Disputes can arise at any stage of the construction process, from commitments at a project’s start to fundamental disputes over performance after its completion. Andrews Kurth lawyers have represented many contractors, engineers, architects, insurance companies, tenants, purchasers and sellers in the residential and commercial construction industry litigation. Because our clients typify all key participants in the construction process, we offer comprehensive counsel encompassing:

• The full range of issues – not only construction law, but related concerns involving land use, eminent domain, real estate, environmental and public law;
• All types of projects – whether single residential units or complex commercial building developments in which numerous parties have a stake; and
• Nationwide litigation experience – including state and federal courts in Texas and across the country.

Representing claims involving contractors and suppliers

Our lawyers represent general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and construction managers in lawsuits involving allegations of defective construction in large commercial projects such as hospitals, office buildings and condominiums. These often-lengthy cases typically involve numerous plaintiffs and defendants, multiple technical disciplines and large volumes of technical drawings and designs. Our approach is to rely on our practical industry knowledge as well as our strength in relevant areas of law. For example, we drew on engineering and product liability arguments to successfully defend an electrical products supplier against allegations that its products had overheated and caused fires.

We work with our clients to preserve and analyze all project documents and correspondence, including change orders, to identify the responsibility for defect and design claims. This thoroughness is essential to achieve the best outcome. In one protracted case, our lawyers represented a builder in defective construction claims involving an office building. The insurance company for the office complex settled the suit with the owner on our client’s behalf before trial, then filed suit against our client to recover the alleged loss. The matter was ultimately resolved with the insurance company on very favorable terms for our client.

Handling claims involving developers and owners

Andrews Kurth has handled a variety of construction cases on behalf of developers and owners of residential and multi-family properties. We have represented developers in defending construction defect claims brought by dissatisfied single-home buyers and by renters in a major apartment complex. We also represent developers of condominium projects in similar multi-party construction disputes. And when homeowners face construction defects, we have pursued their litigation against the builder, designer, engineer and subcontractors.

Tremendous damages established professional reputations and emotional commitments are often at stake in construction disputes. Andrews Kurth lawyers understand the issues from the perspective of all parties at the table, and realize that contractors, developers and owners each have their own interests – and an equal stake in the outcome. We know how the construction industry works, understand where responsibility rests and give our clients straight talk about the best way to protect their reputations and their investment.