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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
Cosmetic Defects Found to Be Basis for Termination of Contractor for Default
In the construction world, many of us lawyers talk about what is known as a material breach in order to support a termination of the contract. In other words, the event that…
Best Practices Construction Law
Provide Notice (and 10 Other Tasks) When Pursuing a Construction Claim
When dealing with construction claims—whether one for construction defects, outstanding payment, or delay damages—an initial hurdle is making sure that proper notice has been given. Generally, you have to make…
Best Practices Construction Law
Risk or Reward? Using Drones on Your Construction Project
In this week's issue of ENR, technology writer Luke Abaffy details the use of drones by Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to conduct bridge inspections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDPlOCQVjMc We've all seen the…
Best Practices Construction Law
Integrity in Contracting: Lessons From A Young Princess
Essays are a great way to teach lessons. In our house of seven children, it seems that almost every day is an “Essay Day.” Last week, when caught in the middle…
Best Practices Construction Law
ATTN: Federal Contractors, Beware of Harassment and Discrimination on Construction Sites
"Did you hear the one about . . . ?" Of course you have. We have all heard the racial and discriminatory jokes at the work place. If you are…
Best Practices Construction Law
Tony Piazza and Eric Green: Ask The Experts Any Mediation Question!
When it comes to identifying the best mediators in the country, Tony Piazza and Eric Green are at the top of the list. And, on October 8, 2015, they will…
Best Practices Construction Law
Have You Served As A Construction Arbitrator? Click Here!
As you may know, I am the Co-Chair of the upcoming Construction ADR Summit (pdf) sponsored by the American Bar Association's Forum on Construction Law to be held on October 8-9,…
Best Practices Construction Law
Real Estate Development and Construction Contracts: What You Need to Know
Noted author and business attorney Peter Siviglia once said: "In this world, … there are two forms of writing: creative (such as novels, plays, and poetry) and expository (such as treatises, letters,…
Best Practices Construction Law
Which Insurance Carrier Is Responsible for Damages on a Construction Project? Depends.
There are multiple types of insurance coverage for the various risks on a construction project. However, when there are multiple insurance carriers covering the same risk (i.e., general liability, builder's…
Best Practices Construction Law
What the Supreme Court’s Decision on the Same-Sex Marriage Ban Means to Contractors?
Absolutely nothing! ... to contractors that is ... but to employers ... a different answer. Okay, so the Supreme Court recently ruled that state laws banning same sex marriage are…