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Matthew DeVries
Best Practices Construction Law is a legal blog authored by Matthew J. DeVries, a shareholder at Buchalter, a full-service business law firm with offices across several U.S. states. The blog focuses on legal issues and best practices within the construction industry, covering topics such as risk assessment, claims management, contract drafting, project management, technology in construction, alternative dispute resolution, and legal trends. It provides analysis and commentary relevant to contractors, developers, owners, and other stakeholders involved in construction projects, including public infrastructure and commercial developments. The content aims to address practical problems and solutions encountered in construction law and project execution.
482 published works
Best Practices Construction Law
Top 14 Most Common Scheduling Mistakes by Contractors
Many delay, disruption, and loss of productivity claims are lost or substantially reduced in value because mistakes, errors and carelessness are reflected in the original schedule and plan of operations.…
Best Practices Construction Law
Eeeek! What To Do When You Find Bones or Human Remains On the Construction Site?
Last month, authorities in Suffolk, Virginia were investigating a construction site where human bones were found. Forensic experts were called in to excavate the site and determine whether they were…
Best Practices Construction Law
LOL! OMG. HUH? Court Finds That Text Message Can Form Binding Contract
In the world of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, it is no secret that individuals are communicating regularly on their smartphones about their business affairs. Recently, a court addressed the question…
Best Practices Construction Law
Subcontractor’s Failure to Strictly Comply With Notice Provision Costs $200,000
Whether you are an owner, contractor, subcontractor or supplier, you will want to read the rest of this post since it illustrates precisely what all those attorneys have been telling…
Best Practices Construction Law
Top 7 Factors Affecting Labor Productivity Losses On A Construction Project
Construction labor is always in the news. Last month, I wrote an article for the Nashville Business Journal challenging industry leaders on how to respond to the shortage of skilled…
Best Practices Construction Law
One Awesome Case Discussing The Difference Between Delay and Disruption Damages!
Rarely do you find a case that succinctly addresses a construction law issue. Today, one of my legal alerts pointed me to one such case dealing with delay damages and…
Best Practices Construction Law
Between A Rock and A Hard Place: How the Severin Doctrine May Relate to Your Statute of Limitations Period
I previously blogged about the rules relating to pass-through claims, where a prime contractor's recovery from an owner for damages suffered by its subcontractor is limited in certain circumstances. In the…
Best Practices Construction Law
Who Assumes the Risk of Material Cost Increases? As Always, It Depends!
When a client asks me about a particular contract provision and why it is "unfair" or "uneven", we began a discussion about risk allocation. You see, the contract is used…
Best Practices Construction Law
Public Owner Recovers Liquidated Damages Even After Terminating Contractor for Convenience
You can't have your cake and eat it too. That's no fun! Why even get the cake if you are not allowed to eat it? Recently, a court held that…
Best Practices Construction Law
Proceed Wisely, Ninja Contractor, Because Suing Your DOT May Have Limitations
No self-respecting Ninja goes into battle without a plan, right? You need to know your environment, your opponent and the rules of the battle. For you Ninja contractors, it's a…