March 2017 – Construction Law

Techniques to Maximize SDI Coverage and Streamline the Claim Process

Mar 14 2017

Newark partner Christopher Barbarisi was published by Construction Executive magazine on the topic of “Techniques to Maximize SDI Coverage and Streamline the Claim Process.”

Design-builders, general contractors and “at risk” construction managers are all vulnerable to the risk of a subcontractor default. Aside from contract-related safeguards, such as increased retention, joint checks and letters of credit, subcontractor surety bonds have been the traditional mechanism for third-party risk transfer.

First introduced in the mid-1990s, subcontractor default insurance (SDI) provides a viable “first-party” insurance alternative to traditional surety bonds. To compete with surety bonds, SDI policies are heavily marketed as having a more efficient claim processes. In practice, the SDI claim process is not without its challenges. Effective techniques can be employed to streamline the process and keep the project funded and on track.

To read the full article on Construction Executive, click here.

Pennsylvania’s New “State Construction Notices Directory” and the Implementation of Significant Changes to Pennsylvania’s Mechanics’ Lien Law

Mar 06 2017

By William D. Wickard, Erin D. Fleury

Important changes to Pennsylvania’s Mechanics’ Lien Law recently took effect on December 31, 2016, with the launch of an online State Construction Notices Directory. These amendments to the Mechanics’ Lien Law (which were passed by the Pennsylvania legislature in 2014) modify the process and deadlines applicable to subcontractors, contractors and owners with respect to mechanics’ liens on projects costing over $1.5 million. In short, these amendments require subcontractors to comply with an earlier lien notice requirement by providing a “Notice of Furnishing” within 45 days of beginning work or providing materials if the owner has filed a “Notice of Commencement” to the online directory with respect to a “searchable project” prior to commencement of work on the project.

To read the full alert on K&L Gates HUB, click here.

Dispelling the Myths of Lean Construction and IPD

Mar 02 2017

By Justin L. Weisberg, K&L Gates, Chicago

The text of this article first appeared in the December 2016 issue of SubStance, a publication by the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association.

Over the last year we have witnessed a successful Congress in Chicago by the Lean Construction Institute, a growing number of projects adopting Lean Construction Processes (“LCP”), in Illinois, and the recognition of the completion of at least one significant project in Illinois, which utilized Integrated Project Delivery (“IPD”). Nevertheless, I have perceived that there is confusion in the industry relative to LCP and IPD based upon comments made at presentations given by practitioners in the construction industry, who have not been involved with, or studied Lean Construction. The following article provides a brief overview and a comparison of LCP and IPD to address the myths created by some of these comments.

Archive:March 2017