We have extensive experience representing architects, general contractors, and construction consultants in connection with the design and construction of government buildings and civic infrastructure.
Our clients have worked on courthouses, police stations, fire stations, municipal office buildings, libraries, and public safety facilities, including projects exceeding 60,000 square feet and public contracts with professional fees of up to $850,000. Our work has involved both new construction and significant rehabilitation of publicly owned assets, sometimes on challenging sites such as former landfills.
Navigating Public Procurement and Compliance
In the government sector, our clients typically work for cities, counties, special districts, park districts, and state-level public owners. These projects are often subject to complex procurement rules, statutory constraints, and rigid contract forms. We help clients navigate these constraints and still protect their interests. Often, we have negotiated bespoke riders to government contract forms that could not otherwise be changed. In others, we have advised clients on how to comply with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) deadlines, qualifications-based selection statutes, or licensing rules that apply when pursuing government work across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience With Project-Specific and Master Agreements
Our work spans both project-specific and master agreements. We have negotiated:
We have also developed master services agreements and template contracts designed to preserve insurability and to reflect the design consultant’s proper role as a provider of professional services.
Dispute Avoidance and Risk Management
Because many of these projects are governed by public bodies whose leadership and staff can change mid-project, our work often involves dispute avoidance or early dispute resolution. We have helped clients get paid after a newly elected public owner tried to walk away from millions of dollars of commitments made by its predecessor. In other cases, we have used public records laws, meeting minutes, and governing board documentation to prove authorization and scope. We have also helped clients proactively respond to subpoenas, defend against administrative complaints, and negotiate favorable risk-shifting provisions when owners have asked to remove services like construction administration.
Strategic Counsel for Public Projects
Our government sector work reflects a sophisticated understanding of the political, contractual, and regulatory forces at play in public projects. We know that success in this space requires not only legal skill but also discretion, diplomacy, and strategic counsel.
Need legal guidance on government projects? Contact our team to protect your interests and ensure project success.
