product

Dr. Delaney is president and general manager of the construction management services group at Delaney CMS in Union Springs, New York. He is the former president of C&S Design Build Inc., C&S’s program and construction management company, where he started the agency construction management business. In his 12-year career there, he developed it into the fastest-growing and most profitable of the firms’ business units. At C&S, Dr. Delaney was responsible for more than $1 billion in completed projects in the education, municipal, wastewater, airport, and private development sectors. In his 25 years as a construction professional, he has served in many roles including those of project engineer, design coordinator, superintendent, construction manager, program manager, general manager, and president. Dr. Delaney is a licensed professional engineer, holds the program management professional (PgMP®) credential, is a certified construction manager (CCM®), and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) accredited professional. Dr. Delaney is the only person in the world with all these credentials. In addition, he is an expert critical path method scheduler and has presented both nationally and internationally on construction, project, and program management. Dr. Delaney received his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He enjoys sharing his experience leading teams, and he has provided management training to senior management including his colleagues at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Senior Executive Institute and at Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Inc., and L3 Communications. Dr. Delaney was recently the keynote speaker at the Tri-State Diversity Summit where he shared Delaney CMS’s (a woman-owned business enterprise) vision for equality and empowerment. He is also a professor in the Construction Management Department at Southern Mississippi University. He recently published a university textbook titled Construction Program Management by CRC Press. The textbook is used to teach undergraduate and graduate students and by practitioners to help them formulate a process-based approach for management of large projects and programs.

Dr. Dawson recently retired as the Associate Vice President for Administrative Operations at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi where he oversaw facility operations, maintenance, grounds, custodial, and planning and construction as well as Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for the “Island” campus. His experience spans federal, state, county and local municipality projects including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Department of Defense (DoD) including the Naval Construction Battalion’s at Gulfport and Port Hueneme, Seabees, Navy Civil Engineer Corp, Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force Civil Engineers and RED HORSE units, in addition to higher education with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) University of North Texas System (UNTS) and Tarrant County College District (TCCD). Dr. Dawson has more than 38 years’ experience in urban planning, developmental programming, building and infrastructure design, construction and program management for a wide variety of capital investment programs and unique environments. He is a retired Air Force Civil Engineering officer with experience in the design and construction of numerous facilities supporting major weapon systems and the U.S. electronic security and space programs world-wide. Dr. Dawson is a registered architect in the State of Texas and a certified city planner. He is also a U.S. Green Building Institute Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) with experience in numerous sustainable projects. He has specialized mediation and disputes resolution training and experience directly related to the design and construction industry, successfully resolving construction claims based on errors and omissions, defective product or workmanships, scheduling deviations or Acts-of-God. Additional skills include preparation of specifications, bidding and construction plans, cost estimates, and bidding services related to federal and state contract requirements and processes.

Dr. Hassan’s extensive educational portfolio includes a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and infrastructure from George Mason University, a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the City College of NY, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Cairo University. This robust academic background is the cornerstone of the construction solutions offered by the Hassan Consulting Group. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the states of Virginia and Texas and a licensed contractor in Virginia and Washington, DC. His diverse qualifications further encompass certification by the Supreme Court of Virginia as a Mediator and admission into the Virginia and Washington DC Court Systems. Complementing his industry experience is a decade-long teaching tenure at prestigious institutions like George Mason University, DeVry University, and Northern Virginia Community College. These roles have aided in refining his analytical skills and enhancing his industry knowledge. As a construction expert witness with 15 years of experience, Dr. Hassan has provided valuable insights into disputes involving owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. His proficiency in project cost analysis, quality control, time management, and overall construction solutions is unparalleled. A certified mediator, Dr. Hassan has facilitated the resolution of numerous conflicts over a 15-year period. His expertise in the field of construction solutions is invaluable, especially when we consider how difficult it can be to navigate the complex dynamics of the construction industry.

Dr. Atalah teaches construction management at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). He has taught and mentored hundreds of construction management students since 2000. Dr. Atalah has written many peer-reviewed-journal and conference papers. He has made hundreds of construction management presentations in many national and international conferences and educational seminars. Dr. Atalah has been involved in the construction of water and wastewater projects since 1984. He earned a Doctor of Engineering degree, an MS degree in Civil Engineering, and MBA degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. After his graduation with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1982, he worked on the construction of wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as high ground water table, stratified soils, unknown utilities, congested streets, and nearby high-rise buildings. Dr. Atalah also worked on the construction of water and wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as tunneling in very sensitive tourism and commercial areas where construction disturbance must be minimized on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Ms. Bowman is a sole proprietor, practicing in dispute resolution, estate planning, civil engineering, real estate, legal services, strategic development, and training. She is experienced in dispute resolution, estate planning and administration, engineering design and forensic analysis, construction/project management, real estate, small business start-up, employment law, and nonprofit support. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified arbitrator and mediator. Mrs. Bowman writes a column for the PE Reporter, “Risky Business,” and she lectures for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania State University, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and others. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota, her M.B.A. degree from Oklahoma University, and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University. She recently joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Senior Director of Ethics and Professional Practice.

Mr. Moore is a Certified Insurance Counselor and Licensed Insurance Counselor who has specialized in insuring architects, engineers, environmental consultants, and surveyors for nearly 30 years. He is past president of a/e ProNet, previous chair of the City of Hillsdale Planning Commission, and trustee on the Hillsdale Community Schools Board of Education from 2019-2025 and was active with the Exchange Club of Hillsdale for nearly 25 years. Moore Insurance Services was founded in 1894 as the W.D. Taylor Agency, Charles L. Moore purchased the agency in 1968, and the Moore family has continued providing the professional and personal insurance service that William Dempster Taylor started 132 years ago.

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Mr. Sherman is a member of Prince Lobel’s Construction and Business Transactions practice groups. He is an experienced construction attorney with significant construction transactional, consulting, and litigation experience. In this capacity, Mr. Sherman assists construction project owners, developers, general contractors, construction management firms, subcontractors, and material suppliers with realtime project consulting, drafting and negotiating all manner of construction agreements and forms, and with prosecuting and defending construction disputes. Mr. Sherman advises clients during the construction delivery process, assisting with the drafting and review of all forms of design, construction, and consultant agreements. He has experience preparing, negotiating, and amending the standard suite of industry form agreements (e.g., AIA, DBIA, and ConsensusDocs) and preparing other forms of agreement like EPC agreements, construction management agreements, surety forms, guaranteed maximum price contracts, purchase orders, master service agreements, and other ancillary documents used for, by, and with construction project owners and developers, construction management firms, subcontractors, design professionals, and material suppliers.

Mr. Stoner has successfully defended claims against design professionals for design defects, tortious interference, failure to inspect, and damages for delay, and he has handled contractor claims and surety and lien claims. In addition, he frequently represents shareholders in various business disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and usurpation of corporate opportunity. Mr. Stoner has successfully tried cases in both state and federal courts. His contributions to the legal profession are not limited to the courtroom. He has lectured extensively on various risk management issues for design professionals on areas such as contract drafting, project documentation, claims handling, and other issues that typically arise during a construction project. Mr. Stoner earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. 

At the firm, Mr. Vyas handles legal matters in the realm of construction, contracts, patents, and more. In the construction law world, he represents a wide variety of clients ranging from contractors and owners to engineers and subcontractors. Mr. Vyas has garnered the attention of many attorneys and engineers alike in a short time since opening his own law firm in 2018. This has brought him recognition on a national and global scale with his handling negotiations, mediation, and arbitration internationally in addition to his domestic law practice. Mr. Vyas has organized symposiums to discuss construction law issues and spoken at various conferences and internal construction company events about how to best manage and mitigate legal risk in engineering and construction projects. In 2018, the same year He opened his law firm, he was awarded the Clients’ Choice Award. Since becoming an attorney, Mr. Vyas has collected numerous accolades including consecutively being selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. He enjoys the life of being a true solo attorney law firm. It allows him to truly connect to each of his clients and address their needs directly. Mr. Vyas regularly posts to his law firm’s blog and on social media channels @SAVLawFirm. While connecting with clients is his favorite activity, he also stays regularly connected with his peers and new topics in the field of engineering and law as he is a member of over a dozen unique associations, institutions, bars, and programs across the globe.

Mr. Case’s practice focuses on commercial, contract, construction, and surety law. In his construction practice, he has provided ongoing representation for numerous design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and suppliers in a wide range of business matters, including defense and prosecution of claims relating to damages for delay, differing site conditions, construction change directives, owner interference, design errors/omissions, and contract interpretation in connection with public and private construction projects (commercial, institutional, and industrial). In his surety practice, Mr. Case represents sureties in large and small matters including defaults, litigation, and claims against performance and payment bonds. He serves on the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, and the American Arbitration Association’s Large, Complex Case Panel. Mr. Case was ranked among The Best Lawyers in America®, by Woodward/ White, Inc.; was named a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters; and was rated a “Top Lawyer” by Dbusiness magazine.

Ms. Hughes engages in a variety of civil defense litigation ranging from general liability to professional liability, including complex litigation. She received her B.S. degree from Illinois College and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University School of Law. Given her business background as an undergraduate, Ms. Hughes brings an exceptional touch that complements the firm’s design and construction focus.

Mr. Moore is a Certified Insurance Counselor and Licensed Insurance Counselor who has specialized in insuring architects, engineers, environmental consultants, and surveyors for nearly 30 years. He is past president of a/e ProNet, previous chair of the City of Hillsdale Planning Commission, and trustee on the Hillsdale Community Schools Board of Education from 2019-2025 and was active with the Exchange Club of Hillsdale for nearly 25 years. Moore Insurance Services was founded in 1894 as the W.D. Taylor Agency, Charles L. Moore purchased the agency in 1968, and the Moore family has continued providing the professional and personal insurance service that William Dempster Taylor started 132 years ago.

Mr. Quesada has been practicing law since 1993 and is admitted to all Michigan Courts and the U.S. District Courts of Michigan. His practice has been concentrated in the design and construction industries. He has represented architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, private construction owners, and public entities in business and construction law matters, contract, construction and property disputes, construction lien and bond claims and defense, professional malpractice, copyright, insurance claims and defense and government affairs. Mr. Quesada has been named an honorary affiliate member of the AIA, and he was named one of Metro Detroit’s Top Lawyers by DBusiness Magazine. He is also an arbitrator on the AAA panel.

Mr. Sherman is a member of Prince Lobel’s Construction and Business Transactions practice groups. He is an experienced construction attorney with significant construction transactional, consulting, and litigation experience. In this capacity, Mr. Sherman assists construction project owners, developers, general contractors, construction management firms, subcontractors, and material suppliers with realtime project consulting, drafting and negotiating all manner of construction agreements and forms, and with prosecuting and defending construction disputes. Mr. Sherman advises clients during the construction delivery process, assisting with the drafting and review of all forms of design, construction, and consultant agreements. He has experience preparing, negotiating, and amending the standard suite of industry form agreements (e.g., AIA, DBIA, and ConsensusDocs) and preparing other forms of agreement like EPC agreements, construction management agreements, surety forms, guaranteed maximum price contracts, purchase orders, master service agreements, and other ancillary documents used for, by, and with construction project owners and developers, construction management firms, subcontractors, design professionals, and material suppliers.

Mr. Stoner has successfully defended claims against design professionals for design defects, tortious interference, failure to inspect, and damages for delay, and he has handled contractor claims and surety and lien claims. In addition, he frequently represents shareholders in various business disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and usurpation of corporate opportunity. Mr. Stoner has successfully tried cases in both state and federal courts. His contributions to the legal profession are not limited to the courtroom. He has lectured extensively on various risk management issues for design professionals on areas such as contract drafting, project documentation, claims handling, and other issues that typically arise during a construction project. Mr. Stoner earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. 

Mr. Thomas focuses his practice on handling matters involving the construction process, including up-front contract reviews, commercial litigation, professional liability defense and trial work. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, land surveyors and landscape architects in all phases of construction claims. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois, the Federal Court of Claims, and several Federal Courts. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Defense Research Institute and its Construction Law Committee, Product Liability Committee, Building Products – Substantive Litigation Group, and Professional Liability Committee, where he served on the Steering Committee, and Design Professional Subcommittee. Mr. Thomas is an associate member of the ASCE and the AIA, and is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers as a Best Lawyer in Construction Law, and was honored as Lawyer of the Year in Construction-Litigation for 2022.

Ms. Bowman is a sole proprietor, practicing in dispute resolution, estate planning, civil engineering, real estate, legal services, strategic development, and training. She is experienced in dispute resolution, estate planning and administration, engineering design and forensic analysis, construction/project management, real estate, small business start-up, employment law, and nonprofit support. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified arbitrator and mediator. Mrs. Bowman writes a column for the PE Reporter, “Risky Business,” and she lectures for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania State University, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and others. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota, her M.B.A. degree from Oklahoma University, and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University. She recently joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Senior Director of Ethics and Professional Practice.

Ryan DesJardins is originally from Michigan and has been practicing law in Oregon since 2013 first serving as a federal judicial clerk then transitioning to private practice. While his practice is varied, he specializes in policyholder-side insurance coverage litigation. Mr. DesJardins has participated in the full range of insurance disputes, including hundred-million-dollar commercial insurance claims, Superfund environmental cleanup claims, and individual home/auto policy disputes. He firmly believes that a strong knowledge of insurance law and the complex interplay between insurance policies can serve all attorneys and business owners. Whether an insurer fulfills the obligations of the insurance policies they issue can be the difference between bankruptcy and business as usual. Mr. DesJardins is of counsel for the boutique firm McDermott Weaver Connelly Clifford LLP in Portland, Oregon, where he represents clients in complex civil litigation.

Mr. Draper is a Knoxville native and the senior shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville construction law practice group. He is an AV-rated trial lawyer with broad experience in civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he operated a paint contracting business and worked in commercial construction. His law practice is concentrated in construction defect litigation, professional liability defense, commercial disputes and insurance coverage disputes. His construction clients include owners, designers, industrial, commercial, utility, and residential general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He has successfully defended a broad range of licensed professionals, including architects and engineers, lawyers, health care providers, surveyors, and realtors. He also has extensive experience in insurance coverage disputes, much of it related to the construction industry. Mr. Draper has extensive arbitration experience and he serves as both an arbitrator and mediator. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed Civil Mediator. He is a founding member and past president (2015) of the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel, and long-time member of the Steering Committee of the Construction Practice Group of ALFA International – a global legal network of premier law firms in which the firm is a member. In his law practice, he aspires to the example of his now retired father lawyer, Jack Draper, who counseled that a lawyer should always seek to leave no stone unturned, but to resolve, rather than perpetuate conflict wherever possible.

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Mr. Sherman is a member of Prince Lobel’s Construction and Business Transactions practice groups. He is an experienced construction attorney with significant construction transactional, consulting, and litigation experience. In this capacity, Mr. Sherman assists construction project owners, developers, general contractors, construction management firms, subcontractors, and material suppliers with realtime project consulting, drafting and negotiating all manner of construction agreements and forms, and with prosecuting and defending construction disputes. Mr. Sherman advises clients during the construction delivery process, assisting with the drafting and review of all forms of design, construction, and consultant agreements. He has experience preparing, negotiating, and amending the standard suite of industry form agreements (e.g., AIA, DBIA, and ConsensusDocs) and preparing other forms of agreement like EPC agreements, construction management agreements, surety forms, guaranteed maximum price contracts, purchase orders, master service agreements, and other ancillary documents used for, by, and with construction project owners and developers, construction management firms, subcontractors, design professionals, and material suppliers.

Mr. Stoner has successfully defended claims against design professionals for design defects, tortious interference, failure to inspect, and damages for delay, and he has handled contractor claims and surety and lien claims. In addition, he frequently represents shareholders in various business disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and usurpation of corporate opportunity. Mr. Stoner has successfully tried cases in both state and federal courts. His contributions to the legal profession are not limited to the courtroom. He has lectured extensively on various risk management issues for design professionals on areas such as contract drafting, project documentation, claims handling, and other issues that typically arise during a construction project. Mr. Stoner earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. 

Daniel A. Dorfman is a capital partner and chair of the Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP’s Chambers-ranked Construction Law Group. He has been named among the leading construction law attorneys in Illinois by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Mr. Dorfman represents local Chicago-based and nationally prominent owners/developers and some of the largest and most well-known design and construction professionals in the country on their most important projects – both on the front end in drafting and negotiating complex agreements and on the back end litigating and trying to verdict all types of commercial construction disputes. He also serves as Acting General Counsel for construction industry clients. In addition to being an accomplished construction lawyer, Mr. Dorfman has a related policyholder/insurance Coverage practice representing insureds in securing millions of dollars of coverage, both within and outside of the construction industry, in insurance coverage disputes. He is a frequent presenter, author and academic lecturer on construction law topics.

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Mr. Sherman is a member of Prince Lobel’s Construction and Business Transactions practice groups. He is an experienced construction attorney with significant construction transactional, consulting, and litigation experience. In this capacity, Mr. Sherman assists construction project owners, developers, general contractors, construction management firms, subcontractors, and material suppliers with realtime project consulting, drafting and negotiating all manner of construction agreements and forms, and with prosecuting and defending construction disputes. Mr. Sherman advises clients during the construction delivery process, assisting with the drafting and review of all forms of design, construction, and consultant agreements. He has experience preparing, negotiating, and amending the standard suite of industry form agreements (e.g., AIA, DBIA, and ConsensusDocs) and preparing other forms of agreement like EPC agreements, construction management agreements, surety forms, guaranteed maximum price contracts, purchase orders, master service agreements, and other ancillary documents used for, by, and with construction project owners and developers, construction management firms, subcontractors, design professionals, and material suppliers.

Christopher K. Sweeney, a partner at Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP, joined the firm’s litigation department in 2012. Licensed to practice in MA, RI, and NH, Chris represents engineers, architects, owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect, delay, and personal injury cases. He also advises owners and property managers in commercial real estate disputes and defends professionals accused of malpractice. He was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers from 2015-2022 and was designated as a Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine in 2021. During law school, Mr. Sweeney was an editor of the Suffolk University Law Review and won the Justice Tom C. Clark Appellate Advocacy Competition. He currently serves as co-chair of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association’s Construction Law Committee and as Chair of the Professional Liability Defense Federation’s Architects and Design Professionals Committee. Mr. Sweeney also is an active member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute.

Mr. Thomas focuses his practice on handling matters involving the construction process, including up-front contract reviews, commercial litigation, professional liability defense and trial work. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, land surveyors and landscape architects in all phases of construction claims. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois, the Federal Court of Claims, and several Federal Courts. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Defense Research Institute and its Construction Law Committee, Product Liability Committee, Building Products – Substantive Litigation Group, and Professional Liability Committee, where he served on the Steering Committee, and Design Professional Subcommittee. Mr. Thomas is an associate member of the ASCE and the AIA, and is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers as a Best Lawyer in Construction Law, and was honored as Lawyer of the Year in Construction-Litigation for 2022.

S. Jake Carroll, Attorney, Nelson Mullins
Jake represents and advises clients in the construction, manufacturing, and real estate industries in business disputes, commercial transactions, and related corporate matters. Jake’s construction practice encompasses representation of contractors, subcontractors, public and private owners, architectural and engineering firms, and sureties in a variety of disputes involving contracts, business torts, multi-party construction defects, and in negotiating construction contracts and related agreements. Jake pursues and defends lien, payment bond, and performance bond claims on behalf of owners, contractors, and sureties. Jake co-authored the most recent edition of the Georgia Construction Law Handbook, a leading treatise, and is an active member of the Construction Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Jake also advises businesses in commercial and financial disputes involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, business torts, and equipment dealer statutes. Jake applies his industry knowledge to also represent construction and manufacturing clients as creditors in insolvency litigation and bankruptcy matters. Recognizing that traditional litigation is not always in the client’s best interest, Jake negotiates pre-dispute settlements and represents clients in mediations, early neutral evaluations, and arbitrations. 

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Richard J. Storrs Attorney, The Storrs Law Firm
Richard J. Storrs practices law and serves as an ADR professional in Atlanta, Georgia, at The Storrs Law Firm. He has practiced construction law and commercial litigation in Atlanta since 1984. Mr. Storrs is known for being a creative and experienced mediator, focusing on resolving construction and commercial disputes. He also serves as a respected arbitrator in construction and commercial matters. Mr. Storrs also continues to represent clients in construction law matters, commercial litigation, and real estate issues. He also assists with forming and structuring organizations, drafting agreements, and avoiding disputes before they arise. Mr. Storrs has taught design and construction law since 2006 at Georgia Tech, and at the law schools at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. He has appeared at numerous seminars and has written extensively about construction law issues. His publications include authoring chapters since 2012 on no damage for delay clauses and surety law in the annual Construction Law Update. Mr. Storrs received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia, where he graduated with honors and served as a notes editor of the Georgia Law Review.

Mr. Wilcove is a commercial litigator focusing on the construction industry in all aspects of construction disputes. Representing contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, engineers and material suppliers, he handles such matters as payment disputes and delay claims, as well as construction and design defect cases. Mr. Wilcove also assists his clients in negotiating and drafting construction contracts. Further demonstration of his commitment and understanding to the construction industry is his service as Legal Counsel for Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia, Inc. and as Legal Counsel and an Executive Committee Member with Georgia Built. Mr. Wilcove is a published author with several articles on construction litigation and contract topics appearing in Tools of the Trade and Construction Executive magazines. His commercial litigation practice focuses on the manufacturing sector in payment disputes, impact and delay claims, as well as construction and design defect cases. Mr. Wilcove assists clients with product recalls, consumer complaints and media inquiries. He also assists clients with negotiating and drafting supply and end-user agreements. Mr. Wilcove real estate practice includes all facets of real estate disputes, including real estate malpractice claims against attorneys, title examiners, real estate agents and property managers, along with assisting clients with drafting and negotiating real estate and management agreements. 

Mr. Bowen’s practice focuses on advising clients on best practices to prevent and respond to data privacy and cybersecurity matters. His expertise includes providing pre-breach and incident response counseling and managing all aspects of cybersecurity incident response, including forensic investigations and remediation, media and third-party communications, data mining, breach notification, subrogation, and litigation. Mr. Bowen has experience managing media and third-party communications with state, federal and international regulators and represents his clients in connection with government investigations that arise out of cybersecurity issues. Mr. Bowen also provides counseling on matters relating to HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, PCI-DSS, and various state data protection and breach notification laws. He also has experience advising and assisting with proactive data privacy measures and breach prevention, including the creation of information security plans and programs, acceptable use policies, and incident response plans.

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.

Ms. Dawson’s practice includes extensive experience of responding to data security incidents while ensuring her clients remain compliant with state, federal and international requirements, as well as managing operational and reputational impact. She also develops and provides oversights for complex insurance programs, implementing cyber incident response policies and protocols, overseeing risk management, engaging in insurance program negotiations, retaining and overseeing outside counsel, providing client training to mitigate risk, and resolving insurance coverage disputes. Ms. Dawson’s experience includes representing private companies and public entities whose operations have been affected by ransomware attacks or impacted by a business email compromise. She is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as an accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). 

Daniel A. Dorfman is a capital partner and chair of the Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP’s Chambers-ranked Construction Law Group. He has been named among the leading construction law attorneys in Illinois by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Mr. Dorfman represents local Chicago-based and nationally prominent owners/developers and some of the largest and most well-known design and construction professionals in the country on their most important projects – both on the front end in drafting and negotiating complex agreements and on the back end litigating and trying to verdict all types of commercial construction disputes. He also serves as Acting General Counsel for construction industry clients. In addition to being an accomplished construction lawyer, Mr. Dorfman has a related policyholder/insurance Coverage practice representing insureds in securing millions of dollars of coverage, both within and outside of the construction industry, in insurance coverage disputes. He is a frequent presenter, author and academic lecturer on construction law topics.

Mr. Thomas focuses his practice on handling matters involving the construction process, including up-front contract reviews, commercial litigation, professional liability defense and trial work. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, land surveyors and landscape architects in all phases of construction claims. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois, the Federal Court of Claims, and several Federal Courts. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Defense Research Institute and its Construction Law Committee, Product Liability Committee, Building Products – Substantive Litigation Group, and Professional Liability Committee, where he served on the Steering Committee, and Design Professional Subcommittee. Mr. Thomas is an associate member of the ASCE and the AIA, and is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers as a Best Lawyer in Construction Law, and was honored as Lawyer of the Year in Construction-Litigation for 2022.

Ms. Banta is a connector and resourceful problem solver who is passionate about demystifying legal requirements and helping clients create, protect and leverage value. She is a registered patent attorney and focuses on assisting Fortune 100 and middle-market clients with global trademark, patent, and copyright needs and infringement issues. She concentrates her practice in the areas of foreign and U.S. trademark, patent, and copyright prosecution; bet-the-company patent, trademark, copyright, design, unfair competition, right of publicity, marketing, and trade secret litigation; dispute negotiation; intellectual property licensing; and business planning for protection and value enhancement of intellectual property. Her focus in all these endeavors is business planning for protection and value enhancement of intellectual property.

As a connector, Ms. Banta’s intellectual property clients trust her to find the right connection on non-IP issues, and so Holiday enjoys serving as outside general counsel to many of her clients. She assists companies to develop in-house intellectual property protection programs and recommends and implements protection strategies for core intellectual property assets. Through these programs and strategies, she provides clients with business planning to protect and enhance the value of their intellectual property. Ms. Banta has worked with clients in a wide range of fields, including the medical device, biotechnology, software, agricultural, wine, consumer products, chemical, pharmaceutical, equine, wireless technology, private equity, logistics, real estate, food service, automotive, banking, drone, insurance, refrigeration, plastics, aviation, toys, veterinary, travel, and publishing fields.

Ms. Hamer’s experience, success, and reputation earned her the honor of receiving IndyBar’s first-ever V. Sue Shields Young Female Lawyer Award in August 2025. The award recognizes an emerging female attorney who embodies excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to the ideals of justice. Ms. Hamer was selected by her peers as an Indiana Super Lawyers – Rising Star honoree in 2019-2025 in Environmental Litigation, and Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for 2024-2026 in Environmental Law, Construction Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defense. In addition, she is a registered civil mediator. Ms. Hamer is a volunteer attorney for multiple projects through the Indianapolis Bar Association (IndyBar), the Indiana Bar Association, and the Indiana Bar Foundation. She has served on the Executive Committee for the Women and Law Division (WLD) of IndyBar since 2017 and chaired the WLD Mentoring Program in 2018 and 2019. As of 2021, she is an at-large member of the IndyBar Insurance Coverage Section’s Executive Committee. In 2025, she was elected to a two-year term as Vice-Chair of the Indianapolis Chapter of Women in E-Discovery, having previously served a term as Social Media Director and a term as Membership Director.

Ms. Hamer was elected to the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management’s (IHMM) National Board of Directors in 2020 and re-elected for another four-year term beginning in 2024. She was elected Chair of the IHMM’s Board in 2025, having previously served on the Executive Committee as Vice-Chair and Secretary. The IHMM certifies and manages multiple hazardous and dangerous materials and occupational safety and health credentials. She is also a regular speaker on environmental law, including PFAS topics, administrative laws and procedures, and on construction and insurance law issues. Ms. Hamer has been a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) since 2010, as accredited under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, the International Standard for Personnel Certification Programs, and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).She is also an environmental professional, as defined in the ASTM E1527 standard for environmental and real estate due diligence and under the U.S. EPA’s guidance.

Her prior legal experience includes work as a civil defense attorney for another Indianapolis law firm, where she concentrated on environmental, construction, and A/E professional malpractice litigation and insurance coverage. She previously was an attorney in E-discovery and ESI management. She was a law clerk in Marion Environmental Court under Judge David Certo, with the Civil Litigation Section of the Indiana Attorney General’s office, and for Chief Environmental Law Judge Mary Davidsen with the former Indiana Office of Environmental Adjudication. Ms. Hamer’s prior business experience includes work as an environmental and real estate redevelopment consultant, in environmental laboratories, and as a regulator in multiple states and regulatory media. She led her certified woman-owned business for several years, providing environmental risk assessment, technical review, regulatory negotiation, and business development services for environmental consultants in Indiana and Illinois.

Ms. Hamer was also a senior environmental manager and environmental risk assessor for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). She was an invited peer-reviewer and is credited in the 2012 IDEM Remediation Closure Guide. She is a founder and a past vice president and treasurer of the Midwestern States Environmental Consultants Association and was an organizer of the 2006, 2009, and 2010 Midwestern States Risk Assessment Symposiums. Ms. Hamer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Columbia College where she graduated cum laude. She then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a graduate certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law.

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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.

Mr. Katz has practiced law in Maryland for two decades, primarily focusing on construction litigation. However, he has a soft spot for representing architects and engineers facing disciplinary proceedings. In these cases, he aims to both zealously defend his clients from harsh repercussions so as to preserve their license to practice, but also to educate them so that they can avoid further disciplinary charges in the future.

Mr. Kelly joined Jackson & Campbell, P.C. from the Department of Justice in 1988. He became a Director in 1992 and a Shareholder in 1993, and is a member of the Firm’s General Litigation and Trial Practice Group. He has been appointed a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, is rated AV-Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell, and has received the coveted Super Lawyer designation for Washington, D.C. in the fields of professional liability, general litigation, and insurance coverage annually beginning in 2012. He is included on the Roster of Neutrals of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for construction disputes, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator in disputes brought to the AAA for resolution.

He serves as a volunteer arbitrator with the D.C. Bar’s Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, is a Steering Committee member of the Litigation Community of the District of Columbia Bar, and is a member of the Steering Committee of the Construction Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association. In 2015 he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Coverage and Extra-Contractual Counsel. Mr. Kelly’s practice has concentrated on the counseling and defense of clients in litigation arising out of construction defect and delay claims, professional liability claims (particularly those brought against architects, engineers and social services providers), environmental and toxic tort disputes (including asbestos, gasoline spills, and interior mold claims), pharmaceutical product liability claims and serious bodily injury and wrongful death claims. He also assists insurance companies in resolving coverage questions arising under general liability and professional liability policies in those and other areas of the law, and represents insurers in coverage litigation.

Like any litigator, he has had occasion to take on cases in other areas as far afield as those involving employment discrimination, public charity tax issues, and tort suits against adoption agencies. A member of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Florida bars, Mr. Kelly’s practice is centered in the regional D.C., Maryland, and Virginia state and federal courts, but he has been admitted pro hac vice to the courts of virtually all other east coast states, and in a good number of western states including Arizona, Montana, Texas, and Wyoming. In addition to his trial work, Bob has represented clients in appeals in several states, including briefing appeals to the Supreme Courts of Delaware, South Carolina, and Texas, and briefing and arguing appeals to the Supreme Courts of Virginia and West Virginia, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, and the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits. Before coming to Jackson & Campbell, Mr. Kelly was a Senior Trial Attorney with DOJ’s Civil Division (Torts Branch) defending environmental and toxic tort (asbestos) claims brought against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

He also maintained a significant admiralty and maritime tort caseload. In 1987, he joined the Adjunct Faculty of the Washington College of Law at The American University, where he taught legal writing for seven years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in civil engineering from Princeton University in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1977. Mr. Kelly speaks and publishes frequently on litigation and insurance coverage topics, and currently is most active in the Construction Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, and the Litigation Section of the District of Columbia Bar. He is a past Vice Chair of the Insurance Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS).

He authors and provides annual updates to the chapters on District of Columbia law in two highly regarded treatises, the “Tort Law Desk Reference” and the “Product Liability Desk Reference.” He wrote the chapter on Post-Evidentiary Actions and Relief from Judgments and Orders for inclusion in the D.C. Bar Association’s most recent (2014) update to its “Civil Trial Practice Manual,” as well as the post-trial (appellate) chapter in the recent reissuance of “Appleman’s on Insurance,” a nationally recognized treatise on insurance coverage law. He also has been principally responsible for updating the DC Bar’s Litigation Section’s chapter on Superior Court Civil Practice in “The District of Columbia Practice Manual.”

Mr. Policastri is a trial attorney with more than 37 years of experience handling commercial and construction disputes, including the defense of professional liability matters involving engineers and other design professionals. He regularly advises clients on insurance coverage issues related to professional liability. Mr. Policastri has represented parties in multi-million-dollar claims involving alleged design coordination failures, construction sequencing disputes, and performance standard disagreements, where liability turned on the project specifications and the allocation of responsibility under contract documents. He earned an LL.M. in Litigation Management, focusing on the trial and dispute resolution strategy in the management of complex multiparty litigation with catastrophic loss. Mr. Policastri is licensed to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Louisiana.

Mr. Smith practices in O’Hagan Meyer’s Maryland office. A civil litigator for over 30 years, the bulk of his time has been devoted to the defense of design professionals. He holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale Hubbell. In addition to providing malpractice litigation defense, he prepares and negotiates contracts and provides risk mitigation advice for his clients. Mr. Smith has litigated, tried cases, and handled appellate matters in each of the jurisdictions in which he practices. While he has concentrated on the defense of design professionals, he has experience in premises liability, automobile accident, products liability, insurance coverage, food poisoning, asbestos cases, and even one McDonald’s “hot coffee” case. Mr. Smith spent seven years as the in-house lead claims counsel for Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (BGE). There, he oversaw cases from investigation through trial, handled portions of crisis response, as well as advised management on risk mitigation strategies. His experience with utility issues began before his stint with BGE, providing defense and counsel to underground utility locating companies, and continued after his return to private practice with work on revisions to the Maryland “Miss Utility” law and membership on the Defense Research Institute’s Public Utilities Task Force. Mr. Smith was BGE’s representative to the Southeastern Electric Exchange Claims Committee, where he also served as secretary, vice chair and chair, (at different times).

At the firm, Mr. Vyas handles legal matters in the realm of construction, contracts, patents, and more. In the construction law world, he represents a wide variety of clients ranging from contractors and owners to engineers and subcontractors. Mr. Vyas has garnered the attention of many attorneys and engineers alike in a short time since opening his own law firm in 2018. This has brought him recognition on a national and global scale with his handling negotiations, mediation, and arbitration internationally in addition to his domestic law practice. Mr. Vyas has organized symposiums to discuss construction law issues and spoken at various conferences and internal construction company events about how to best manage and mitigate legal risk in engineering and construction projects. In 2018, the same year He opened his law firm, he was awarded the Clients’ Choice Award. Since becoming an attorney, Mr. Vyas has collected numerous accolades including consecutively being selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. He enjoys the life of being a true solo attorney law firm. It allows him to truly connect to each of his clients and address their needs directly. Mr. Vyas regularly posts to his law firm’s blog and on social media channels @SAVLawFirm. While connecting with clients is his favorite activity, he also stays regularly connected with his peers and new topics in the field of engineering and law as he is a member of over a dozen unique associations, institutions, bars, and programs across the globe.

Kenneth B. Dantinne, Attorney – Hamilton Stephens Steele & Martin, PLLC
Kenny Dantinne is an experienced commercial litigator with a focus on the construction industry. Within his construction practice, Mr. Dantinne’s representation has included owners, developers, and contractors, but he focuses upon representation of design professionals. Mr. Dantinne takes his role as a counselor seriously, including working with design professionals prior to litigation to continually assess and manage potential risks and minimize exposure during contract formation and throughout construction projects. If litigation becomes necessary, Mr. Dantinne is experienced in front of judges and juries in state and federal courts as well as arbitrators.

Laura Locklair, Shareholder, Managing Attorney – Boyle Leonard & Anderson, P.A.
Laura Locklair joined Boyle & Leonard, P.A. in 2017, and is the managing attorney of the firm’s Charleston office. Mrs. Locklair studied at the University of South Carolina School of Law where she was a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe. After gaining admission to The South Carolina Bar in 2008, she began representing owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers in connection with design and construction defect litigation involving commercial properties and multi-family and single-family residential dwellings. Mrs. Locklair also has experience representing companies, homeowners’ associations, and property owners in personal injury cases arising out of alleged construction defects and industrial accidents, title insurance claims, and insurance disputes. Mrs. Locklair now focuses her practice on the representation of policyholders relative to risk transfer issues in the commercial general liability context, insurance claim presentation, bad faith matters, and commercial and business litigation.

In 2015, Mrs. Locklair was nominated for and held a seat on the General Counsel Construction Law Section for the South Carolina Bar. She was selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2018, a peer designation awarded based on, among other cogent factors, professional achievement in legal practice.

Richard J. Storrs Attorney, The Storrs Law Firm
Richard J. Storrs practices law and serves as an ADR professional in Atlanta, Georgia, at The Storrs Law Firm. He has practiced construction law and commercial litigation in Atlanta since 1984. Mr. Storrs is known for being a creative and experienced mediator, focusing on resolving construction and commercial disputes. He also serves as a respected arbitrator in construction and commercial matters. Mr. Storrs also continues to represent clients in construction law matters, commercial litigation, and real estate issues. He also assists with forming and structuring organizations, drafting agreements, and avoiding disputes before they arise. Mr. Storrs has taught design and construction law since 2006 at Georgia Tech, and at the law schools at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. He has appeared at numerous seminars and has written extensively about construction law issues. His publications include authoring chapters since 2012 on no damage for delay clauses and surety law in the annual Construction Law Update. Mr. Storrs received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia, where he graduated with honors and served as a notes editor of the Georgia Law Review.

Jordan Teich, Attorney – Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP
Jordan Teich is a partner in the Charleston office of CSVL where her practice focuses primarily on Construction Litigation.  She represents suppliers, manufacturers, general contractors, sub-contractors and design professionals.  Jordan’s extensive background in insurance coverage litigation aids in the defense of those involved in claims involving property damage, personal injury, damages caused by design and construction defects and other disputes that can arise during a construction project.  

With considerable experience in maritime-related fields, including commercial, environmental, asbestos and benzene litigation, Jordan strives to build a maritime practice at Copeland Stair. Jordan has successfully led cases in the courtroom as first and second chair on bench and jury trials in both federal and state courts, and has presented successful appellate arguments before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 Jordan previously served as an Adjunct Legal Writing and Research Professor at her alma mater, Charleston School of Law, where she graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctor.  As a law student, Jordan received the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Arthur G. Howe Trial Advocacy Award and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ Harvey L. Golden Award.  She received her undergrad in Business Administration–Marketing from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. 

Allen West, Attorney – Hamilton Stephens Steele & Martin, PLLC 
Mr. West is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and South Carolina, and he practices primarily in the areas of construction, business litigation, real estate litigation, and bankruptcy. He regularly negotiates and drafts contracts for construction industry clients and provides practical counsel regarding risk assessment and claims avoidance. Mr. West also has substantial experience representing borrowers and guarantors in loan workouts and foreclosures, including the negotiation of loan modifications and forbearance agreements. Before joining HSSM, Mr. West was with the firm Kilpatrick Stockton. Prior to law school, Mr. West worked as a television reporter covering politics and government for WIS News in Columbia, South Carolina, and prior to that served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a noncommissioned officer. Mr. West also has experience as a senior executive for a leading lighting manufacturing company located in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. West is a frequent lecturer on various construction related topics including lien law, construction contracts, claims avoidance and public contracting issues, and he has been invited to speak to the UNCC School of Architecture, North Carolina Bar Construction Section, AIA, and design professionals. Mr. West was selected by fellow bar members for inclusion in Business North Carolina Magazine’s Legal Elite in construction law.

Attorney at Allensworth Law
Mr. Derner’s practice is based in Austin, and his deeply analytical mind, insatiable workethic, and exacting attention to detail fuel his review and analysis of complex construction contracts and his approach to resolving industry disputes. Mr. Derner’s practice centers mainly on professional services agreements for architects, engineers, and professional consultants, but regardless of the players, he scours each document to identify potential risks, untapped opportunities, and legal gray areas that can be leveraged during negotiation. With an appreciation of each clause and how the wider agreement operates, Mr. Derner preserves coherence and clarity in each document, using close review and analysis to help the partner in charge advance negotiations and close the deal on favorable terms for the client. As with the construction industry itself, details matter in construction law, and he thrives on untangling complex legal issues.

Founding Partner of the Law Firm of Gerstle Snelson, LLP
Since 1993, Mr. Gerstle has assisted participants in the design and construction industry assess risk, negotiate contracts, handle payment issues, evaluate change order requests, resolve claims, and litigate or arbitrate unresolvable conflicts. He provides advice, counsel and representation to clients throughout the State of Texas regarding many different types of projects. He has advised clients regarding federal, municipal, industrial, commercial, healthcare, multi-family, and single family residential projects in all the main metropolitan areas and many of the smaller towns and counties in the State. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Mr. Gerstle holds a professional engineer’s license in the State of New York. He worked as a structural engineer and participated in the design of long-span suspension bridges and hydroelectric power plants. As an engineer, Mr. Gerstle participated in the inspection of construction sites and the monitoring of construction and rehabilitation projects. He also prepared environmental impact and transportation impact studies for private developers and non-profit entities. Mr. Gerstle routinely presents seminars to clients regarding risk management techniques in the construction and design fields. He is a Member of the State Bar of Texas Construction Section. Mr. Gerstle has previously held the position of adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan University, where he taught courses in torts, legal writing, and intellectual property.

Representing a range of architects, engineers, and other construction professionals, he thrives on bringing various legal issues to a swift resolution and strongly believes in approaching the practice of law with a focus on client-service and communication. As a Board-Certified Construction Attorney, Mr. Pruden represents companies in the defense of professional negligence claims, project disputes, contract negotiation, fee collection disputes, employment issues, and TBAE/TBPE board complaint responses; having worked as primary counsel on hundreds of disputes, ranging from $10,000 to $51,000,000. In addition to litigation, approximately 40% of his practice includes the negotiation of contract documents, including a variety of delivery packages ranging from the traditional design-bid-build to design-build agreements, with extensive AIA, DBIA, and EJCDC experience. As a part of his review process, he works extensively with insurance brokers to ensure appropriate risk coverage, and with various banks and lenders to assist in project closing, primarily by negotiating acceptable language with contingent assignments for financing. As a member of the Texas Construction Bar and a National Allied Member of American Institute of Architects, Mr. Pruden is passionate about serving clients within one of the most important sectors of the American Economy.

Dr. Dawson recently retired as the Associate Vice President for Administrative Operations at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi where he oversaw facility operations, maintenance, grounds, custodial, and planning and construction as well as Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for the “Island” campus. His experience spans federal, state, county and local municipality projects including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Department of Defense (DoD) including the Naval Construction Battalion’s at Gulfport and Port Hueneme, Seabees, Navy Civil Engineer Corp, Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force Civil Engineers and RED HORSE units, in addition to higher education with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) University of North Texas System (UNTS) and Tarrant County College District (TCCD). Dr. Dawson has more than 38 years’ experience in urban planning, developmental programming, building and infrastructure design, construction and program management for a wide variety of capital investment programs and unique environments. He is a retired Air Force Civil Engineering officer with experience in the design and construction of numerous facilities supporting major weapon systems and the U.S. electronic security and space programs world-wide. Dr. Dawson is a registered architect in the State of Texas and a certified city planner. He is also a U.S. Green Building Institute Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) with experience in numerous sustainable projects. He has specialized mediation and disputes resolution training and experience directly related to the design and construction industry, successfully resolving construction claims based on errors and omissions, defective product or workmanships, scheduling deviations or Acts-of-God. Additional skills include preparation of specifications, bidding and construction plans, cost estimates, and bidding services related to federal and state contract requirements and processes.

John A. Gambill is a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He concentrates his practice in the area of construction law, regularly representing contractors and subcontractors nationwide. Mr. Gambill negotiates construction contracts, advises clients in risk mitigation and dispute resolution strategies, and represents clients in all phases of litigation in state and federal court, as well as before other various dispute resolution panels. He uses his litigation experience to assist his clients in anticipating potential legal issues, pinpointing contract provisions that are ripe for dispute, identifying risks, and appropriately allocating identified risks. These negotiations include both public and private owners on projects such as capital improvements and new construction of medical facilities, schools, mixed-use developments, various commercial structures, and heavy highway construction. Mr. Gambill’s government contracting practice focuses on representing contractors in contract negotiations and claims related to state and local construction projects. This part of his practice includes helping his clients throughout the RFP process when reviewing bid documents and responding to RFPs, including proposing modifications to the Contract Documents. Mr. Gambill is active in construction-related organizations, which allows him to stay abreast of the current issues and developments in the industry that affect contractors on a daily basis. He is a member of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (“BX”), the Associated General Contractors of Ohio, the Ohio Contractor’s Association, the Columbus Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee, and the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law

Christopher L. McCloskey is chair of Bricker & Eckler’s Public Sector industry group and is a partner in the Construction Law group. He focuses his practice on construction-related contracting and disputes, as well as general business and litigation. He is experienced in researching and drafting motions for construction lawsuits, preparing and reviewing construction contracts, construction claims, change orders, purchase orders, project analysis, mechanic’s liens, bid strategy and project coordination. He represents school districts with all facets of their capital projects with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Chris is a former staff attorney to Judge Nodine Miller of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, where he drafted legal opinions and managed the court’s civil docket. In addition, he worked as a district engineer for Economy Forms Company, designing steel systems to form concrete structures.

Ryan T. Smith is a partner at Frantz Ward LLP. He focuses his practice on employment litigation and labor relations. He represents management in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies in a wide range of matters, including employment discrimination, retaliation, and harassment, wage and hour disputes, including class and collective actions, and breaches of non-competition and other types of employment agreements. Mr. Smith also represents employers in traditional labor matters, at arbitrations and before the National Labor Relations Board. When not representing employers in active disputes, he counsels them on key employment decisions such as wage and hour compliance, leave administration, and terminations, and on various aspects of the collective bargaining relationship. He also drafts employment agreements and policy manuals.

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.

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.

Mr. 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.

Mr. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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.

Mr. 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.

Ms. Cortus joined the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota in August 2017. Her position as Associate Professor and Extension Engineer is to provide engineering expertise in the area of sustainable animal agriculture systems. Ms. Cortus was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering degree and PhD at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Cortus also has eight years of experience in a similar Research and Extension role at South Dakota State University. Her past and ongoing projects include measuring the air quality impacts of different manure management practices in swine, poultry, dairy and beef cattle barns, investigating additional microenvironment control for grow-finish pigs and cattle, and communication of sustainability metrics within and beyond the livestock industries. The broad mission of Dr. Cortus’ program is to work with producers and communities to understand and continually improve the quality and productivity of livestock environments. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Ms. Lathrop is licensed as a professional land surveyor in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, and as a professional planner in New Jersey. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and has been involved in surveying since 1974 in projects ranging from construction to boundary to environmental land use disputes. Ms. Lathrop is also a certified floodplain manager through the Association of State Flood Plain Managers (ASFPM) and a certified floodplain surveyor through the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors. A former adjunct instructor at Mercer County College in New Jersey, she has also taught as part of the team for the licensing exam review course at Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Lathrop has been teaching seminars for surveyors since 1986 and has been writing articles for surveyors since 1983. She is a contributing editor for The American Surveyor magazine, and she has four articles included in the American Bar Association’s text, Land Surveys: A Guide for Lawyers and Other Professionals. She and Stephen V. Estopinal, PLS, PE co–authored a book entitled Professional Surveyors and Real Property Descriptions: Composition, Construction, and Comprehension, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2011. She is also on the faculty of GeoLearn, a web-based educational provider. Ms. Lathrop is a past president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors and of the National Society of Professional Surveyors, and she has served on the Board of Directors for the American Association for Geodetic Surveying.

Mr. Hinson has 43 years of experience in engineering. He has provided a wide range of construction and facility-related services to clients including systems testing, design, failure analysis, code review and project management. Mr. Hinson has served as an engineer, plans examiner, building official and as a principal in an engineering firm. He is experienced in multi-disciplined engineering, power generation, construction, forensics and building code enforcement. Mr. Hinson’s experience also includes building teams of professionals, performing cost and benefit evaluations, developing and streamlining policies and procedures to improve unit skills, and coordinating process across corporate structures. Additionally, he has provided code compliance plans review, construction administration, special inspection services, lectures, instruction, and management.