I Am A Member Of The American Institute Of Architects (AIA) Because… I truly care about the profession. On the one hand, yes, I am a lawyer who makes money from representing architects, among other disciplines. On the other hand, I consider myself a trusted advisor to the individuals and firms in this industry, someone who can really help guide and manage the necessary legal aspects of every firm and project from start to finish, and through litigation if necessary, so the design professionals can focus on what they do best. I do not know of one architect who really wanted to be a lawyer instead!

I am one of the founding partners of W&D Law and have been a construction lawyer for over 24 years.

I have represented and represent some of the largest and most prestigious design, construction, and project/construction management firms in the global A/E/C community, many of whom consistently rank among Engineering News Record’s Top 500 firms. My experience includes complex litigation, mediations, arbitrations, and trials at the State and Federal Court levels and in tribal courts, as well as claims and risk management and extensive contract creation and negotiations on multi-million and multi-billion dollar public and private projects involving every type of delivery method and legal issue, including but not limited to delays and cost overruns, project suspensions, terminations, contract breaches, Force Majeure events, liens, property damage, catastrophic personal injury and death claims
on construction projects and post-construction due to alleged design and construction failures.

I have handled virtually every type of design and construction matter and legal issue in my career and work closely with clients and insurance carriers around the globe to effectuate consistently-successful results.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned?

This is a loaded question! But, related to my legal representation of architects, there is simply no substitute for attention to detail and preparation from the beginning of every project, contract, and case.

Where will you be in 20 years?

Still practicing law. I am incredibly fulfilled with my niche, endlessly interested in the legal issues and cases
I am involved in, and very proud of my law firm and what we’ve accomplished for ourselves and the A/E industry.

What person, living or dead, would you most like to talk with?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I had the pleasure of meeting her and talking with
her briefly when I was sworn in to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States years ago. I wished we had more of the most
precious commodity – time.

How can architects provide “value add” to their clients?

Architects already provide such tremendous value to their clients, but unfortunately,
sometimes the value goes unrecognized or unappreciated.