Jonathan Berjikian is a Senior Associate at Baker Law Group LLC, where his practice focuses exclusively on construction and design law. Drawing on his background in civil engineering, Jonathan utilizes his practical knowledge of construction to help his clients find efficient, practical solutions that keep projects moving forward. Since joining the firm in 2022, he has represented architects, engineers, design-builders, interior designers, contractors, developers, project owners, non-profit organizations, and institutional investors during every phase of a project, from contract negotiation through project completion and dispute resolution.
Before earning his J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, Jonathan obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UCLA, where his passion for the built environment first took shape. His engineering background continues to inform his legal practice today, allowing him to anticipate issues that others might overlook and to craft contracts that are not only legally sound but also practically workable in the field.
Jonathan takes a holistic approach to contract review and negotiation and project delivery method selection, endeavoring to ensure that each agreement allocates risk to the parties best equipped to manage it, aligns with insurability standards, and supports the client’s business objectives. To date, Jonathan has negotiated over 200 construction and design contracts totaling well over $1 billion in estimated construction costs, including many of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) most widely used standard forms. He is deeply familiar with the AIA’s suite of construction and design agreements, from traditional owner–architect and owner–contractor agreements to design-build, consultant, and subcontractor agreements, and routinely customizes them to address project-specific risks and needs as well as prepare template agreements suitable for a wide range of projects.
Jonathan is also actively involved in the administration of large construction projects. He assists owners in reviewing payment applications, negotiating change orders, and liaising among contractors, owners, design professionals, and construction escrow agents to keep projects moving forward, all in an effort to minimize the potential for disputes and to quickly resolve them when they arise.
Beyond his transactional work, Jonathan represents clients in design and construction disputes, including payment and performance disputes, contract claims, and lien litigation. He drafts, prosecutes, and defends against mechanics liens and regularly guides clients through the resolution of complex construction-related conflicts.
In addition to his client work, Jonathan leads Baker Law Group LLC’s innovation and technology initiatives, exploring how emerging tools and creative pricing models can modernize legal service delivery. He is at the forefront of the firm’s efforts to develop flat-fee and alternative billing arrangements that align cost with value and increase predictability for clients.
Jonathan’s publications have appeared in outlets including the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLS) and LexisNexis.
