extra work scope claims and insurance coverage issues to claims for differing site conditions, extended general conditions, lost productivity, acceleration and delay. Mr. Truax also routinely files and defends against mechanic’s lien, public lien, and payment bond claims in Ohio and other states. He’s spent the bulk of his career pursuing and defending construction cases in litigation and arbitration.
Avery Young
Construction and Commercial Transactions Counsel for the Central Ohio Transit Authority, in Columbus, OHMr. Young is an accomplished attorney with a diverse range of legal expertise. He has worked in construction law, civil litigation, contract law, and criminal law. Currently, Mr. Young serves as Construction and Commercial Transactions Counsel for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), where he advises on all legal matters related to construction and commercial transactions. His role involves developing, negotiating, and finalizing complex agreements, ensuring the interests of COTA are protected. Additionally, he provides expert counsel on federal, state, and local laws and regulations, guiding staff through contract modifications and offering strategic advice on risk mitigation and liability concerns. Mr. Young’s career includes serving as Legal Counsel for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, where he provided legal guidance on multimillion-dollar public infrastructure projects. He also worked as an Assistant Attorney General, representing the Ohio Department of Transportation and managing eminent domain litigation. Mr. Young previous role as an Assistant Prosecutor involved handling juvenile criminal cases and child protective services matters, collaborating with law enforcement and social workers to drive fair and just outcomes. He earned his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Young has been admitted to the Ohio Bar since 2019.
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: Managing Ohio Public Construction Projects
Delivery Method: Live Online
Course Description: This 6.0-hour course explores how public construction projects in Ohio are initiated, contracted, and managed, with emphasis on the procedures and requirements that shape project delivery. The course examines the bidding process, the structure and terms that govern construction contracts, and the factors that influence claims, disputes, and project changes. The course also discusses ethical responsibilities attached to public construction work, as well as the contract and management issues that affect coordination among design professionals, contractors, and construction managers.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to discuss bidding procedures, bid requirements, and the materials included in a bid package.
Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to analyze key aspects of project management, including payment, scheduling, changes, permits, and dispute‑resolution procedures.
Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to navigate conflict resolution though mediation, arbitration, and litigation and identify ethical issues, such as conflicts of interest and the acceptance of gifts and favors.
Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to evaluate provisions in construction and design contracts, along with contract‑management issues such as bond requirements, disputes, delays, payment claims, and subcontracting.
LUs: 6.0
LU Type: LU|Elective
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Course Expiration Date: 03/11/2029
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.