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CEO, LifeSpring Environs, Inc
Ms. Stahr has championed and advanced livability for all ages nationally as an advocate, entrepreneur, designer, and business owner. As CEO of LifeSpring Environs, Inc. for over 20 years her work supported missions of government, universities, health care, religious institutions and private and public entities. With several awards for advocacy and pioneering livable communities, Ms. Stahr has promoted livability for all ages in multiple capacities, including as spokesperson and consultant for AARP, the National Association of Homebuilders, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, The Home Depot, Rebuilding Together, Whirlpool, Moen, Ferguson, LSU Health Sciences and various organizations with a desire to better respond to the needs of the growing population of seniors. She co-founded a non-profit that highlighted “hands on” projects for people to understand real life applications that support abilities of all. As a mentor and consultant today, Ms. Stahr strives to impact quality of life through strategic resource development and implementation to complement societal changes.

Special Counsel with Nexsen Pruet
Mr. Ormiston, a member of Nexsen Pruet’s Agribusiness Industry Team, tailors his efforts to meet the special needs of the firm’s clients working within the agricultural industry, particularly those within the Farm Credit System. As part of the Farm Credit System, established by Congress in 1916, Mr. Ormiston’s clients provide a reliable source of funding to agricultural and aquatic producers, rural homeowners and certain agriculture-related businesses and cooperatives.
Before joining Nexsen Pruet, Mr. Ormiston served as associate general counsel for a cooperatively-owned wholesale funding bank within the Texas Farm Credit District, which serves Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. In this role, he advised the bank on various topics including, but not limited to, credit documentation, loan origination, loan closing and servicing, bankruptcy, foreclosure sales and flood insurance.
Prior to going in-house, Mr. Ormiston represented clients in state and local tax litigation and appeals, as well as construction, contract, employment and entertainment law matters.
While still in law school, he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Xavier Rodriguez, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Attorney with Stubbs & Perdue
Ms. Parker was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2018. Her practice areas focus on agricultural law, consumer bankruptcy, and real estate. Before joining Stubbs & Perdue, Ms. Parker obtained her masters degree in Social Work from East Carolina University. During law school, Ms. Parker served as the articles editor of the North Carolina Central Environmental Law Review and was a member of the Pro Bono Council Board.

Assistant Extension Professor with the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University
Mr. Branan serves as assistant extension professor with the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. He is a lawyer who concentrates in agriculture, real property, and natural resource law, with a focus on farm and land succession. Mr. Branan has managed a solo law practice that has served farmers, landowners and food entrepreneurs across North Carolina and Virginia on matters of business planning and management and asset transfer. He has also served as legal counsel to various food distribution and processing companies that create production opportunities for farmers. He has a particular interest in counseling new and beginning farmers and inheritors of farmland, authoring the workbook Planning the Future of Your Farm for farm owners and Getting Started in Farming workbook for beginning farmers. Mr. Branan graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and Wake Forest University Law School, and lives with his family just north of Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Shareholder with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, in Pittsburgh Mr. Madigan is a construction lawyer with more than 30 years of experience and leads the firm’s Construction Practice Group. He represents general contractors, construction managers, engineers, and owners, as well as manufacturers and suppliers of systems, products and materials utilized in construction. Mr. Madigan is experienced in all aspects of construction law from the negotiation of contracts to project counseling and the prosecution and defense of claims. He has extensive knowledge of all types of project delivery systems, including traditional design-bid-build, design-build, EPC, DBOM, and public-private partnerships. Mr. Madigan has litigated construction and design defect claims, delay and disruption claims and payment claims arising from public and private projects in jurisdictions across the United States.

Member with Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, in PittsburghMr. Neiser is a commercial and construction lawyer at thefirm. He has extensive experience in litigation, contractnegotiations, and alternative dispute resolution. His practiceincludes representation of owners, general contractors,and architects on projects of all sizes. Mr. Neiser alsois a mediator and serves as outside general counsel tocorporations. Mr. Neiser is a regular contributor to nationalbusiness and legal publications on topics such as electronicdiscovery, construction law, and trial work. He also is anofficer and council member of the Allegheny County BarAssociation Construction Law Section and is a veteran of theUnited States Marine Corps.

Counsel with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, in Pittsburgh Mr. Webster is a litigator with experience in a wide variety of commercial disputes, though much of his practice involves representing clients in the construction industry. Mr. Webster is an accomplished trial attorney with trial experience in state and federal courts, bench and jury trials, preliminary injunction hearings, and private arbitrations. He advises his construction industry clients, which include owners, design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors, at all stages of a construction project. Mr. Webster has handled disputes for clients in the construction industry involving alleged design defects, professional negligence, delay and disruption claims, unforeseen conditions, property damage, and catastrophic injury. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law and the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Construction Law Section.

Counsel at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C.
Mr. Keller is counsel at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C., where he concentrates his practice on construction, complex litigation, real estate and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). He has a law degree from Washington University School of Law (1980) and a Journalism degree (Kappa Tau Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi) from the University of Missouri (1977). Mr. Keller has tried more than 100 civil cases in court and arbitration and has served as an arbitrator, mediator and neutral in more than 250 cases. The author of more than 100 articles and the speaker at more than 100 seminars, he is listed as a Super Lawyer in construction litigation in Missouri and Kansas.

Principal – Pitzer Snodgrass, P.C.
Nick Meriage is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law where he was awarded the Allen H. Parker Memorial Scholarship, and MU Grant, The JB Reynolds Student Award in Insurance Law, and CALI awards in: Insurance Law, Land Use Controls, and Agricultural Law. Mr. Meriage is developing a focused civil litigation practice. His practice includes professional liability, premises liability, product liability, and business litigation. Previously his practice included ctional work. He is a former small business owner, which helps him relate to the complex issues facing business owners today.

Principal – Pitzer Snodgrass, P.C.
Gary E. Snodgrass received his B.A. degree in Psychology from Saint Louis University, graduating cum laude in 1973; his master of arts degree in Philosophy in 1975, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University; and his J.D. degree in 1978 from Saint Louis University. Gary was admitted to the Bar in Missouri in 1978 and the Bar in Illinois in 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and The Defense Research Institute. Mr. Snodgrass is the former chairman for the International Association of Defense Counsel Construction Litigation Committee. He is an advocate for American Board of Trial Advocates. Other affiliations: The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Lawyers Association of St. Louis, The Missouri Bar, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He completed the American Academy of Attorney-Mediators’ training program in 1994 and serves as a mediator for USA&M on cases pending in various courts in the St. Louis area. Mr. Snodgrass co-authored “Architects and Engineers’ Liability” for the Missouri Tort Law CLE Desk Book series and “Waiver of Subrogation and Allocation of Risk in Construction Contracts” for The Defense Counsel Journal. He is also a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars and trial practice seminars sponsored by the Bar and other professional organizations.

Ms. Banks focuses her practice on all areas of construction law, from contract drafting and negotiation, to pre-litigation dispute resolution, and complex construction disputes involving construction defect, mechanic’s lien, and payment bond claims. She represents clients across the construction spectrum, including design professionals, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. In addition to her construction practice, Ms. Banks serves as outside legal counsel to the AIA Contract Documents Committee and has been intimately involved in the drafting of, and updates to, AIA Contract Documents over the past fifteen years. Ms. Banks frequently presents on topics including risk management for design professionals, owners, and contractors, and updates to, and analysis of, AIA Contract Documents.

Ms. Banks has been published in the Journal of the American College of Construction Lawyers, Construction Law Handbook, and the Maryland State Bar Association Deskbook, as well as in other professional books and publications. Ms. Banks is a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers and has been listed in Chambers USA for Construction in Maryland, U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for Construction Law in Maryland, and Maryland Super Lawyers for Construction Litigation. Ms. Banks is also a member of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, Maryland State Bar Association, and District of Columbia Bar Association.

Partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P. in Columbia, MD Mr. Carney’s practice focuses on construction contract drafting and negotiation, construction claims and dispute avoidance, mechanic’s liens, design and construction defects, and dispute resolution.  He regularly represents owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors. He is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Industry, The Associated General Contractors of Maryland, and The Maryland State Bar Association Construction Law Section.  He is a frequent speaker before several educational organizations.  He is a member of the bars of the Supreme Court, the Federal and state courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia, and the United States Federal Court of Claims.  Mr. Carney received his B.A. degree from Haverford College and his J.D. degree, Order of the Coif, from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Managing Director and Counsel at American Institute of Architects Mr. Cobleigh is a managing director and counsel at the American Institute of Architects.  He works with a team of lawyers, specialists and support staff, and the AIA Documents Committee, in developing and publishing AIA Contract Documents.  Mr. Cobleigh regularly conducts seminars and workshops on topics related to design and construction, as well as topics related to the AIA contract documents program, and he is the author of several articles and other publications on such topics.  Mr. Cobleigh is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he earned both his B.A. and J.D. degrees with honors.  Prior to joining the AIA in 2006, he practiced for 18 years as a construction attorney in private practice Maryland law firms. During that time, he represented owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in a number of dispute resolution forums, including state and federal courts and administrative agencies, mediation and arbitration.  Mr. Cobleigh is admitted in state and federal courts in the State of Maryland.

Associate at Phelps Dunbar, LLP, in New OrleansMs. Arvidson is an associate in the New Orleans office of the law firm of Phelps Dunbar, LP, in the construction litigation section for the firm.  Ms. Arvidson focuses her practice on construction matters, as well as business and commercial litigation, land use, telecommunications, and real estate and AIA contract document litigation.  She also has worked with complex commercial lease agreements and contract negotiations.  She received her B.A. degree in History from the University of California at Davis, and her J.D. degree from Tulane University.  Ms. Arvidson is admitted to practice before all courts in Louisiana and the United States District Courts in Louisiana, as well as the courts of the state of California.  She is a member of the American Bar Association Construction Forum, and is a member of the Louisiana State and California Bar Associations.

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. D’Arcy’s primary practice areas include commercial litigation, construction litigation which he litigates in federal and state courts, and in arbitrations. He is a proponent of resolving matters early in mediation and through alternative dispute resolution if possible so clients can focus on their companies and not on litigation. Additionally, Mr. D’Arcy crafts and reviews construction contracts so that clients are protected on the front end of projects. He has over 18 years of litigation experience. Mr. D’Arcy graduated cum laude from Loyola Law School and now teaches a Construction and Surety Law class there as an adjunct professor. He has also presented numerous lectures on construction and surety issues over the last 18 years and he continues to speak on these subjects on a regular basis. Mr. D’Arcy is licensed to practice law in all Louisiana State courts; the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana; the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States Court of Federal Claims; and other federal district courts across the country. 

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.

Mr. Vicknair worked as a software engineer for a major medical manufacturer and as an electrical engineer for a major chemical manufacturer prior to entering law school. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS degree in both Electrical and Biomedical Engineering and obtained his law degree from Loyola Law School in New Orleans. Mr. Vicknair has taught Louisiana Construction Law at Loyola law school as an assistant adjunct professor. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Louisiana, Texas and New York and is a licensed patent attorney. Mr. Vicknair regularly uses his prior work experience as a part of his legal practice. He is one of the founding partners at D’Arcy | Vicknair, L.L.C. His primary practice areas include construction law, construction litigation, surety law, and all phases of intellectual property, including litigation, prosecution, and transactional matters. Mr. Vicknair also practices in commercial litigation and claims related to construction defects, payment disputes, subcontractor claims, owner claims, and claims by general contractors. He lectures on construction law topics such as Louisiana lien law and general Louisiana construction law as well as intellectual property law topics, including trademarks, patents and copyrights.

Mr. 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.

Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC, Akron, OHMs. McCain is a member of the litigation practice group at Brennan, Manna and Diamond. She focuses on commercial litigation including technically complex breach of contract cases, fraud, business torts, construction law and alternative dispute resolution. She managed a broad range of commercial litigation, negotiations and business counseling as a former partner in a large law firm in Chicago and served as senior counsel for a Fortune 500 company. Ms. McCain’s experience includes representing clients in state and federal court litigation as well as in arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC, Akron, OHMr. Pangrace is a partner in the Construction Practice Group at Brennan, Manna and Diamond where he focuses on commercial litigation and construction law. He represents architects, engineers, contractors and other construction industry professionals in state and federal court litigationand in arbitration, mediation and administrative proceedings with respect to liability claims and other business disputes. Mr. Pangrace also assists architects, engineers, and contractors with the negotiation and drafting of construction contracts and other project documents. He is a LEED®- accredited green associate, a member of the American Institute of Architects and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Pangrace has been recognized as a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine from 2010 to 2016 in the field of Construction Law.

Mr. 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.

Founding Partner, Cobb Law Group
 For over 20 years, Mr. Cobb has concentrated his practice primarily in the area of subcontractor and construction law and small business law including such diverse areas as business entity formation, contract drafting and interpretation, AIA document review, construction liens, payment bond claims, and Miller Act litigation. Mr. Cobb has represented many international, national and regional firms while also serving on numerous private and non-profit boards. He is currently working on a book on subcontractor law to be published by the ABA, and he serves as adjunct faculty in the Thomas University MBA program.

Member and cofounder of Hurst + Sawyer LLC
Mr. Hurst’s law practice is focused on providing excellent legal advice to contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, and owners regarding the resolution of construction disputes and the negotiation and drafting of construction contracts. Prior to entering the practice of law, he spent 16 years with Hurst Construction Co., Inc., in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where his primary duty was to estimate and bid excavation, paving, and utility projects for commercial and governmental owners and contractors. His extensive estimating experience gives him a unique perspective in resolving disputes and negotiating contracts. Mr. Hurst uses this unique perspective to help his clients identify the best path forward in disputes and contract negotiations.

Taylor English Duma LLP
Jeffrey J. Nix’s legal practice focuses entirely on construction law representing stakeholders involved in every facet of the industry. He frequently advises clients regarding the selection of project delivery methods, the drafting and negotiation of design and construction contracts, and the creation of ancillary documents required to kick start construction. He counsels clients redarging ongoing issues, such as contract administration, health and safety, environmental issues, claims management and dispute avoidance. Mr. Nix guides clients through warranty issues, design and construction defects, payment problems and all forms of dispute resolution. Mr. Nix’s clients span all sectors of the construction industry, ranging from small closely-held businesses which construct high-end residential housing to Fortune 100 companies constructing power plants or manufacturing facilities. Mr. Nix is also very active throughout the pro bono community. He is especially passionate about drafting wills and other estate documents as well as teaching others to draft estate documents for individuals battling serious health issues (cancer, ALS, MS, AIDS) and those serving our communities (military, fire, police). Mr. Nix teaches classes on construction law, including classes at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and he frequently lectures and writes on topics of current interest to the construction industry.

Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP
Tracey Pruiett is Of Counsel in the Atlanta office of Smith Currie. She practices in the areas of construction law, civil litigation, and government contracts. She has considerable litigation experience, including sitting first chair in numerous jury trials. She began her legal career in insurance defense, where she gained litigation experience in construction defect cases, commercial disputes, premises liability, motor vehicle carrier liability, and professional negligence matters. She also spent several years as a consultant and then as assistant director for a government contractor that provided management consulting services to the Department of Defense. Her experience as a government contractor and in managing government contracts gives her helpful insight to the legal issues faced by companies seeking to contract with the government. Ms. Pruiett earned her law degree cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law. Ms. Pruiett also holds a degree in Finance from Auburn University.

The Toler Firm, LLC
Tim Toler has been litigating and arbitrating construction and business disputes for 35 years, concentrating in construction disputes since 1988. He has represented owners, architects, engineers, sureties, general and specialty contractors, and heavy equipment suppliers on troubled projects throughout the U.S. Mr. Toler was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of construction law for 2013-2018, is a Charter Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and has been recognized as a Georgia “Super Lawyer” in the category of construction law every year since 2007 and has received an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell every year since 1993. He has extensive experience litigating and arbitrating multi-million dollar disputes arising out of engineering and heavy equipment supply to power plants in the U.S. and abroad, including serving as U.S. trial counsel for German companies and their U.S. affiliates, on numerous EPC projects from 1997 to 2007. Mr. Toler served as lead counsel in litigating, arbitrating or mediating major contract claims on power generation facilities in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Texas and Malaysia. He attended the University of Georgia where he graduated, magna cum laude, in the Honors Program with a B.A. degree in History in 1980. Mr. Toler graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1983, where he served as Chief Justice of the Honor Court and on the Moot Court Board.

Brown and Ruprecht, P.C., Kansas City, MO
Mr. DeBauche is an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Brown and Ruprecht, P.C., of Kansas City, Missouri. He has 35 years of experience in Kansas City as an attorney, representing parties in construction litigation in state and federal courts, before the Boards of Contract Appeals and in arbitrations. He regularly assists contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and designers with preparation of mechanic’s liens and bond claims, review and preparation of contracts, preparation of notice and claim documents, and general day-to-day advice. From 1994 to the present, Mr. DeBauche has taught Construction Law as an adjunct law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He has prepared several articles for Modern Builder on construction law topics. He has taught numerous seminars for the Builders’ Association and other groups on mechanics’ liens, federal contract claims, construction arbitrations, payment issues, extra work and changes, claims against bonds, construction contract documents, ethics issues and bidding issues.

Associate Attorney at Foulston Siefkin LLP
Mr. Green is an attorney at Foulston Siefkin LLP in Overland Park, Kansas. His practice includes design and construction contract drafting and negotiation and dispute resolution through litigation and arbitration. Mr. Green represents a wide range of clients across the construction industry, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals. He has an undergraduate degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Kansas.

Partner with Bradley in Houston, TX
Mr. Farrar focuses his practice on drafting construction, engineering and architectural agreements, as well as service and operation-related contracts and oilfield transactions. He represents clients in a wide range of sophisticated and complex project development matters related to commercial, energy, oil and gas, power, renewable, manufacturing, chemical, pipeline, offshore, and infrastructure. Having served as in-house counsel for international engineering and construction companies, Mr. Farrar is a trusted advisor and consultant on the development of construction projects by leading clients through the development and negotiation of project documents. He has significant experience on a broad range of transactions throughout the entire project cycle – from selection of the proper delivery system through punch list completion. He has drafted and negotiated bespoke agreements, including unique contractual agreements, as well as AIA and FIDIC industry forms.

Jay K. Farwell is a principal in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young and has over 25 years’ experience as a civil trial lawyer handling complex construction matters, as well as commercial, consumer, employment, insurance, and administrative cases. Mr. Farwell is board certified in construction law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He represents general contractors, owners, subcontractors, material suppliers, design professionals and governmental entities in all types of construction cases including defective construction, collections, contractual disputes, delay and interference claims, design professional liability, differing site conditions, misappropriation of construction trust funds, insurance coverage, administrative, and other types of disputes. Mr. Farwell has tried many cases to juries and to the Court in both state and federal courts, and regularly represents parties in arbitration proceedings. He handles appeals in state and federal appellate courts, and he is an experienced mediator.

Nicolas Y. Gavrizi is an associate attorney in the Austin office of Cokinos | Young. His practice is focused on construction law — representing general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in lawsuits involving allegations of construction/design defects and other matters related to dispute management and avoidance, enforcement of lien rights, and contract negotiation/drafting. During law school, Mr. Gavrizi was president of UT Real Law (a real estate law organization), a publishing member of the Texas Environmental Law Journal, and a judicial intern for U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin.

John L. Grayson is a principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. He represents major contractors, including EPC contractors, subcontractors, pipeline contractors, mechanical contractors, sureties, and owners in complex construction matters in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Grayson’s experience includes jury trials, bench trials, mediations and arbitrations of all types of construction-related disputes involving projects ranging from office buildings and hospitals to massive processing plants and LNG storage facilities and energy pipelines. He has represented large and small businesses, design professionals, individuals, physicians and attorneys as well as regional and national banks both as plaintiff and defendant in state and federal courts across the country. A frequent contributor to the Construction Law Journal, Mr. Grayson’s work has also been published in the Texas Bar Journal. He has been an invited speaker at the Center for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria, and he is a regular presenter at the EPC Contract and Risk Management Symposium in Houston, Texas. Mr. Grayson is a Houston Bar Foundation Fellow and maintains membership in the Construction, Litigation, Insurance and Aviation sections of the State Bar of Texas.

Gabriel S. Head is a principal in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. He is a construction lawyer engaged in providing full service representation for general contractors and subcontractors in state and federal courts, arbitration and mediation with respect to breach of contract, design defect and building defect claims, differing site conditions, delay claims, payment issues, mechanic liens and bond claims. Mr. Head also has experience drafting and negotiating complex industry documents including EPC contracts, owner/builder, design-builder, and contractor/subcontractor commercial construction contracts.

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.

Kyle A. Zunker is an attorney in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. He focuses his practice on construction law, commercial litigation, and appellate matters. Mr. Zunker works closely with the lead litigation and lead appellate principals in the San Antonio office. He graduated magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, where he received the prestigious Hutchison Scholarship.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Mr. Anderson is an attorney in the Houston office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. Mr. Anderson’s practice is focused on construction litigation where he represents businesses and individuals in matters involving commercial and residential construction, real estate, financial services, and energy-related disputes. He is a graduate of South Texas College of Law in Houston and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

Mr. Banks is the principal attorney at Banks & Associates, PLLC, a Houston-based law firm focused on meeting the needs of government and construction contractors throughout Texas. He is a trusted advisor for licensed professionals, CEOs and managers in construction firms, and government contractors. Mr. Banks was licensed as a CPA in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a lead accountant and CFO for successful government contractors. He earned his B.B.A. degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, and secured his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Banks is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Banks is a member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

The Cromeens Law Firm
As owner/managing partner for The Cromeens Law Firm, PLLC, Ms. Cromeens has more than 12 years of experience practicing construction, real estate and business law. She has successfully filed more than a thousand lawsuits to foreclose or remove mechanic’s liens, with several of those being tried to a jury. Ms. Cromeens graduated with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Carroll College, before attending the South Texas College of Law, where she received her J.D. degree in 2004. With her extensive experience within the construction and real estate industries, she goes the extra mile, providing her clients with innovative legal strategies and services necessary to protect their rights. As founder of the firm, Ms. Cromeens has grown The Cromeens Law Firm, PLLC, at a tremendous rate and serves as a mentor to several employees.

Partner with Bradley in Houston, TX
Mr. Farrar focuses his practice on drafting construction, engineering and architectural agreements, as well as service and operation-related contracts and oilfield transactions. He represents clients in a wide range of sophisticated and complex project development matters related to commercial, energy, oil and gas, power, renewable, manufacturing, chemical, pipeline, offshore, and infrastructure. Having served as in-house counsel for international engineering and construction companies, Mr. Farrar is a trusted advisor and consultant on the development of construction projects by leading clients through the development and negotiation of project documents. He has significant experience on a broad range of transactions throughout the entire project cycle – from selection of the proper delivery system through punch list completion. He has drafted and negotiated bespoke agreements, including unique contractual agreements, as well as AIA and FIDIC industry forms.

West Mermis PLLC
Mr. Mermis is a founding partner of West Mermis, PLLC. He has broad experience in litigation, construction, energy and business matters. Mr. Mermis has extensive trial experience having conducted jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations involving significant multi-million-dollar commercial projects throughout Texas. He represents operators, general contractors, subcontractors, developers, suppliers, product manufacturers, businesses and individuals in a variety of disputes. He is licensed in Texas. Mr. Mermis has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters, which is an honor conferred upon only on 5 percent of lawyers in Texas and named a Best Lawyer. He was also selected by his peers for inclusion in H Texas Magazine Top Lawyer and Houstonian Top Lawyer. Mr. Mermis is the past chair of the Houston Bar Association Construction Law Section. West Mermis, PLLC has been a Best Law Firm by US News & World Report.

Debra B. Norris, P.C.
Ms. Norris combines her technical and legal background in her construction law practice. She has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Louisiana Tech University; a B.A. degree in Physics, cum laude, from Centenary College; and a J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law. As an electrical engineer she spent ten years building plants for the gas and chemical industries. For the past three years she has been recognized as “Top Houston Lawyer” in construction law by H Texas Magazine. Ms. Norris has also taught construction law in the graduate faculty at the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston since 2005.