Our Blog
Our blog, Column and Beam, features articles from our attorneys regarding design and construction matters.
Should Your Firm Require Non-Compete Agreements?
You invest a lot of time and money developing business, training your employees, introducing them to your firm’s clients and supporting them. When an employee leaves for greener pastures, you do not want that investment of time and money to go to a competitor down...
When Should You File a Lien or Sue to Get Paid?
Everyone who works in the construction industry has worked on a project and frustratingly not been paid for their work. We frequently receive calls from contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers who have not been paid for work on a job and want to sue...
FAA Removes Obstacles to Commercial Drone Operations
On August 29, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new guidelines regarding the commercial operation of drones became effective. The guidelines represent the FAA’s first comprehensive regulation of drones and are primarily found in Part 107 of the FAA...
Should You Include a Waiver of Punitive Damages in Your Next Contract?
Having a well-drafted contract is one of the most important acts you can take to minimize your risks on a building project. As such, you should consider including a waiver of liability for consequential and punitive damages in your next contract. The importance of...
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Paid
You work hard for your client on a Project. You need to get paid for your services on time. Here are tips for improving your chance of getting paid on time. 1.1 Know your client. There are some firms who might hire you as a consultant who are notorious for not...
Risk Management – Communicate Often and Professionally
“Well, I called him again today and got the FU button!” “I know, I am so tired of this SH%^&T!” How would you like either of those messages to be blown up on a big screen at a trial or presented to the President of your firm in a deposition? Yet, those are real...
Managing Risk – The Lead Design Professional and Scope of Services
It sounds easy, doesn’t it? You know the services that you plan to provide on a Project and everyone else does too. Well, they might until there is a dispute and everyone is pointing fingers about who had responsibility for some minor item on a Project. Defining...
Minimize Your Risk by Conducting Quality Site Visits
Conducting site visits during construction allows design professionals to manage and minimize risk if they are properly conducted. However, if site visits are not properly handled, they can expose you and your firm to additional risk. Here are some ideas for...
A Well-Drafted Contract is a Design Professional’s #1 Risk Management Tool
It should be no surprise to any design professional that the number one way to manage your professional risk is to insist on having a well-drafted contract signed and in place before starting work on any project, no matter how small the project. Yet, time after...