We represented an owner in a dispute with a design-build firm. Our strategy centered on the firm’s failure to comply with requirements for either design firm registration in Illinois, a requirement triggered by the engineering services included in the firm’s contract scope of services, or exceptions which allow design-builders to evade registration. We successfully argued that the design-builder’s non-compliance invalidated its contract with our client, exposing the firm to significant liability, causing it to capitulate and refund significant dollars to our client, avoiding litigation.
