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Our construction law practice encompasses all aspects of legal representation for property owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, insurers, sureties and other clients in connection with construction projects in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast region. We are well-known for our experience in this area, and several of our lawyers have decades of experience representing clients in construction-related transactions and litigation.

Construction projects literally shape the world around us. Yet, while the end product is highly-visible, much of the work involved in making these projects successful goes on behind the scenes. Contracts, insurance policies, liens, bonds, UCC filings, licenses, permits, zoning approvals, and efforts to resolve disputes before they threaten project timelines are all critical to the success of large-scale projects. The attorneys at Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn work closely with clients to ensure that they have the legal protections needed to undertake innovative construction projects. We take pride in seeing our behind-the-scenes work help shape the future of New Orleans and other cities in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast.

The firm’s construction practice group has been involved in many of the seminal construction law cases in Louisiana. Through active participation in local and national construction groups, including the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Industry, DRI construction law section, Association of General Contractors, and Association of Builders and Contractors, our attorneys remain informed of current legal developments and trends affecting the construction industry. Our attorneys are frequent lecturers at local and national construction seminars. Moreover, we have published numerous articles and publications relating to the construction industry, including the Louisiana Construction Law Handbook. Several members of our construction group have been elected as Fellows of American College of Construction Lawyers and consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of construction law. The firm has been recognized by Chambers USA as having achieved the highest rating of Band 1 in construction law in Louisiana.

New Orleans Construction Lawyers With Experience in Large-Scale Building Projects

Since 1979, we have played an integral role in numerous large-scale construction projects throughout the region. Our experience ranges from counseling builders involved with residential developments to representing financial institutions in litigation arising out of major commercial building projects. We also have significant experience representing contractors during the bid process and construction of state and federal government buildings. Over the years, our attorneys have had a hand in the construction of:

  • Commercial office buildings
  • Industrial plants
  • Warehouses and storage facilities
  • Hospitals
  • Residential properties
  • Condominiums
  • Federal and state development projects
  • Public buildings
  • Roadways
  • Sports and entertainment venues

Our Construction Law Practice

Our New Orleans construction lawyers represent clients in transactions, regulatory and administrative matters, informal dispute resolution, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and litigation. We focus on providing strategic, results-oriented representation that helps our clients achieve their goals while keeping construction projects on time and on budget. Our services include providing legal advice and representation in the following matters:

Contract Drafting and Negotiation

We represent clients with respect to drafting and negotiating all contracts related to the construction process. From financing agreements and supplier contracts to agreements between developers, contractors and subcontractors, we offer transactional representation based on decades of experience negotiating similar types of agreements and representing clients in construction contract litigation. Our lawyers are highly knowledgeable about the general and construction-specific issues involved in these transactions, and we work together with our clients to ensure that we are securing appropriate protections in light of the facts and circumstances at hand.

Public Contracting and Bid Challenges

We regularly represent clients in connection with state and federal public contracts, from bid preparation to contract performance. Our lawyers have a comprehensive understanding of the rules and regulations that apply during the state and federal bidding processes, and we have significant experience challenging bid awards that violate agencies’ public duties. In addition to advising clients regarding general bid and contract matters, we have experience with Miller Act litigation and other issues that are unique to government contracting.

Fidelity and Surety

Fidelity and surety issues are involved in multiple aspects of the construction process. We represent sureties and claimants in connection with liens and privileges, payment and performance bonds, financial institution bonds, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, indemnities and various other fidelity and surety matters. Our services include assisting with the filing of liens, privileges and security interests. Fidelity and surety issues are unique and often highly complex, and our lawyers have the experience clients need to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.

Insurance Coverage and Disputes

Insurance coverage is integral to construction as well. We represent insurers, policyholders and third-party claimants in all construction-related insurance matters. This includes advising clients regarding insurance coverage needs (including general liability, errors and omissions, and professional liability coverage), negotiating insurance provisions in construction contracts and other agreements, representing insurers and insureds in coverage disputes, and handling first-party and third-party insurance claims on behalf of claimants and insurers.

Permits, Licenses and Approvals

Our construction lawyers routinely advise and represent clients with regard to permitting and licensing requirements, zoning and land use issues, and other types of approvals. We assist clients with due diligence evaluations of project needs, as well as apply for permits, licenses and other approvals. We also represent our clients in administrative proceedings and litigation involving denials and appeals.

Construction Litigation

Our litigation practice covers all types of construction-related litigation. While our lawyers have impressive trial and appellate records, we seek to favorably resolve our clients’ disputes before trial whenever possible. By utilizing leverage to take advantage of mutual interests to negotiate settlements, and by providing effective representation in mediation and arbitration, we are frequently able to resolve our clients’ disputes in ways that minimize legal costs while also mitigating any project-related costs and delays.

In addition to handling disputes that arise specifically in connection with construction projects, we represent our clients in various other forms of litigation as well. For example, we routinely advise and represent clients regarding disputes in the areas of:

  • General commercial litigation
  • General real estate litigation
  • Insurance coverage disputes
  • Labor and employment disputes
  • Professional liability litigation
  • Tort (personal injury and wrongful death) litigation
  • Energy and environmental litigation